Chapter 53

In the hospital room, Stephen slammed the bedside table in fury. “We’ve supported Abigail all these years for nothing. She’s so ungrateful, refusing to donate some blood to save her sister. Might as well just kick her out of this family.”

“You’re scaring Dani,” Gabriel said, shooting Stephen a disapproving glance. He then turned to the pale-faced Daniella and comforted her, “The doctor said the plasma would arrive in half an hour. Just hang in there a bit longer.”

“No matter what, Abby is part of this family. I don’t want to hear another word about kicking her out,” Bianca said. Although she disapproved of Abigail’s actions, she’d never thought about driving Abigail away.

“Stevie, please don’t blame Abby. It’s my own fault…” Before Daniella could finish her sentence, tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall.

Seeing her cry only made Stephen feel more frustrated. He had figured out how the accident had happened to her.

Leaning weakly against the bed, Daniella wiped away her tears and sobbed, “Since Ralphie doesn’t love me, I’ll step aside. Let Abby marry him instead. For our family’s sake, I’m willing to give up this engagement.”

Gabriel’s disapproval of Abigail grew even stronger when he heard this. ‘Abigail wouldn’t even donate blood to save Dani. But Dani’s always putting the family first in everything,’ he thought.

“Dani…” Bianca stepped forward and took her daughter’s hand, her face full of concern.

Daniella forced a brave expression onto her pale face and said, “It’s alright, Mom. I’m sure Abby still has feelings for him, and Mr. Fletcher wants them to be together. For the sake of our family, I have to let go.”

Stephen said firmly, “Abigail must have poisoned Mr. Fletcher’s ear. Of course, Ralph’s going to listen to his grandfather–that’s why he turned down Dani.”

“Don’t say that, Stevie. Abby was just playing chess with Mr. Fletcher. Please don’t misunderstand her. I’m doing this willingly… Our family can’t afford to lose the Fletcher family’s support,” Daniella said.

Then she leaned down onto her mother’s hand and began to sob quietly.

Stephen snapped, “She’s just putting on an act. Dad, Mom, you both know Dani is the perfect match for Ralph. If Abigail marries him, she’ll only embarrass us. She won’t just be useless to us; she might even make the two families fall out.”

Stephen, Ralph’s best friend, couldn’t stand the thought of Abigail marrying him.

“But Ralph doesn’t want to marry Dani,” Bianca said worriedly.

“As long as the engagement stands, the Fletcher family can’t back out. Dani, don’t worry about it–I’ll take care of this,” Gabriel said, his expression dark and his eyes glinting with a scheming look.

“Dad, what are you going to do?” Stephen asked immediately.

“Stay here and look after your sister,” Gabriel instructed. “Your mom and I will check with the doctor about when the plasma will arrive. And Dani hasn’t eaten dinner—we’ll head home and bring something back for you.”

With that, he stood up, motioning for his wife to follow him.

After they left, Stephen scratched his head in confusion and muttered, “Could Dad be thinking of sending Abigail back to the orphanage?”

Though he disliked Abigail, the thought of actually throwing her out weighed on him.

Daniella didn’t respond. As she wiped away her tears, a glint of triumph flashed through her eyes.

Chapter 54

Maplewood Hospital was huge. Abigail followed the GPS on her phone as she made her way outside.

She’d sent a message earlier, but then thought better of it and recalled it. To her relief, Sebastian hadn’t messaged her back to demand an explanation.

As she rounded the corner, lost in thought, she nearly collided with Jeremiah. Looking up, she spotted Sebastian standing behind him and instinctively called out, “Mr. Robinson.”

Sebastian gave a slight nod. Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure. He stepped closer to Abigail, shielding her from view. “What brings you to the hospital?”

“A family member’s hospitalized,” Abigail replied, gripping her phone. She wanted to ask what he was doing there, but thought better of it.

“Excuse me. I should get going,” she said, moving to step past him.

Jeremiah quickly asked, “Have you eaten yet? If not, join us. Mr. Robinson is heading out to grab dinner.”

‘This is strange,’ Abigail thought. She shook her head slightly and took two steps back. “No, thanks. I’ve got something else to take care of.”

Ralph abruptly cut in, “I’m heading back too. Let me give you a ride.” He stepped out of the corner and stared at Sebastian, his gaze flickering with defiance, as if to say, “She isn’t that close to you, either.”

“No need. I’ll just take a cab back,” Abigail said flatly, looking indifferent.

Jeremiah tried to persuade her. “Ms. Gibson, why don’t you go with Mr. Robinson? You’ve been on a business trip together, so you’re already familiar with each other. It’s a long way from here to downtown–it’s safer to travel with someone familiar.”

Ralph’s face darkened as he glared at Jeremiah and snapped, “She’s known me since she was twelve and used to follow me around. Our connection runs deeper than you know.”

Sebastian met Abigail’s cool gaze and said evenly, “I respect your decision.”

Abigail nodded. “Alright, let’s go together then.”

Sebastian glanced at the stunned Ralph and said calmly, “Let’s go.”

“Abby!” Ralph called out urgently, suppressing his rising anger. It was the first time he’d ever called her that.