FIFTY-FIVE

GABRIEL’S POV

“Was all that really necessary?” Kiera’s voice sliced through the charged atmosphere as she stepped into the elevator behind me.

I could hear the edge in her tone, and for a split second, I thought about ignoring her. My anger still simmered, barely contained, and the last thing I wanted was to get into a debate right now.

I jabbed the button for my floor, my jaw set tight as I struggled to rein in my emotions. The image of her sitting in that car, laughing with that fool, replayed in my mind like an unwanted film loop. My fists clenched involuntarily at my sides, aching for release.

“Gabriel, I’m talking to you!” She insisted, moving closer, her frustration radiating off her.

Why does she always have to push me? I took a deep breath, trying to quell the storm brewing inside me, remaining silent.

“Are you really going to ignore me?” She pressed, her voice escalating. “Why do you get to decide who I can or can’t talk to?”

I turned to her, my patience thinning like a stre