Love In Disguise: Rebirth of the Heiress Chapter 25

Kiara’s POV

I walked beside Gabriel, his arm brushing against mine as we strolled through the street, his tone oddly warm, overly familiar.

I could feel the fake concern radiating off him, and it made my skin crawl. His sudden niceness was nauseating, a pathetic attempt to act like he cared about after everything he’d done. I hated every second of it.

It hurts to know I was naive. Stupid. Young to have a crush on a scholarship student during my high school days. He was handso, tall and I was the nerd. He had noticed . The Williams heiress.

If only I knew that his goal was to use and leave for the dump.

"So, Kiara," he said,"I was thinking, maybe we could spend more ti together. You know, catch up on things... like old tis."

I bit back the urge to scoff. Old tis? He really thought this act would make forget what kind of man he was?

What he did to ?

No, this was all part of his ga, and I wasn’t about to fall for it. Not again. But I could play along—after all, I had my own ga to play.

I smiled up at him. "That sounds nice, Gabriel. I’ve... missed having soone to rely on. You disappeared on . Made feel as if you didn’t want anymore." I knew exactly what kind of response that would trigger in him. n like Gabriel thrived on the idea of being needed, of being the savior.

I bit my lips, looking at the ground, my arms wrapped around myself.

His chest puffed up slightly, as if he was already patting himself on the back. "Of course, Kiara. I’m always here for you. You just have to ask. You decided to push away from I thought you didn’t need anymore. " He reached out, placing a hand on my back in what he probably thought was a comforting gesture, but I had to resist the urge to shrug him off.

I smiled again, softer this ti, making sure to keep him on the hook. "Actually, there is sothing..." I paused, just long enough to pique his interest.

He turned to , his brow furrowed in concern. "What is it? You know you can ask for anything."

Good, I thought. Just what I wanted to hear.

I sighed dramatically, lowering my gaze to the ground as if I was embarrassed. "I... haven’t been doing too well, Gabriel. You know, financially." I could feel him hang on my every word, and I continued, my voice soft, almost vulnerable. "Things have been tough since... well, you know I have you the last money in my account. My house is falling apart. I’ve been trying to make ends et in that sa old apartnt."

Gabriel’s face softened with a mixture of pity and arrogance. "You’re still in that place? I thought you would’ve moved out by now."

I shook my head, letting my shoulders slump slightly. "I just... I haven’t had the money. But, you know, I’m getting by." Barely, I wanted to add, but I kept it unspoken, letting the image of my supposed struggle linger in the air.

Gabriel’s hand squeezed my shoulder in what he must’ve thought was reassurance. "Well, if you need anything—anything, Kiara—you can co to . I’d hate to see you struggle like that. I saw you dressed in those flashy clothes I thought everything was okay with you."

I giggled. "That, there is nothing original about that. I got it from those places especially the rich people dump their clothes."

He groaned, "Didn’t I tell you to avoid using those kind of places for clothes? What do you need for to stop?"

I had to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape. His kindness was almost laughable.

But I needed him to think I was still the poor, broken girl he used to control. "Actually, there is one thing I could use your help with," I said.

"Of course! Anything for my beautiful princess," he repeated, eager to play the hero.

I turned to him, looking hesitant. "I’m trying to make so extra money. You know, to get back on my feet. And I was wondering if you could... maybe put in a word for at that investnt company you always talk about? Just sothing small, a quick investnt opportunity. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate."

He smiled, clearly pleased that I was coming to him for help, as if this was exactly what he’d been waiting for. "Absolutely. I know a guy who handles quick returns, easy money. I can set sothing up for you."

Hook, line, and sinker. I smiled gratefully, letting him bask in his self-importance. "Thank you, Gabriel. I hope you don’t mind using your money to set in for . I have a feeling the stocks in that company would shoot up one day."

He grinned,"Anything for you, Kiara. You know that. I will share the account details with you when I talk to the guy."

He leaned in to kiss my forehead. The sa lips that had probably kissed Jessica’s more than once.

Jessica knew. She had seen that slap and probably recorded it, which ant she held so leverage over . But that was fine. I had set the news up not just to stir the pot, but to keep Gabriel distracted, to lay the groundwork for what was to co.

I had no interest in the Williams family, not really.

I didn’t need their na or their money to make sothing of myself.

But I’d use them.

I’d use Gabriel, Jessica, all of them to gain access to what they had hidden away from for so long—my mother’s ashes, the things they’d stolen when they cast out.

I would beco bigger than the Williams family, more powerful than they could ever imagine.

I didn’t need them for validation. I’d make sure they needed .

And this ti, I wasn’t the puppet. I was the puppeteer.