Chapter 14

The words “biological sister” sounded unbearably harsh.

She turned to Stephen. “Stevie, Mom’s right. Abby is your sister.”

Stephen saw how upset Daniella looked and felt a wave of sympathy. “So what if she’s my biological sister? You’re the only sister that matters to me, so don’t talk about her like that.”

“Mom, don’t listen to Stevie. I never wanted to take Abby’s place. I don’t want to leave,” Daniella said, her eyes full of dependence as she looked at Bianca.

Even though Bianca felt for Daniella too, Stephen’s words made Bianca uncomfortable.

Bianca was immediately overwhelmed with guilt. She thought, ‘Maybe I’ve been overthinking it. Dani grew up with us. Her feelings for this family run deep. Just like she said–she just doesn’t want to leave us. It’s Abigail who’s being stubborn, refusing to accept Daniella with an open heart.’

In Bianca’s eyes, both daughters were precious to her. She sighed and decided to have a good talk with Abigail. With that thought, Bianca pulled Daniella into her arms and gently comforted her, “I don’t want you to leave either. I’ll talk to Abby.”

Bianca went and knocked on Abigail’s door. Abigail opened it to see her standing outside. “Do you need something?” Abigail asked plainly.

Bianca said, “Abby, is it okay if I come in? I want to talk to you.”

A trace of sarcasm flickered in Abigail’s eyes. She didn’t need to hear it to know exactly what Bianca wanted to say. It would be the same thing Abigail had heard three years ago–get along with Daniella and make peace. She had no interest in hearing it again.

“No need, Mrs. Gibson. There’s nothing for us to talk about,” Abigail replied.

Just as she was about to shut the door, Bianca panicked and reached out. A sharp cry escaped her as the door caught her hand.

Abigail quickly opened it, but it was already too late. Red marks had already bloomed across Bianca’s delicate skin.

“We’re going to the hospital,” Abigail said.

She reached out to help Bianca, but just then, a figure rushed over and yelled, “What are you doing? Don’t hurt Mom.”

Abigail frowned and stepped aside in time. The person lunged at nothing and, in an attempt to steady herself, grabbed hold of Bianca’s arm. Bianca cried out again in pain.

Stephen had just come downstairs when he heard Bianca’s cry and immediately hurried over.

Abigail’s sudden dodge had almost ruined Daniella’s plan, but she quickly composed herself. As soon as Daniella regained her balance, she rushed to Bianca’s side and held her, glaring at Abigail. “Abby, how could you hurt Mom?” Daniella yelled.

Abigail looked at Bianca. “I didn’t. It was an accident.”

Daniella seemed unconvinced. “I saw it, Abby. You slammed the door on her hand. She was in so much pain, Abby, I know you hate me, but don’t take it out on Mom. If you must hurt someone, just hurt me instead.”

“No,” Stephen snapped.

“No way,” Bianca yelled.

The two voices rang out at the same time.

Stephen stormed over, fury all over his face. When he saw the red marks on Bianca’s hand, he raised his hand, ready to strike Abigail, but before he could, Abigail caught his wrist.

Stephen froze. Before he could react, Abigail shoved his hand away and said, “Like I said, it was an accident. Mrs. Gibson suddenly came to talk to me. I told her we had nothing to talk about. When I was closing the door, she suddenly reached in. Anyone with common sense would know not to stick their hand in like that. Mrs. Gibson, I don’t know what you were thinking. Why don’t you explain everything? Otherwise, Mr. Gibson might try to hit me again.”

Bianca’s face turned pale at Abigail’s words. “Stevie, it’s not Abby’s fault. I was the one who reached in.”

Stephen didn’t believe a word. He thought Bianca was just trying to cover for Abigail out of guilt. He sneered at Abigail, “Even so, you still owe Mom an apology.”

Abigail glanced at Bianca and said calmly, “I’m sorry.” Then she turned to Stephen. “Is that enough?”

That last part was for Stephen. His expression darkened as he was a little caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Abigail to give in so easily. Even after hearing her apology, he only felt a tight knot in his chest.

Abigail didn’t care what he thought. After apologizing, she went straight back to her room.

Once the door shut, Bianca let out a long sigh, her whole demeanor filled with a vague sense of loss, like something precious had slipped through her fingers. Not even Daniella’s sweet gestures could bring a smile to Bianca’s face.

“Dani, I’m fine. You’ve been at work all day. Go rest for a bit. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready,” Bianca said.

Daniella obediently left. Bianca looked at Stephen, and her voice suddenly trembled. “Stevie, were we too cruel to Abby?” Bianca asked.

Stephen instinctively wanted to deny it, but for some reason, he couldn’t. In his mind flashed the image of Abigail when they picked her up from prison- those cold, emotionless eyes, and the way she’d said she might as well be dead.

It felt like an invisible hand clenched around his heart, draining the color from his face. For the first time, Stephen wasn’t so sure. He thought, ‘Were we really too cruel to Abigail?’

Then Abigail’s words came back to him. Stephen asked, “Mom, three years ago, did someone from Vanguard University’s admissions office call you?”

Bianca wasn’t sure why he suddenly brought that up. But after thinking for a moment, she nodded. “Yes. But Dani didn’t want to go to Vanguard University, so I turned them down.”

Stephen’s breathing turned unsteady. “Mom, are you sure they were asking about Dani? Did you check the name?”