Chapter 132
Abigail had felt insecure about it before. After getting out of prison, she’d thought, ‘They don’t like me, so I won’t like them either.’ But everything seemed different now. Stephen was suddenly being nice to her, someone like Sebastian wanted to date her, and even Leon seemed interested. Abigail rested her chin on her hand, completely puzzled by it all.
That afternoon, Abigail walked out of Halden Group and saw Stephen waiting for her. Her expression immediately soured. She tried to walk around him, but Stephen stepped forward and blocked her path. “Why did you give Daniella the car I bought you? She doesn’t deserve something that nice.”
“You used to treat her so well, and now you’re treating her like garbage. You don’t actually think I’m going to be touched by this whole act, do you?” Abigail asked coldly.
“I’m not trying to impress you. I treated her well before because I thought of her as my sister. But now, I’m treating her badly because she lied to me and played with my feelings.” Stephen didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. “If someone betrayed you, would you just forgive them and keep being nice to them?” Stephen asked.
“That’s your business,” Abigail replied. She didn’t want to discuss this with him because it had nothing to do with her in the first place.
“Abby, my feelings for Daniella were real, which is why I’m so disgusted now. But my guilt toward you is also real, and that’s why I want to make it up to you.”
Stephen followed her, his voice urgent and desperate. “I know you hate me. I know you can’t stand me because I used to pick on you constantly. But back then, I didn’t realize Daniella was manipulating me. I was an idiot and I hurt you. Can’t you give me a chance to make it right?”
“There’s no point,” Abigail said coldly. When she’d first come back to the Gibson family and needed his support, all he did was help Daniella bully her. Now that she didn’t want anything from any of them, she certainly didn’t need his apology either.
“Abby, I really screwed up.” Stephen kept following her, his voice full of guilt and pleading. “Just give me one chance.”
“Why should I give you anything? Who do you think you are?” Abigail shot back. “Honestly, I find your arrogance absolutely disgusting. You think I’m going to thank you for what you’re doing to Daniella now? It was me before, now it’s her. Bottom line is, you just love bullying people. You used to bully me to make her happy, now you’re bullying her to make me happy.”
Abigail let out a cold laugh and looked at him with pure contempt. “Besides picking on people, what else are you even good at?”
She certainly wasn’t going to feel sorry for Daniella, who had it coming. But she wasn’t about to thank Stephen for any of this either. If anything, it just made her despise him even more.
Stephen felt a sharp pain in his chest when he heard her words, but then he said, “Just tell me what to do so you won’t find me annoying.”
Abigail rolled her eyes and started walking away.
“I promise this time will be different from before. No matter what happens, I’ll stand by you, okay?” Stephen called after her.
He knew he sounded desperate, but during his time in lockup, he’d done a lot of thinking. I was so cruel to her, he thought. “I really screwed her over when I forced her to take the fall for Daniella back then. I deserve to rot for that!"
“I don’t need your promises. I just need you to come clean about what you made me do all those years ago. Tell everyone the truth. You know I never wanted to do it, and I’ve been looking for a chance to clear my name ever since. Can you actually do that?” Abigail asked him.
This would mean sending Daniella to prison. The whole Gibson family would get dragged into it too, since they’d all be investigated for covering up the case. Abigail didn’t believe Stephen would actually throw Daniella under the bus.
“What if I told you I already asked Ralph to help you with this?” Stephen asked.
“I’ll believe it when I see results.”
Abigail started to leave but stopped and stared at him. “Stop following me around. It’s annoying. And I’m not broke. I can afford a car. I ride the bus because I like it. So quit giving me useless gifts. I won’t accept anything from you anyway.”
Abigail had spent three years in prison, and Stephen had been part of making that happen. If this were high school, he’d be the bully picking on her. And she’d actually hoped he would help her back then, but he’d rather see himself dead than lift a finger for her.
Why should I forgive him and accept his kindness just because he’s finally woken up? Abigail thought.
“Abby.” Stephen followed her, refusing to give up.
“You people ruined my life. I could have gotten into Vanguard University, but because of you, I never even went to college.” Abigail turned around, her eyes filled with hatred.