Chapter 51
Taking a deep breath to suppress the churning pain in her heart, Abigail turned around and got into the car.
As the car sped along, Abigail gazed out the window, realizing they weren’t heading to the hospital she expected. “Where are you taking me?” She turned to Stephen with a slight frown.
“To Maplewood Hospital,” Stephen replied.
Abigail had heard of the hospital – a renowned private institution in Cobridge, notorious for its exorbitant fees. But the high cost came with state-of-the-art facilities and a top-notch medical team.
She lowered her gaze and said nothing more, letting a heavy silence settle over the car.
Frantic footsteps pounded down the hospital corridor.
Stephen, visibly anxious, bolted ahead, practically yanking Abigail, paying no mind to whether she could keep up.
Rather than be dragged, Abigail picked up her pace.
As she walked, she glanced around, thinking, “No wonder they call this the most expensive private hospital. Based solely on its environment and facilities, it doesn’t look like a hospital. If anything, it looks more like a scenic residential complex.”
Absorbed in surveying her surroundings, she remained completely unaware that she’d already caught someone else’s eye.
In the building across from Abigail, Sebastian and Jeremiah stood, watching her from above.
Jeremiah’s eyes widened when he saw Abigail. He blurted out, “Why is Abigail here? Mr. Robinson, she looks like she was dragged here against her will.”
Sebastian’s gaze lingered on Abigail until she disappeared from view. Then he turned around and walked into an office.
The door closed, revealing the brass plaque that read “Director’s Office.”
After taking the elevator to the third floor, Abigail was dragged by Stephen into a hospital ward.
The hospital suite featured a separate living area, where members of the Fletcher family and the Gibson family sat together on the couches.
Upon seeing Abigail, Bianca sprang to her feet, her face flushed with emotion. “Abby, you’re here,” she said.
Stephen pulled Abigail over and said, “Mom, now that Abigail is here, let’s go get the doctor to start the blood transfusion.”
The grip on Abigail’s wrist suddenly loosened, and she yanked her hand away. Before Bianca could say a word, she declared bluntly, “I’m not giving my blood to Daniella.”
The room fell into a stunned silence.
“How dare you?” Gabriel roared, his face twisted in anger.
“My body, my choice,” Abigail shot back firmly, showing no fear.
Gabriel’s face turned ashen with rage as he glared daggers at her.
Bianca’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She choked out, “Abby, Dani is your sister. How could you be so heartless?”
Abigail said coldly, “I don’t have a sister.” She had stopped seeing the Gibson family as her family, and that included Daniella entirely.
Gabriel snapped, “You have to give Dani your blood – you owe her big time. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have been in that accident in the first place.”
‘It’s my fault again – just like three years ago,’ Abigail thought bitterly. ‘Back then, I was overjoyed, waiting for them to come to my graduation ceremony. But Daniella got into a car accident, and they blamed me. They forced me into prison, completely disregarding how terrified and helpless I was. Three years ago, I gave in. But this time, I won’t.’
Abigail fixed them with a cold stare and enunciated each word deliberately. “I wasn’t the one who hit her. I wasn’t the one who made her run out. Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with me.”
She wouldn’t let them pin the blame on her again.
The Gibson family’s faces darkened with fury when they realized she was unmoved by either their threats or their pleas.
Stephen’s expression turned menacing. He said harshly, “Abigail, I brought you here to give Dani blood, and you will. Mom, Dad, Ralph – keep her here. Don’t let her leave. I’m getting the doctor.”
Abigail’s face darkened. “What you’re doing is illegal.”
Stephen sneered, “You don’t get to decide what’s legal. Unlike you, we’ve never been to jail.”
Abigail’s body trembled slightly as she declared, “I’ll never give blood to Daniella.”
Stephen said, “Then I’ll tie you down if I have to.”
Just then, the door to the room swung open, and the doctor walked in with a middle-aged man in a white coat.
Seeing the doctor, the Gibson family immediately rose to their feet. Gabriel stepped forward and asked, “Dr. Marsh, may I ask who this gentleman is?”
Aaron replied, “This is Director Hampton. We were passing by and heard some commotion, so we thought we’d come in and check. Is there a problem here?”
Gabriel’s face darkened for a split second. Then he shook his head and said, “No, nothing at all.” With that, he shot a glare at Abigail.
Unfazed, Abigail met his gaze with indifference.
Stephen couldn’t hold back any longer and said, “Dr. Marsh, I’ve found someone with the same blood type as my sister. Please make the arrangements for the transfusion.”
Aaron looked surprised. “Is it this young lady? Has the blood type compatibility been checked?”
Bianca quickly interjected, “No, but she’s Rh-negative too – we confirmed it during her previous physical examination.”
Aaron nodded. “Alright, we’ll prepare for the transfusion.”
Abigail cut him off sharply. “Shouldn’t you be asking me first?”
Stephen suppressed his anger. “Abigail, stop being so willful. This is a life-or-death situation. Dr. Marsh, just make the arrangements. I’ll make sure she cooperates.”
Abigail shot back sharply, “He’s trying to force me, what he’s doing is illegal. Is your hospital really just going to stand by and let this happen?”
“Abigail!” Stephen snarled, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t make me force this on you. I’m your brother – what I say goes!”
“Mr. Gibson, it appears no agreement has been reached. We can’t proceed with the transfusion without this young lady’s full and voluntary consent,” the director, Vance Hampton, said.
The faces of Stephen, Gabriel, and Bianca turned pale with worry.
Gabriel pleaded, “Mr. Hampton, can’t you make an exception just this once?”
Before he could say anything more, Vance replied firmly, “No. This is non-negotiable.”