Chapter 294
In the eyes of the Gibson family, Abigail owed Daniella just for coming backโbecause Daniella had gone from being the real heiress to the adopted one because of her.
But none of that was Abigailโs choice. It wasnโt her who found the Gibson family. They were the ones who found her. They brought her home, only to treat her like she didnโt belong.
Abigail felt confused and thought, โIf they think Daniella is so perfect that she could take the place of their real flesh and blood, then why bother looking for me and bringing me back?
โWas it just so I could watch them spoil Daniella to her heartโs content?โ
The sarcasm in Abigailโs eyes was obvious, and it made Stephen furious. His face darkened. โIf you hadnโt been so reckless and selfish, Daniella wouldnโt have ended up in that mess.โ
โWhat mess?โ Abigail shot back.
Daniellaโs expression changed instantly. โStevie, todayโs Abbyโs homecoming. Letโs not bring up the past.โ She turned to Ralph. โRalphie, didnโt you say you wanted to meet my grandpa? Letโs go.โ
Ralph looked at Abigail, his eyes brooding and unreadable. โYouโre not coming?โ he asked indifferently.
Abigailโs eyes lit up. She answered almost instinctively, โI am.โ
Ralph gave a slight nod. โThen letโs go.โ
Abigail was about to follow when Stephen suddenly grabbed her arm. His grip was so strong it made her frown in pain.
โYouโre planning to show up like that in front of Grandpa? What, trying to tattle on us again?โ Stephen sneered.
Abigail didnโt think there was anything wrong with what she was wearing. At least it was clean and tidy. But when it came to seeing Wyatt, she didnโt want to argue with Stephen.
โI donโt have a change of clothes,โ Abigail said.
In prison, sheโd worn uniforms. She hadnโt been allowed to wear her own clothes. The dress she had on now was the same one sheโd worn three years ago. After being stored that long, it was faded and wornโunderstandably.
โCome with me,โ Stephen said, his gaze suddenly hard to read. Then he turned and walked away. Abigail followed behind him.
After three years, the villa had changed a lot, and everything felt unfamiliar to Abigail.
When they reached the second floor, Stephenโs expression shifted slightly. โYouโve been gone for three years, and no oneโs been using your room. We turned it into Daniโs walk-in closet.โ
Abigail paused for a moment, then gave a nod without much emotion. โGot it.โ
Her indifference, to Stephen, felt like she was giving him attitude again. He wanted to snap, but in the end, he knew they were in the wrong for how they had treated Abigail, so he held back.
With a grim expression, Stephen opened the door. Inside was an entire room turned into a walk-in closet. Transparent wardrobes lined the walls, filled with rows of clothes like a department store display, a clear sign of how much the Gibson family spoiled Daniella.
Stephen pulled out an outfit from a corner and tossed it to Abigail. โThese are clothes Dani doesnโt like. She doesnโt like anyone touching her stuff. You donโt need to return it after you wear it. If you donโt want it, throw it away.โ
Abigail changed and came out. The fitted sweater hung a little loose on her, but she adjusted it quickly and stepped out. โIโm done.โ
Stephen glanced at her, his expression hard to read. โLetโs go.โ
Abigail didnโt care about his cold attitude. Her heart was filled with excitement and nervousness at the thought of seeing Wyatt.
Stephen walked fast. Before Abigail could even catch up, he had already disappeared.
Abigail didnโt mind. She knew exactly where Wyatt lived. But just as she was about to step out of the villa, the joy bubbling in her chest vanished in an instant.
โAbby, youโre finally home.โ Her mother, Bianca Gibson, teared up the moment she saw Abigail and choked up.
Bianca reached out to pull her into an embrace, but Abigail stepped back to avoid her.
Biancaโs face fell. Her expression turned sorrowful. โAbby, are you blaming me?โ
Abigail didnโt understand why Bianca would ask that and thought, โAm I not supposed to blame her? They sent me to prison, made me suffer all that pain. Iโm not allowed to blame them?โ
โMrs. Gibson, Iโm going to see Grandpa.โ Abigailโs voice was slightly hoarse.
Bianca looked like she had been dealt a heavy blow. Her whole body swayed. โAbby, what did you just call me? You really are blaming me.โ
Tears streamed down Biancaโs face. Even crying like this, she still looked elegant and beautiful, only now with a touch of fragility.
When Abigail had first returned to the Gibson family, she used to really like Bianca. She thought Bianca was graceful, dignified, and kind.
Abigail had hoped so many times that Bianca would speak to her the way she did to Daniella, with gentleness and affection.
But the only time Bianca had ever treated Abigail with that same softness was when she made Abigail go to prison in Daniellaโs place.
Abigail thought, โWhat a joke.โ
โMom, why are you crying?โ Daniella rushed over, full of concern as she came to Biancaโs side.
Daniellaโs voice quivered with emotion, and her eyes turned teary just like Biancaโs. โAbby, if youโre mad, take it out on me. Just donโt make Mom this sad.
โSheโs been skipping meals and losing sleep over you. Sheโs already worn herself out. You may not care, but I do.โ
Bianca couldnโt bear to see the adopted daughter she had lovingly raised in tears. She wiped her own tears away at once. โDani, Iโm fine. Donโt cry, sweetie. Iโm okay.โ
โMom, Abby has every right to resent me. If it werenโt for me, she wouldโve gotten all your love,โ Daniella said, biting her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, looking heartbreakingly pitiful.
โThis isnโt your fault, Dani. Donโt overthink it,โ Bianca said patiently, comforting her. The two of them looked especially warm and close.