Chapter 78

An officer helped Abigail off the bed. The moment her feet touched the floor, she felt dizzy and nearly collapsed.

The lead officer turned to Gabriel and Bianca, his voice stern. “Locking up your child without food or water constitutes abuse and unlawful confinement. Consider this a verbal warning. Next time, we’ll arrest you.”

Gabriel scoffed, convinced Abigail was putting on a helpless act to gain sympathy.

“Do you have money?” the officer asked.

Abigail gave a weak nod. “Yes.”

“Cool off for now. We’re taking her with us.” With that, the officer helped Abigail out of the room.

Outside Gibson Villa, a car pulled up. Abigail looked down and saw Sebastian sitting inside. She met his piercing gaze. “Thank you, Mr. Robinson,” she said weakly. “For calling the police.”

Jeremiah stepped out, opened the door, and took Abigail from the officers with a nod before guiding her into the backseat. The moment she sank into the seat, she curled forward, clutching her stomach with shallow breaths.

Jeremiah closed the door and drove straight to the hospital.

The hospital was quiet at night. After an endoscopy, Abigail lay on a bed, an IV drip feeding into her veins.

“The patient has severe gastritis,” the doctor explained to Sebastian, flipping through the results. “Her condition triggers intense pain the moment she’s hungry. Skipping even one meal is dangerous. Yet today, she didn’t consume water and food.”

Sebastian’s gaze flicked to Abigail before he turned to Jeremiah. “Go get something light. Maybe some plain noodles.”

“Noodles are ideal. If the pain persists tomorrow, she’ll need another injection. These are her meds. Take them after meals, three times daily.” The doctor handed the prescription to Jeremiah.

Once Jeremiah left, Abigail kept her eyes shut, too ashamed to face Sebastian. She felt awkward about having taken up his time.

She had expected the police to drop her at a diner, where she could recover enough to book a hotel. Never had she imagined Sebastian would intervene. His voice cut through the silence, as indifferent as ever, yet edged with exasperation. “A timely call to the police would have spared you this.”

Abigail’s throat burned from dehydration, and her lips were cracked. “I knew, but calling the police wouldn’t have helped. They would have talked their way out of it.”

She had considered calling for help, but she knew the Gibson family very well. They would smear her reputation without hesitation if it meant protecting Daniella.

Sebastian didn’t press further.

A long silence stretched between them until Abigail finally opened her eyes, only to startle at the sight of him still seated beside her. Her heart skipped a beat. Flustered, she shifted her gaze. “You don’t have to stay, Mr. Robinson.”

Sebastian, who had been reviewing her endoscopy results, flicked a glance at her. “I called the cops, and they handed you over to me and Jeremiah. If you die, then we’re becoming prime suspects.”

Abigail thought that starving for just one day wasn’t life threatening.

The silence dissolved when Jeremiah returned with noodles, meds, and a bottle of water.

As Abigail tried to sit up, Sebastian moved faster. His hand slid beneath her back, effortlessly lifting her into position.

Abigail stiffened all over in an instant. Clearing her parched throat, she muttered, “Thank you, Mr. Robinson.”

“You’re wearing my ears out with that.” Sebastian stepped back. He sat down, crossing his legs with infuriating nonchalance.

Abigail accepted the food box Jeremiah handed her. The moment the fork touched her fingers, she started devouring the food. She always ate fast, but today, half-starved, she devoured it even quicker.

Sebastian’s gaze lingered on her.

Jeremiah set the bottle of water on the bedside table. “You cleared things with Timothy last night. Your family still didn’t believe you?”

Abigail paused. Bitterness seeped into her chest, slowing her chewing. They didn’t believe her at all. Worse, they had spun it into some twisted narrative where she had seduced Timothy just to ruin Daniella.

The bitter smile turned sarcastic. Abigail nodded. “I’ll be at work tomorrow on time.”