After Divorce Billionaire Ex Found Me Pregnant (Leonica and Gabriel)

"Where the hell have you been?" Was the first thing Leonica was greeted with when she walked into her house, followed by Owen's worried face. "Eight hours, fifty three missed calls and its just now you're showing up.' "I'm so sorry Owen. I went to the church to meet with Florence but then Irene called and-"

Her explanation was cut short when Owen came in front of her and grabbed her chin, eyes darkening at the sight of a bruise on her cheek.

"Who did this?"

"Owen-"

"I said who did this to you?" He repeated and she sighed.

"Irene."

"Your half sister?" Owen spat and Leonica nodded.

"She's the one that kidnapped mom, but don't worry, I was able to rescue her."

"Rescue her?" Owen mumbled, it even sure where to start tackling Leonica from the explanation she had just given him.

She was late because she went to rescue her mother from the clutches of her half sister and she also got the bruise on her face whilst doing that.

Which meant he had no route to tackle her from.

Deciding to leave it be, for now at least, Owen signed and asked. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No, no. I'm fine. You can stop worrying."

"Good." He whispered and wrapped her into his arms, pulling her flush against him. "You really worried Ashley and I."

"I'm sorry,"

"It's alright. You did good." He said and pulled away, gazing at her with a gentle smile. "But next time, please inform me before doing anything dangerous."

"Will do," She promised and leaned up, placing a kiss on his lips. "Where's Ashley?" She asked as she slipped out of his hold and walked towards the kitchen. "Sleeping," Owen answered.

"And Grace?"

"She had to leave early because of a family emergency."

"Oh, alright."

Owen watched her make her way into the kitchen, pulling out a box of ice from the fridge and placing it against her face.

"Come," He held out his hand for her. "Let me help you."

Leonica gladly placed the box into his palm, a small smile playing on her lips as he gently placed it against her cheek, being cautious so as not to hurt her. "Thanks,"

"Anytime,"

The silence that ensued was comfortable and peaceful. Only the sound of the air conditioner and the faint buzz of the city life from outside filled the space.

After a little while, Owen was done with the ice therapy. "You feeling better?" He asked after the ice had been returned to the freezer.

Leonica nodded, her cheeks hurting slightly, but not too much to be a bother. "Thanks again."

"Anytime." Owen said as he walked up to her and pecked her lips before heading for his scarf. "I should get going, it's pretty late." He explained when Leonica continued to watch him with confused eyes. "Can't you stay over?"

"Would love to, luce mia, but I have to do a little revision but left my materials at home."

"I see," She pouted and he chuckled.

"I can come right back after getting them." Owen offered but Leonica was quick to reject the offer, not wanting to street the blonde any more than she has. "No, it's alright."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Night."

"Night."

With those words, he made his way out the door, leaving Leonica alone.

She sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter, the tiredness finally settling in. She was beyond exhausted.

She had had one hell of a day, but it wasn't over yet.

"Shit."

Leonica cursed when she felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket. It was a call.

Without even bothering to check the caller ID, she answered the call. "Hello?"

"Leonica," It was Gabriel. Leonica contemplated hanging up the phone, considering what he had done, but decided not to.

"What do you want, Gabriel?" She asked, her voice cold as ice.

"For us to meet and talk."

"Talk?" She scoffed. "About what? How you placed Your damn assistant on me like a guard dog? Or the fact that you didn't tell me that your memories were back?"

"You're angry, I get it," Gabriel said and Leonica could almost hear remorse in hi voice. "But hear me out, please."

"There's nothing to hear from you,

Gabriel." Leonica said as she walked to her room, smiling when she

spotted Ashley fast asleep in heret

bed rather than in his room. "I gave you a second chance, you messed it up so why should I listen to you

now?"

"I know," Gabriel paused and took a deep breath. "But just, give me this last chance. Let's just meet, one last time."

Leonica was about to turn down his offer when she spotted the scarf he had given her some time back, along with the wrist watch he had brought for her the day she sprained her ankle.

It was wise to return all those, right?

"Fine," She gave in, walking towards the scarf and holding it in her hands as she searched for a bag to pack it in. "I'll meet with you."

"Thank you so much, Leonica," There was obvious excitement in his voice, but Leonica didn't bother pointing it out.

"An hour from now, let's meet in the park."

"See you there."

With those words, she ended the call. She placed the phone on the bedside table and gathered his scarf and gift into one bag.

She was serious when she told Gabriel she was cutting ties with him, so there was no point in holding onto his gifts.

It's not like she was going to ever need them.

Leonica arrived at the park five minutes earlier than the agreed upon time.

She got off her car, immediately spotting Gabriel who sat on the bench.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw her and he stood up, welcoming her.

"Thanks for coming," He said.

"Don't thank me, I just came to return these." She shoved the bag into his chest and if only took a few seconds before he recognized the things in them. "This is my scarf," He said and then looked at the watch in the bag. "And this is the wrist watch I bought for you."

"I don't want either of it." She simply said, crossing her hands and waiting for him to return the items.

"Why?" He asked.

"You know why, Gabriel."

"Yes, and I'm sorry for my actions, so please, don't cut me out." He pleaded with an almost desperate tone, one that made Leonica's heart skip a beat.

She had never heard him sound so broken.

"What do you want me to do then, Gabriel?" She questioned, the frustration obvious in her voice. "Forgive you? Just like that?"

"I know what I did was wrong, and I'm not asking you to forgive me right away, but at least try and let me explain myself. That's all I ask."

She didn't reply.

"Leonica," He pleaded and took a step towards her, only for her to move back. "Please."

"Fine," She spat, looking at him with an unimpressed expression. "You have thirty seconds, say something that'd give me a reason not to completely cut you out of mine and Ashley's life." Gabriel sighed, knowing very well that there was nothing he could tell Leonica right now that would make her change her mind.

But he still needed to say something, anything that could increase the chances of him remaining in Leonica's life, even if it meant as a friend.

"I'm sorry," He began, his eyes boring into hers. "I... I'm so sorry for what I did, Leonica, I'm ready to suffer whatever punishment, but please don't cut me out of your life."

Leonica watched his familiar expression, instantly being reminded of how she had begged him to love her five years ago.

She shook her head. "You're messed up, Gabriel. And so am I and that's more the reason why we should end whatever exists between us, before it fucks up Ashley's life."

Gabriel's heart broken at her words. He didn't want to lose her, even after everything he had done. "Leonica-" He took a step forward and she took one of hers back, holding her hand out. "Don't make me punch you, again."

Even if he wanted to, Gabriel didn't say anything else, but his expression was enough to tell Leonica the pain he was feeling at that moment.

Knowing it all too well, the pain of an unrequited love, she sympathized with him for only a second, before finally being convinced that her fate wasn't with Gabriel.

Lilia had been wrong.

"I won't stop you from seeing Ashley. We'll regulate his visiting schedule between ourselves, but don't expect anything more than that, Gabriel." She turned around to head for her car, but stopped after a single step.

"And don't stay hung up on me, it'd be quite the inconvenience to see grandma scolding me for breaking her grandson's heart in my dream." With that she walked back to her car and got in, driving away without even sparing a glance at Gabriel and it felt good.

For the first time in a while, Leonica felt like she had made the right decision, coupled with the fact that Irene had been handled and she was happily engaged to Owen, it made her life feel like the clouds were shiting rainbows.

Something that she could very much see herself getting used to now that all the hurdles has been removed from her life.