Chapter 3

In the eyes of the Gibson family, Abigail owed Daniella just for coming back, because Daniella had gone from being the real heiress to the adopted one because of her. But none of that was Abigail’s choice. It wasn’t her who found the Gibson family; they were the ones who found her. They brought her home, only to treat her like she didn’t belong.

Abigail felt confused and thought, ‘If 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? Was it just so I could watch them spoil Daniella to her heart’s content?’

The sarcasm in Abigail’s eyes was obvious, and it made Stephen furious. His face darkened. “If you hadn’t been so reckless and selfish, Dani wouldn’t have ended up in that mess.”

“What mess?” Abigail shot back.

Daniella’s expression changed instantly. “Stevie, today’s Abby’s homecoming. Let’s not bring up the past.” She turned to Ralph. “Ralphie, didn’t you say you wanted to meet my grandpa? Let’s go.”

Ralph looked at Abigail, his eyes brooding and unreadable. “You’re not coming?” he asked indifferently.

Abigail’s eyes lit up. She answered almost instinctively, “I am.”

Ralph gave a slight nod. “Then let’s go.”

Abigail was about to follow when Stephen suddenly grabbed her arm. His grip was so strong it made her frown in pain.

“You’re planning to show up like that in front of Grandpa? What, trying to tattle on us again?” Stephen sneered.

Abigail didn’t 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 didn’t want to argue with Stephen.

“I don’t have a change of clothes,” Abigail said.

In prison, she’d worn uniforms. She hadn’t been allowed to wear her own clothes. The dress she had on now was the same one she’d worn three years ago. After being stored that long, it was faded and worn–understandably.

“Come with me,” 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, Stephen’s expression shifted slightly. “You’ve been gone for three years, and no one’s been using your room. We turned it into Dani’s walk-in closet.”

Abigail paused for a moment, then gave a nod without much emotion. “Got it.”

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. “These are clothes Dani doesn’t like. She doesn’t like anyone touching her stuff. You don’t need to return it after you wear it. If you don’t want it, throw it away.”

Abigail changed and came out. The fitted sweater hung a little loose on her, but she adjusted it quickly and stepped out. “I’m done.”

Stephen glanced at her, his expression hard to read. “Let’s go.”

Abigail didn’t 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 didn’t 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.

“Abby, you’re finally home.” 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.

Bianca’s face fell. Her expression turned sorrowful. “Abby, are you blaming me?”

Abigail didn’t understand why Bianca would ask that and thought, ‘Am I not supposed to blame her? They sent me to prison, made me suffer all that pain. I’m not allowed to blame them?’

“Mrs. Gibson, I’m going to see Grandpa.” Abigail’s voice was slightly hoarse.

Bianca looked like she had been dealt a heavy blow. Her whole body swayed. “Abby, what did you just call me? You really are blaming me.”

Tears streamed down Bianca’s 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 Daniella’s place.

Abigail thought, ‘What a joke.’

“Mom, why are you crying?” Daniella rushed over, full of concern as she came to Bianca’s side.

Daniella’s voice quivered with emotion, and her eyes turned teary just like Bianca’s. “Abby, if you’re mad, take it out on me. Just don’t make Mom this sad. She’s been skipping meals and losing sleep over you. She’s already worn herself out. You may not care, but I do.”

Bianca couldn’t bear to see the adopted daughter she had lovingly raised in tears. She wiped her own tears away at once. “Dani, I’m fine. Don’t cry, sweetie. I’m okay.”

“Mom, Abby has every right to resent me. If it weren’t for me, she would’ve gotten all your love,” Daniella said, biting her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, looking heartbreakingly pitiful.

“This isn’t your fault, Dani. Don’t overthink it,” Bianca said patiently, comforting her. The two of them looked especially warm and close.