Chapter 138: Trying to Understand
Abigail cared about no one anymore. She disregarded Sean's prestige and Cornelie's words.
"She doesn't know how to do anything," Cornelie criticized disdainfully. "What can she achieve outside? With a capable husband like you, she's still insistent on earning a meager salary. Only people from the countryside have such poor mindsets."
Sean used to dismiss Cornelie's words about Abigail. But now, as he listened, he felt them like thorns in his heart.
"Grandma, have you always talked to her like this?" he asked.
"Why? Did I say anything wrong? We've spent thousands feeding and clothing her, and she's never given us a child," Cornelie muttered.
He replied indifferently, "I've said I don't want kids. Why are you making things difficult for her? Why did you ask her to come back today?"
His anger was evident. Cornelie stammered, "I-I found a doctor to treat her."
"It won't help. I don't want a child," he said coldly, hanging up.
Perhaps Abigail's impatience stemmed not only from Sean, but also from three years of resentment he'd ignored. Cornelie's harsh words, coupled with his initial suspicion of Abigail's motives, had led to a pattern of mistreatment he'd become accustomed to. He couldn't understand her experiences.
As soon as he hung up, Colby called.
Sean answered to Colby's furious outburst: "Have you been cheating? Did Abigail find out?"
"I didn't cheat!" Sean immediately denied.
"Abigail has been obedient, working tirelessly at home for three years. Now she's gone out to work. What kind of husband are you? Are you stingy? Don't think I don't know how much you've spent on Joan!" Colby roared.
"She's just working; it's not a crime. We don't have children, and she wants to pursue her dreams. What's wrong with that?" Sean retorted.
Colby gritted his teeth. "She'd better be pursuing her dreams."
The call ended, leaving Sean frustrated. He sent Abigail a message: "Do you know what you've done? I got scolded by Grandpa!"
Unable to focus, he constantly checked his phone. Abigail, meanwhile, worked nonstop until 9:00 PM, when she saw Sean's message. She called him back, but he hung up after a few seconds. She chuckled, unbothered to call again.
A few minutes later, Sean returned her call, feigning normalcy. "I was busy. Can't you call twice?"
"What did Grandpa say?" she asked directly.
She'd considered the impact of her actions on her grandmother and Sean, knowing they were maintaining a façade for the elders. But anger had broken her promise.
"When will you be back?" He dismissed his grandfather's words, fearing Abigail's reaction if she learned about Joan.
"About six days. If you want to see a doctor, you probably need it more," she replied, determined not to consider having a child.
"I'll see a doctor and get some pills. Want to see if they're effective?" He teased.
Her cheeks flushed. "Idiot. What's gotten into you?" she whispered.
"We agreed to a façade. My grandma has a weak heart. Politely decline if you can't come back, or just call me," he said.
She bit her lip, wondering, Is he changing? "I understand," she replied.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Looking at the unfamiliar streets, she replied, "Broham."
"Okay." He then asked, "Grandpa misunderstood me. Aren't you going to say something?"
"What? Do you think it's my fault because I didn't answer my phone?" she countered. "You're good at finding excuses."
"I didn't say it was your fault. We made a promise, and you broke it," he said slowly.
Feeling guilty, Abigail softened. "When I get back… I'll make you something nice, okay?"
Sean's voice lightened. "Okay."
After hanging up, she felt strangely relieved. Back at her hotel, she rested, showered, and prepared to go out. Then, she received a location-sharing request from Sean. To her surprise, he was very close.