Chapter 50
Abigail’s voice remained calm, but her eyes brimmed with scornful mockery. She stared directly at Stephen, the kind of gaze that made him feel exposed and ashamed. Her eyes were crystal clear, as though they could see right through him, and the calmness in them gradually gave way to biting ridicule. She was genuinely thankful she wasn’t like the rest of the Gibson family, who were so adept at twisting logic and speaking nonsense as if it were righteousness, just like what Stephen did right now.
Abigail retorted, “I already broke off the engagement with Ralph as you all requested. Now the decision lies with the Fletcher family. Since Ralph refuses to get engaged to Daniella, isn’t that Daniella’s problem?”
Just one question was enough to make Stephen seethe with humiliation and rage. “Can you swear this has nothing to do with you?”
Abigail’s tone turned ice-cold. “Yup, do you think I have the same guilty conscience as all of you? I’ve done what I was supposed to do. If Daniella couldn’t seize the opportunity, that’s on her. She deserved it.”
Abigail thought bitterly, ‘It’s ridiculous. Ralph was the one to refuse the engagement, and yet instead of blaming him or Daniella, they pinned it all on me.’
Stephen couldn’t withstand the look in Abigail’s eyes anymore. He was just about to explode when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and answered in a hurry. Whatever he heard on the other end made the color drain from his face. “W–What? Dani… had a car accident?”
Abigail’s heart stirred slightly. She didn’t expect Daniella would have an accident.
Stephen said, “I’m coming right away.”
As he hung up, Abigail reached for the car door and opened it. Stephen noticed her movement and immediately barked, “What are you doing?”
She replied calmly, “I’m going home.”
Stephen’s expression shifted. He clearly understood the implication behind her words. He shot her a furious glare and drove off without another word. Of course Abigail understood why he glared at her. In his eyes, she should’ve gone with him to the hospital as soon as she heard the news.
But to Abigail, Daniella’s accident had nothing to do with her. A flash of derision passed through her eyes, and she called for a cab and went back home.
That afternoon, Abigail was awakened by her phone ringing. Groggily picking it up, she saw several missed calls from unfamiliar numbers–at least three. Even though they weren’t saved in her contacts, she had a feeling she knew exactly who they were from. Abigail thought, ‘It must be Stephen and them.’ She wasn’t in the best mood, having had her nap interrupted. She answered with a frosty tone, “What is it?”
Sure enough, Stephen’s voice rang from the other end. “Abigail, why the hell are you only answering now? Do you know how many times we tried to call you?”
Abigail frowned, cutting him off in irritation. “So? Why were you calling me?”
Her tone cut deep, and Stephen’s anger instantly flared. “Abigail, you-”
“Abby, it’s me.” Another voice came through, as if the phone had been taken from Stephen.
Bianca’s voice, full of urgency, moved closer. “Dani had a car accident. She needs an emergency blood transfusion. The hospital doesn’t have any blood in stock. They’re trying to transfer it in from elsewhere. Dani’s in critical condition. I know you’re Rh-negative. You need to come to the hospital right…”
Before Bianca finished her words, Abigail’s laugh echoed through the phone. “I’m just curious–what makes you think I’d donate blood to Daniella?” Her voice was still calm and icy, but the sarcasm bled through thick and heavy.
Blanca insisted, “Abby, this isn’t the time to throw a tantrum. Your sister’s life is on the line. Do you really want to see something happen to her?”
Abigail scoffed inwardly, ‘Wow, moral blackmail, huh? Too bad, three years ago, when you threw me behind bars, every ounce of empathy I once held for you died.’ She replied, “I’m not going. Whether she lives or dies depends on how lucky she is.” Just like her. If she hadn’t been lucky, she would’ve died in prison long ago.
Before Bianca could respond, Abigail hung up.
In the hospital, upon learning that Abigail refused to come, Gabriel put on a long face. He barked an order at Stephen, “Go back and bring her here, even if you have to tie her up.”
Stephen nodded immediately. When he arrived back at the villa, Abigail was halfway up the stairs with a tray of fruit in her hands. Hearing the commotion, she turned and met Stephen’s furious glare.
Stephen snapped, “Abigail, come with me to the hospital.”
She couldn’t be bothered to waste time on someone who clearly couldn’t understand basic reasoning. She turned back and continued upstairs.
Footsteps thundered behind her. The next second, a hand clamped around her wrist. The grip was so strong that Abigail lost hold of the tray. It crashed to the floor, fruit and ceramic scattering with a loud shatter.
Stephen didn’t care about the mess. He yanked her down the stairs without the slightest regard. Abigail stumbled, dragged helplessly behind him. It was the second time she’d been manhandled like this, and she despised it. It reminded her of the days she was beaten in prison.
Her eyes, usually serene, flared with violence. Suddenly, Abigail bit into Stephen’s arm, causing him to snarl and shove her away. Looking down at the teeth marks, he growled through clenched teeth, “Abigail, are you fucking crazy?”
Abigail spat on the floor in disgust, her face blank as she watched him.
Stephen, frantic about Daniella and now getting bitten, was pushed to the edge. His voice went cold and low. “Go to the hospital, whether you want to or not. You’ve got two options–get in the car yourself, or I drag you in. You know I will.”