Chapter 224

Sebastian listened quietly without interrupting.

“When I was sentenced, Ralph was sitting in the courtroom. I told him I was innocent, but unfortunately, he didn’t believe me,” Abigail’s voice grew softer. “That’s when I realized he never really cared about me at all.”

The movie credits rolled across the screen at that moment.

“I’ve never had my heart broken,” Sebastian said gently, “but I know what it’s like to lose someone important. Maybe it’s similar.”

Back then, she had suffered from being wrongfully imprisoned and from the betrayal of someone she cared about. But he had suffered too, losing sleep night after night because of what happened to her.

“It’s all in the past now,” Abigail whispered. “I can’t even remember exactly how it felt anymore. I just know I don’t want to fall for someone so carelessly again.”

She did feel something different with Sebastian. But those feelings only reminded her that she wasn’t good enough for him.

When she first joined the Gibson family, she’d believed being their biological daughter made her worthy of Ralph. Now she understood how foolish that thinking had been.

And here she was again, in a similar situation.

Abigail had learned her lesson. Becoming the Gibsons’ biological daughter hadn’t made her equal to these born aristocrats.

Sebastian was exceptional, and the Robinson family would surely want him with someone from his own world.

In wealthy families, love was never simple.

Abigail and Sebastian had become regulars at all kinds of social events. She knew it was only a matter of time before the Robinson family elders came calling.

When she’d been chasing after Ralph, Elena had dropped hints about this very thing. Back then, Abigail hadn’t paid attention.

Reality had slapped her hard across the face. She’d learned that when dealing with an exceptional man, she needed to be exceptional herself to be worthy of him.

Sebastian had no idea what was going through her mind. He wanted to tell her that he hadn’t actually met her because of the Halden Group project. But before he could speak, Abigail stood up. “I’m going to my room to rest,” she said.

“You really have no thoughts about this?” Sebastian asked.

“I think things are fine as they are. Once we get to know each other better, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision,” Abigail replied.

“Alright.” Sebastian stood up too, his tone as casual as always.

“Can I still come here in the future?” Abigail asked.

Sebastian maintained his typically laid-back demeanor. “Didn’t you say you wanted us to get to know each other? That means spending time together. How else would we do it?”

They each retreated to their rooms.

After closing the door, a faint smile lingered on Abigail’s face.

As she walked past the mirror on her way to the bathroom, she caught sight of her reflection and paused. Her eyes sparkled with a light she hadn’t seen in ages. The woman looking back at her seemed genuinely happy, almost carefree.

Am I really this happy just from being with Sebastian? The thought struck her with surprising force.

She raised her hand to touch her face, then murmured to herself, “Take it slow. No need to rush.”

Love was meant to unfold gradually. Two people learning about each other, discovering if they fit together before taking the next step. That was how Abigail had always believed it should work, and she wasn’t about to change her approach now.

When she left the office that afternoon, Stephen was already waiting by the car. She spotted him immediately.

She hadn’t gone back to the Gibson family home after yesterday’s drama. By now, they were probably all holding grudges against her. Not that it mattered anymore.

When Stephen saw her, he immediately straightened up and walked over. “Grandpa asked me to pick you up.”

Abigail didn’t respond but got into the car anyway.

As they drove, Stephen kept stealing glances at her through the rearview mirror.

When they stopped at a red light, he finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “Abby, you were home the day Daniella had that fight with Mom. Didn’t you hear anything?”

“No,” Abigail replied coldly.

Stephen nodded and continued carefully, “Mom wants to marry her off to Tristan. The guy really likes her, though he’s not much to look at. His family’s in the jewelry business – pretty wealthy actually. But Dani refused, and that’s what started the whole argument.”

Abigail’s thoughts drifted to Helen. She’d wondered before if Tristan might be Helen’s son, and now it seemed almost certain. Even after Helen had crossed Sebastian, she still wanted to forge ties with the Yanis family.

There was only one explanation Abigail could think of. It was exactly the kind of thing she’d expect from Daniella – the daughter Bianca had raised.

“Actually, we convinced her today,” Stephen went on. “But Mom says Mrs. Yanis has offended Sebastian. So Mom’s thinking is to send Daniella away completely, out of sight, out of mind.”

He continued, “And she wants you to talk to Sebastian and ask him to stop targeting the Yanis family’s business.”

Abigail let out a cold laugh. “Why should I?”