Chapter 13 Not long after that , her grandmother passed away . Gabrielle met Leonardo . Their feelings blossomed during that life - and - death hiking trip , and she followed her grandmother's last wish , staying in Boston to marry Leonardo . With that , she personally brought her dance career to an end . The girl who once shone so brightly was now trapped in a castle with no light , suffering and struggling in the darkness . She longed for Leonardo's love as desperately as parched earth craves rain , seeing him as the only light in her life . But in the end ? That passionate love ultimately ended up rotten and decayed . Fortunately , as she looks back now , it's not too late . This time , she will step onto the stage again and reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to her . " Nicholas , I want to keep dancing . " If there's somewhere you want to go , what's wrong with knocking twice on the door ? Seeing the starlight reflected in her eyes , Nicholas was momentarily Chapter 13 stunned . He nodded gently . " Alright , let's dance . Once you're healed , we'll keep dancing , and I'll accompany you on the piano . " 288 Vouchers Gabrielle broke into a smile through her tears and reached out a hand to Nicholas . " Alright , it's my honor to have Mr. Harlan , the piano virtuoso , as my accompanist . " The man chuckled softly and gently clasped her fingertips in return . He and Gabrielle had always been the most in - sync partners . *** Boston . " You mean , it's five years later now ? " Leonardo's astonished voice came from the back seat , as he looked at the unfamiliar scenery outside the window , frowning . " So that means , I'm already married to Gabby ? " " Then we must have kids by now ! Mathew , I'm a father , right ? " His heart suddenly raced , and overwhelming joy colored his eyes and brows like a splash of vibrant ink . Mathew silently turned the steering wheel , opening his mouth but saying nothing . Then he heard the anxious voice from the back seat , " What about the blood on the engagement ring ? Did something happen to Gabby ? " The car fell into a dead silence , with only Leonardo's rapid breathing 07963.7 Chapter 13 remaining . 288 Wouchers " Mathew , say something ! What happened ? Did I do something wrong and upset Gabby ? Tell me first , so I can apologize to her . " Mathew suddenly slammed on the brakes , stopping beside a vast field of charred ruins . " We're here . " He pushed open the car door and got out as if fleeing , standing not far away , smoking desperately . The smoke blurred Mathew's face , and only then did he dare to let his eyes quietly redden . Five years ago , he met Gabrielle through Leonardo and was deeply attracted to this bright and bold girl . The three of them became close friends who shared everything . Later , when they got married , Mathew sincerely wished them well and then left for another country to inherit his family's overseas business . But unexpectedly , when he returned , everything had changed . Looking at Mathew's lonely and dejected figure , Leonardo was suddenly overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of panic . He slowly turned his head and looked at the charred ground . " Mathew , what is this place ? " He heard his own voice , dry and hoarse . " This is your home with Gabrielle , " Leonardo's pupils trembled slightly . " What ? " 177-3603 Chapter 13 He stared at the ruins , eyes wide with anguish . " Then where's Gabby ? Where is she !? " Mathew exhaled heavily , his voice trembling . " The police said the fire was too intense . She didn't make it out . " " Shut up ! " Leonardo roared , " I don't believe it ! You're lying , you're lying ! " 288 Vouchers He frantically opened the car door , tumbling out from the back seat and crashing heavily onto the gravel - strewn ground . He crawled toward the ruins on hands and knees . " Gabby can't be dead . They must have made a mistake . How could my Gabby be dead ! " Large beads of sweat streamed down from his hair . Leonardo muttered as he mechanically dug through the charred debris , piece by piece . " Gabby , where are you ? " The smell of burning made his eyes sting , and a bone - chilling cold filled his entire body . " I'm too late , I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... " Sharp stones and concrete quickly tore his fingers open , but he seemed to feel nothing , numbly repeating the same motion . Mathew tried to stop him , but was shoved aside forcefully . " Get out ! " 62525 Chapter 13 288 ( Vouchers Leonardo's eyes were bloodshot . " Are you all crazy ? Why didn't you save her ! She must still be alive ! " He dug even more desperately through the collapsed ruins , his hands bleeding profusely , the wounds deep to the bone . " Enough ! " Mathew shouted angrily , landing a heavy punch on Leonardo's face . Choking with emotion , he screamed , "Leonardo , do you really think the fire was an accident ? " " She killed herself! Faced with those fierce flames , she didn't even struggle ! She had already given up on living ! " In "A Lady Hard to Please" by CrushReels, a single mother makes a poignant return to the city she fled seven years ago. Her mission: to secure treatment for her son's leukemia, setting the stage for an emotional journey of love and resilience amidst past heartbreak. As her ex-lover reenters her life upon hearing of her return, old wounds resurface, sparking a complex web of emotions and decisions that delve deep into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the enduring power of love. This modern romance novel stands out for its raw portrayal of familial bonds tested by adversity, offering readers a compelling exploration of human strength and vulnerability. With a captivating blend of heart-wrenching moments and tender revelations, "A Lady Hard to Please" promises a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a tale that transcends boundaries and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.