Chapter 2

GABRIEL WOOD'S RESIDENCE,

A sudden crash shattered the silence, jolting Layla Wood from her thoughts. The sound of objects falling and breaking filled the air, sending a sharp wave of anxiety through her.

Layla Wood froze, listening intently, and her eyes widened in shock when she realized where the noise was coming from.

Without hesitation, she bolted toward the corridoronly to collide headfirst into a solid body. She stumbled, her balance lost, but before she could hit the floor, a firm arm wrapped around her, steadying her.

"Easy," a deep, familiar voice murmured, the warmth in it momentarily calming her erratic heartbeat.

The strong grip gently helped her regain her footing.

"He…," she started, but another loud smash interrupted her, snapping her back to reality.

Gabriel Wood reacted instantly, pushing open the door, and together, they rushed inside.

Their breath caught in their throats at the chaos before them.

Broken glass and spilled liquids glistened under the dim lighting, a picture frame lay cracked and discarded on the floor, while pillows had been tossed carelessly, their covers in disarray.

But what held their gaze was the empty space on the wall, where a massive LED screen was supposed to be.

Slowly, as if in sync, their eyes trailed downward to the floor, where the once-impressive television now lay in ruins, its glossy surface marred with cracks and jagged holes.

Layla squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back the tears welling up behind them.

"Is this all you can do?" Gabriel's voice erupted in anger. "Break things the moment you regain some strength?"

His words cut through the air like a whip.

"And to think I once admired your brilliance! What a fool I was to believe it would last. Look at you now, just a shadow of the man you used to be!"

His harsh words burned through the room, each syllable laced with frustration and disappointment.

Layla's eyes fluttered open, shifting toward Gabriel. "Stop," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Gabriel scoffed, then turned to the man slouched in the wheelchair. His stare was piercing. "I only spoke the truth."

Tears finally spilled down Layla’s cheeks as she gazed at the broken man before her. Asher Wood.

Gabriel sighed, running a hand over his face before gently wiping her tears away. "Don’t do this," he whispered, pulling her close.

She nodded but soon pulled away, slowly approaching Asher, who remained motionless, his back rigid, his gaze fixed on the enormous window ahead of him.

The sight of him pierced her heart like a thousand blades.

She crouched down before him, reaching out to take his hand, but the moment her fingers brushed against his, he flinched away as if burned.

"Leave," his voice, though quiet, was laced with a chilling coldness that sent a shiver down her spine.

She swallowed hard. "Ash, please—"

"Get out!" he roared, his voice raw with agony.

Before she could react, he grabbed the lamp from the nightstand, the only object left untouched in his rampage, and hurled it at her with frightening force.

"Layla, watch out!" Gabriel’s alarmed voice rang out.

She barely had time to react before the lamp struck her arm, crashing to the ground in shattered pieces.

Stunned, she stared at the broken remains, then slowly lifted her gaze to Asher, only to be met with his cold, lifeless eyes.

Gabriel rushed to her side, ignoring the shards of glass underfoot. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her away, his movements protective and urgent.

But just as he turned back toward Asher, he froze.

Asher’s eyes, bloodshot, hollow, and burning with pain, sent a silent warning.

"It's no use," Gabriel whispered to Layla, then gently guided her out of the chaotic room.

The moment the door clicked shut behind them, a deep, guttural growl resonated from inside.

In the sitting room, Gabriel eased her onto the sofa and quickly scanned her body for injuries. His gaze darkened when he saw the fresh blood seeping from her arm.

"You’re hurt," he muttered, then hurried away. Moments later, he returned with a first-aid kit.

With careful precision, he disinfected the wound, his brows furrowing in silent displeasure.

"This is getting out of control," he said, his voice calm but laced with frustration. "We need to consider an alternative. Maybe an asylum—"

"He’s not insane!" Layla snapped, fury flashing in her tear-filled eyes.

Gabriel exhaled. "We can’t wait until he becomes one."

"You will do no such thing!" she hissed, yanking her arm from his grip. "My son is depressed—not mad!"

Gabriel shook his head. "And what’s the difference? His depression is leading him straight into insanity! Layla, he’s my son too. Do you think I don’t care? I want what’s best for him!"

Layla shot up from the sofa, her fists clenching as she began pacing. "I told you to leave her alone!" she spat. "And now look what’s happened! The news is everywhere, Gabriel. Did you really expect him not to react?"

She buried her face in her hands, her body trembling with sobs.

"Gabriel, this is your fault! You should’ve never let her leave peacefully like the others!"

Gabriel’s jaw clenched. "I did what I had to do—to protect him! How was I supposed to know it would come to this?"

Layla let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "Sheila… You’re really something," she murmured under her breath before collapsing back onto the sofa.

She leaned her head against the cushions, staring blankly at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing heavily on her.

Gabriel watched her in silence, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. His gaze drifted down to her arm, and his breath hitched.

Blood. Her wound was still bleeding.

"Layla!" He rushed to her, grabbing her arm. "We need to stop the bleeding."

She glanced at the wound, then let out a tired sigh. Perhaps she had been so consumed by her emotions that she hadn’t even felt the pain.

Gabriel carefully cleaned the wound, his hands steady but his mind storming with concern.

"You’ve been crying for three years, Layla," he murmured. "But nothing has changed."

His words were meant to console her, but he immediately regretted them.

Layla’s head snapped toward him, her eyes blazing.

"Do you have to remind me how long he’s been like this?!" she shouted, her voice raw with anger and grief.

Gabriel exhaled, rubbing his temple. "I only meant—"

"Don’t!" she cut him off, her voice shaking.

Knowing he would only become the target of her frustration, Gabriel quietly packed up the first-aid kit and stood up. Without another word, he turned and left the room.

The moment he was gone, Layla let out a heart-wrenching scream, her body trembling with rage and pain.

Her voice echoed through the house.

"You will pay, Sheila!" she cried, her fury slicing through the air like a vow.