Chapter 13

Leon shot Patrick a look. “What, you’ve never done that?”

Patrick didn’t answer. He just gave a sheepish smile.

The firewall issue wasn’t anything new. They’d tried finding outside help before, but none of it worked.

Timothy made the call. “Have Abigail come see me tomorrow.”

Leon asked, “What do we do now?”

“We’re done for the day,” Timothy said.

Technically, the firewall still needed testing, but Timothy didn’t fully trust Abigail yet. He decided to wait until tomorrow to ask her directly before testing it.

Abigail had no idea that just because she couldn’t stand by and do nothing, lending a quick hand ended up dragging the manager into it.

She was on her way back to Gibson Villa. As soon as the car stopped, Abigail got out and headed straight to the villa where Wyatt was staying. Just then, she saw Bianca walking out.

“How’s Grandpa doing?” Abigail asked.

Bianca looked a little anxious when she saw her. “Abby, where were you today? Stevie said you found a job. Can you tell me what it is?”

She just stared at Bianca. To Abigail, her job had nothing to do with the Gibson family. She wasn’t here to go back to them. She was just here to check on Wyatt.

Bianca looked a little hurt. She bit her lip but kept her voice gentle. “Abby, your grandfather just fell asleep. How about seeing him tomorrow?”

Abigail felt a little let down, but she didn’t want to wake Wyatt either. “Really?”

Abigail looked at Bianca, her eyes – so similar to Bianca’s – holding a touch of seriousness. It reminded Bianca of when Abigail first came back, how Abigail used to look at her with soft, trusting eyes.

Bianca’s heart melted, and her voice got even gentler. “Really. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Abigail nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Gibson.”

No matter what, since Bianca was willing to let her see Wyatt, Abigail felt she should at least say thank you. But the way Abigail called her “Mrs. Gibson” made Bianca’s eyes instantly well up with tears.

“Abby, are you still mad at me?” Bianca asked.

Abigail didn’t want to keep going in circles on a question with no answer. She no longer saw the Gibson family as her own. To put it plainly, if it weren’t for Wyatt, she wouldn’t have stepped foot inside Gibson Villa again – not even once.

That was why she would never call Bianca “Mom” again. It wasn’t out of resentment. Abigail just didn’t see them as her family anymore.

“I’m heading back to my room.” Abigail ignored Bianca’s question and turned to leave.

Halfway there, a car drove up and stopped directly in front of her, blocking her path.

The door opened, and Daniella got out, walking up to Bianca with cheerful steps. The moment she saw Bianca’s teary eyes, her expression shifted. “Mom, why are your eyes all red?” Daniella asked.

Then Daniella turned to Abigail. “Abby, did you upset Mom again?”

Stephen had just gotten out of the car and immediately frowned at Abigail when he heard that. “What did you say to Mom this time? Abigail, what are you trying to do?”

Daniella bit her lip. “Abby, if it’s because of me, then I’m sorry. If you’ve got a problem, take it out on me. Don’t say anything that’ll make Mom upset again.

“You have no idea how many times she’s cried because of you. I don’t want to see her cry anymore.”

Her words moved Bianca so much she could barely hold back her emotions. “Dani, this has nothing to do with you. It’s me who let Abby down,” Bianca explained.

“No, Mom, it’s because of me,” Daniella said.

The two of them kept pushing the blame onto themselves, full of mother–daughter affection.

If this had been before, Abigail might’ve felt hurt watching this. But now, all she felt was irony.

“As long as I get to see Grandpa, I’ll leave right after.” Abigail’s voice was calm, but the seriousness behind it made Stephen furious.

“What, are you trying to threaten us?” Stephen snapped. “Fine, go. Just don’t come back once you leave.”

Abigail nodded. “Okay. I want to see Grandpa.”

Daniella’s eyes flickered, and her voice came out soft and pitiful. “Abby, I know you want to see Grandpa, but you can’t say things like that. It really hurts Mom. What if Grandpa hears and thinks we’re trying to kick you out on purpose?”

Stephen gritted his teeth. “You’re so manipulative, Abigail.” He’d almost agreed to let her see Wyatt just now.

“Grandpa isn’t feeling well. He can’t have visitors.” Stephen’s eyes were filled with spite. He thought, ‘She wants to see him? I’ll make sure she can’t.’

Abigail stared coldly at Daniella and thought, ‘She’s the one who wants me gone the most. So what’s this act now?’

She didn’t believe for a second that Daniella had grown a conscience. Her thoughts quickly ran through the real reason, and then landed on the engagement.

Abigail mused, ‘No wonder. If she wants to take my place in that engagement, she’ll need both Grandpa and Ralph’s grandfather to agree. Is she scared that Grandpa won’t approve?’

Abigail took a deep breath, forcing down her anger. She knew she wouldn’t get to see Wyatt today.

Without another word, she turned and left. Daniella watched her walk away, smugness flashing in her eyes even as her voice stayed soft and disappointed. “Mom, is Abby mad at me?”

Bianca wrapped an arm around Daniella, gently comforting her, saying, “No, honey. One day, Abby will understand how kind you’ve been to her.” Stephen let out a cold snort. “And what right does she have to be mad at Dani? Ever since she came back, has this house had one peaceful day?”

Bianca felt uneasy listening to Stephen complain and finally spoke up, “Stevie, Abby is your biological sister. How can you say something like that about her?”

Chapter 14