Owned By Mistake

Next to Gilbert, a stunning woman stepped out of the car. She moved with elegance and confidence. Her figure was eye-catching, curved in all the right places, with full breasts and wide hips that swayed with every step. Compared to Cherry, she looked like a ripe, glamorous fruit ready to be picked.

The woman leaned toward Gilbert and said something in a soft, almost seductive voice that made Cherry's stomach twist.

Suddenly, Cherry felt very small. She remembered what Gilbert told her not long ago, how he didn't want her getting involved with another man until their annulment was final. And yet here he was, with someone else.

She had lost sleep over his warning, worried he might come after her. But now she saw it clearly. Maybe he didn't care at all. Maybe she was the only one taking it seriously.

"Shall we?" Elijah asked kindly, flashing her a smile.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Cherry nodded and kept her head down as they walked. She didn't want Gilbert to notice her. She didn't want to see his reaction or risk another cold glare. Nothing good ever came out of crossing paths with him.

The restaurant was elegant and warm, with soft lighting and classic Italian music playing in the background. Everything from the tiled floors to the antique decor gave off a rich, romantic feeling.

They were guided to a cozy corner table. A waiter approached with a cheerful smile.

"Good evening, Sir, Ma'am. What would you like to order?"

"Same as usual, for two," Elijah answered calmly, like a regular who didn't need to look at the menu.

"All right, sir. Please wait a moment," the waiter said before walking away.

Cherry blinked, a little impressed. "You're really amazing, Brother Elijah. You understand Italian?"

Elijah turned to her and smiled.

Cherry frowned. "What does that mean?"

He chuckled and leaned back in his seat, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Secret," he said playfully.

Cherry frowned and laughed. "What a lie."

They were both chuckling softly when Cherry's smile suddenly faded. From the corner of her eye, she saw Gilbert walking past their table, with that same beautiful woman beside him. Cherry quickly bowed her head and gripped the edge of the table, afraid he might see her.

Her chest tightened, and her stomach twisted from nerves.

Gilbert's eyes, sharp and searching, swept across the restaurant, and for a second, they landed near where she and Elijah sat.

Cherry held her breath, heart racing.

Just then, the waiter arrived and poured red wine into their glasses. The moment broke. Gilbert turned away, and a second later, he was gone. Cherry could only assume they had reserved a private room.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief, though her hands were still trembling under the table.

Elijah noticed her pale face. His brows furrowed with concern. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"H-Huh? I'm probably just hungry," Cherry lied, forcing a smile. She didn't want to tell him the real reason why her heart was acting up.

Elijah nodded and gave her an encouraging smile. "Don't worry. The food will be here soon." Then his tone softened as he remembered, "You said you wanted to talk about Luke?"

Cherry nodded. She shared everything, from the accident to Luke's condition at the hospital. She also explained what the doctor had told her about possibly transferring her brother to a rehabilitation center. She wanted to know if it was the right thing to do.

"I think the doctor's advice is right," Elijah said thoughtfully. "With his condition now, it's better to bring him to a rehab center where they can really focus on his recovery. Also, if he stays in the hospital longer, the bills will just keep adding up. At least in a center, there are programs and agencies that can help with the cost."

Hearing that, Cherry felt a wave of relief wash over her. At least now she had a direction, something she could do.

Tomorrow, she would start looking for the right rehabilitation center for Luke.

"But do you still have enough money?" Elijah asked gently, concern slipping into his voice.

Cherry hesitated.

According to Luke's doctor, the rehab center was affordable, but it still required a down payment. Around fifty thousand pesos, he said. Luke's hospital bill had already climbed to one hundred fifty thousand pesos because of all the tests. But after Cherry spoke with social welfare, it was reduced to seventy thousand.

She had two hundred thousand saved up. That meant if she paid the bill and the rehab deposit, she'd have just enough left over. Still, she had hoped to repay Gilbert immediately. That didn't seem possible anymore. Not when Luke needed her.

Cherry clenched her jaw. She didn't want to owe Gilbert any more than she already did. Every time he opened his mouth, it was to insult or belittle her. But for Luke, she'd take it all.

Elijah noticed the cloud of worry on her face and gently placed his hand on hers. "Don't worry. I'll help you. I'll give you whatever you need."

Cherry quickly pulled her hand back and shook her head. "N-No. I have money," she said firmly.

"You don't even have a job yet. Where'd you get that kind of money?" Elijah asked, frowning slightly.

Cherry paused, then forced out a quiet lie. "I borrowed it from... an acquaintance."

Elijah didn't push. A few seconds later, their food arrived, and the conversation drifted elsewhere. The warm smell of herbs and cheese filled the table. Cherry slowly relaxed, enjoying the meal.

Until her eyes caught movement near the stairs.

The woman from earlier, the one with the perfect curves and soft voice, was walking down with Gilbert right behind her. Cherry froze and instinctively bowed her head. She didn't want to be seen. Not again.

She focused on her plate, trying to act normal.

Then, without warning, a waiter nearby spilled wine as he poured it. The red liquid splashed across Cherry's clothes, staining the front of her blouse.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," the waiter said, bowing in panic.

"It's okay," Cherry replied quickly, offering a tight smile. She stood up and quietly excused herself.

Inside the comfort room, she turned on the faucet and dabbed at the stain with a tissue. The red color smudged, and she bent over the sink, trying to scrub it off with water. She was so focused on cleaning that she didn't notice someone entering.

As she turned to leave, she bumped into something solid.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, "

She looked up.

And her heart stopped.

Cherry froze the moment she saw who it was. Her mouth was still open, but no words came out.

Why did it have to be him? Of all the people in the restaurant, why was it Gilbert Ace Carter standing in front of her?

She thought he had already left with that woman. What was he still doing here?

Was fate playing tricks on her?

"What?" Gilbert asked, his tone flat but heavy, as if he were looking straight through her. "Why are you looking at me like you've seen a ghost?"

The dim lighting in the hallway made his face seem even darker, more serious. Cherry instinctively took a step back, her throat tightening. She glanced around, looking for an escape, but the hallway was narrow and the only way out was behind him.

Still, she gathered her courage and stepped forward.

"P-Please let me pass," Cherry said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.

But Gilbert didn't move. Instead, he stepped closer, planting both hands on the wall, trapping her between his arms.

His body blocked the light behind him, casting a shadow over Cherry's face.

"How far have you gone with that man?" he asked.

His voice was low. Dangerous.

Cherry couldn't meet his eyes. She could smell the fresh scent of mint and the clean scent of his cologne. Her chest began to throb. She hated that she still reacted like this around him.

Because she stayed quiet, Gilbert took it as an answer.

He had seen them earlier outside the restaurant, Elijah's hand brushing Cherry's arm, the box in her hand, their soft laughter. Then he heard them mention money.

He had convinced himself not to care. But here he was.

"You said you wanted to rely on your own efforts," Gilbert said, his tone sharp. "Is this what you meant? Clinging to a man like a leech just to earn something?"

He tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

Cherry's hands balled into fists. Her cheeks were burning, not with shame, but with anger.

"Brother Elijah is someone I respect," she snapped. "And he's not dirty like you think."

Gilbert frowned. "You were hugging earlier, and now you're telling me he's your brother?"

Cherry's ears turned hot. "When did we hug? Brother Elijah doesn't even lay a finger on me!"

Gilbert's hard expression seemed to soften slightly, but his voice remained cold. "I'm just reminding you. A man doesn't give something for nothing. Sooner or later, you'll have to give back what was given."

Cherry stared at him, confused and angry. "And what does that have to do with you?"

She could handle being insulted, but dragging Elijah into it, someone who had never done anything wrong to Gilbert, crossed a line.

"Mister Ace Carter, we're married on paper, but we're strangers. Why are you interfering in my personal life?" Her voice was tight, low, but every word was firm. "I think it's you who should be avoiding me."

Gilbert's eyes darkened. For a second, he looked stunned, as if her words had hit deeper than she expected. Maybe he thought she was just trying to get his attention. Maybe now he was realizing she wasn't playing games.

But Cherry suddenly felt nervous when she saw the way he was looking at her. His stare was sharp, almost dangerous.

"I, I was just saying, "

Before she could finish, Gilbert suddenly leaned down and kissed her.

It wasn't gentle.

It was harsh, demanding. And worse, he bit her lip softly between kisses, like it was some kind of punishment.

"W-What... stop... why..." Cherry tried to speak, but her words broke between his lips. Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to push him away, her hands pressing against his chest.

She was scared someone might walk by and see them. Elijah could still be in the restaurant. What would he think if he saw this?

But Gilbert didn't stop.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her even closer, ignoring her struggle like it meant nothing.

To Gilbert, this annoying little mouth was like fruit juice, soft, warm, and sweet. Cherry's lips were fully claimed by his breath, and he didn't spare even the tip of her tongue. He sucked, licked, and bit her gently but with force. Just like always, he kissed her boldly, like he owned her.

Then they both froze when they heard footsteps.

"Cherry? Are you there?" Elijah's voice echoed down the hallway, his tone full of concern. She had been gone too long.

Cherry's body tensed. Her heart started to throb with panic. She moved her hand to push Gilbert away again, but like before, he didn't budge.

Elijah's voice came closer. "Cherry? Is everything okay?"

She wanted to disappear right there. Her face flushed with shame. If Elijah saw this, if he misunderstood, she didn't know what she'd do.

But Cherry didn't realize that a large potted plant next to the comfort room entrance was partly hiding them. Unless someone looked directly through the leaves, they wouldn't notice what was going on.

Desperate to break free, Cherry bit Gilbert's lip, not too hard, but enough to make him stop.

He pulled back slightly, eyebrows raised. "You bit me?"

Her voice trembled. "W-What are you doing, Mister Ace Carter?"

But again, he didn't let her finish. His lips came crashing down on hers for the second time, deeper this time. Hotter. More demanding. His kiss claimed her fully, while one arm gripped her waist tightly, pulling her body against his like he was afraid she'd run.

Cherry struggled for breath. Her heart was racing, her mind in chaos. She wasn't even sure how much longer she could resist him.

Just then, Elijah turned the corner.

He slowed down when he saw a tall man kissing someone in the hallway. The woman was mostly hidden by the big plant, her face not visible from where he stood.

Thinking it was a couple sharing a private moment, Elijah quickly turned around.

"Sorry, bro," he said quietly and walked off without another glance.