Stephen’s expression shifted, though deep down he still felt furious. “Mom, Abigail did it on purpose. It’s not like she can’t talk. Couldn’t she just ask?”
“Stevie, we’re the ones who let Abby down.” Bianca’s eyes were full of sorrow. She opened her mouth like she wanted to say more.
Abigail lowered her gaze, acting like she hadn’t seen a thing. She had no use for late apologies, especially the kind that felt like crocodile tears.
“I’m going to my room.” With that, she turned and headed back to the maid’s room.
The next morning, as soon as Abigail came downstairs, she heard Daniella’s sweet voice. “Abby, did you sleep well last night?”
Daniella was walking down from the upper floor, her gaze landing squarely on Abigail, laced with undisguised malice. “You looked like you did. I mean, even a servant’s room has to be much better than a prison cell, right?”
Abigail stepped out of her room and closed the door behind her. She had, in fact, slept quite well—peacefully, even.
Because of that, she had no interest in starting the day arguing with Daniella. If Abigail had time, she’d rather go visit Wyatt.
“Abigail, stop right there.” Daniella rushed after her. Abigail’s indifference made her feel completely ignored and humiliated.
As she stared at Abigail’s back, Daniella’s eyes turned vicious. Daniella thought, ‘After three years in prison, she still has the nerve to come back. I won’t allow it. Everything in the Gibson family belongs to me.’
But Abigail completely blocked out the noise behind her. Her eyes were fixed on the house just one villa away—that was where the person she cared about most lived.
She picked up her pace. Just as she reached the gate, some servants stopped her.
“I’m Abigail Gibson. My grandfather lives here. Are you sure you want to stop me?” Abigail asked. She had a feeling these servants knew exactly who she was.
The servants exchanged looks. One of them spoke up, “Ms. Abigail Gibson, Mr. Stephen Gibson gave strict instructions—no one else is allowed inside without his permission.”
Daniella walked over and gently explained, pretending to be considerate, “Abby, Grandpa isn’t doing well. Stevie gave the order to keep visitors away so Grandpa can rest. These servants are just following instructions. You don’t have to make it hard for them.”
The servants quickly said, “Ms. Daniella Gibson, are you here to see Mr. Wyatt Gibson too? Mr. Stephen Gibson said you can go right in if you want to visit your grandfather.”
Daniella smiled faintly. She stepped closer to Abigail, lowering her voice. “I can let you see Grandpa. All you have to do is promise me one thing.”
“What do you want?” Abigail looked up, her eyes brooding, like they could see straight through Daniella.
Daniella looked away in a panic. She caught sight of someone approaching and suddenly leaned in closer, her voice barely audible, “I want you to leave the Gibson family and never come back.”
Abigail didn’t even need to think. She was ready to refuse. She didn’t care about the Gibson family. But Wyatt was here—she couldn’t walk away.
Suddenly, Daniella let out a sharp scream and stumbled back. Abigail instinctively wanted to grab her. But just as Abigail reached out, a furious voice shouted, “Abigail, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Stevie, it’s not Abby’s fault,” Daniella said quickly, supported by the rushing servants.
Stephen looked at Daniella, her face pale with fear. He thought, ‘Dani can barely keep her balance, yet she’s still trying to defend Abigail—while Abigail’s out here acting like a menace, trying to shove her.’
“She just tried to hurt you. How is that not her fault?” Stephen turned to Abigail. “Abigail, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
He shot Abigail a sharp glare, then rushed to Daniella’s side, checking her over anxiously.
Daniella bit her lip, her eyes rimmed with tears. “Stevie, I’m fine. Don’t blame Abby. It’s my fault. If she hates me, I deserve it.”
Stephen frowned, clearly frustrated. “Dani, you’re just too kind. We can’t let this go.”
“Abigail, apologize to Dani,” he said sternly. He thought, ‘Even if Abigail feels wronged, what does that have to do with Dani? Ever since Abigail came back, she’s been picking on her. Dani’s just too kind to stoop to her level.’
“I didn’t push her,” Abigail explained herself calmly.
Stephen’s anger flared. “I saw it with my own eyes. You’re really going to keep lying? If you don’t apologize, don’t even think about seeing Grandpa.”
Abigail’s eyes turned cold. Stephen knew how much she cared about Wyatt. He was using Wyatt to threaten her.
Abigail looked at Stephen, the chill inside her deepening. She thought, ‘So this is my family.’ But since it involved Wyatt, who had always loved her, she was willing to give in.
“What’s everyone doing out here?” Ralph approached from a distance. The autumn breeze was cool. Dressed in a black trench coat, he looked even taller and sharper.
“Ralphie.” Daniella broke away from Stephen and skipped over to Ralph gleefully, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. “Did you come to see Stevie?”
Stephen could tell Daniella didn’t mean what she said and teased with a smile, “Ralph, I hope you’re not really here for me. Otherwise, Dani’s going to be upset.”
Daniella stomped shyly. “Stevie, I’m always happy as long as Ralphie’s here.”
Stephen looked at Daniella and Ralph standing together and felt satisfied. Daniella was sweet and pretty. Ralph was tall and handsome. They looked perfect together.
Then Stephen’s eyes landed on Abigail standing off to the side, and his expression instantly darkened. “Why are you still here?”
Abigail looked up, her gaze steady. “I want to see Grandpa.”
Stephen snapped impatiently, “Not today.”
“When, then?” Abigail wasn’t willing to back down. She thought, ‘If not today, then what about tomorrow? I need a clear answer.’