Chapter 86

Abigail turned to study Sebastian’s reaction.

Sebastian swallowed the antacid Jeremiah handed him, took a swig of water, and then said, “Just a hospital transfer? Your family won’t make it that easy.”

“True.” Abigail nodded. “I’ll move out and rent a high-security apartment for my grandpa’s recovery.”

Sebastian’s fingers tightened around the water bottle, tendons flexing under the skin. “I’ll handle it. Your only job is perfecting my project. Understood?”

Abigail looked up at him. Their eyes met. Amusement glittered in his gaze, that confidence unchanged. She didn’t hesitate. “Get my grandpa away from the Gibson family, and I’ll meet any demand.”

She knew her worth to Sebastian began and ended with her coding skills.

Sebastian’s smile deepened. “What if I make unreasonable requests?”

“You could have anyone. I know my place.” Abigail’s tone was calm. Without her technical ability, their lives would never intersect.

“Ms. Gibson,” Jeremiah suddenly spoke after a long silence inside the car. “Back to Gibson Villa or the hotel?”

“Gibson Villa,” Abigail said. “I need to pack some things. I’m moving out tomorrow.”

She was done with the Gibson family. With Daniella’s reputation in tatters, they would hound her relentlessly, just like they had forced her to take the fall for Daniella’s hit-and-run three years ago. But this time, Abigail wouldn’t play the sacrificial lamb.

The car pulled up in front of Gibson Villa gate. Before getting out of the car, Abigail met Sebastian’s eyes. “Thank you for making sure Halden Group exposed what Daniella did.”

Sebastian’s intervention hadn’t just cut off Daniella’s escape routes. It had publicly humiliated the Gibson family. The lady they had spent millions cultivating over the years turned out to be someone utterly despicable.

Sebastian tilted his head slightly, watching Abigail. Only after she shut the car door did he avert his gaze. The plastic water bottle in his hand slowly crumpled under the pressure of his fingers.

Early the next morning, Abigail went downstairs with a single backpack. Ralph and Stephen waited for her in the living room.

Abigail ignored them, heading straight for the door.

“Abby,” Ralph called out. “I knew what Dani had done at Halden Group. We talked to her last night. She was just terrified of losing her place in the family, and she never meant to hurt you. She’ll apologize once she gets out of the hospital.”

Abigail almost laughed as she turned to Ralph, eyes sharp and voice dripping with sarcasm. “Are her apologies some priceless treasure I should beg for?”

The sarcasm in her voice stunned Ralph into silence.

Stephen stepped forward. “What exactly do you want? Her exile from our family?”

Just then, Bianca rushed down with tears in her eyes, looking at Abigail with desperate hope.

“Such a wonderful family. Let Daniella keep it.” Abigail’s tone was laced with mockery. With that, she turned to leave.

Bianca rushed forward, grabbing her hand and sobbing, “Abby, don’t go, please. We spoiled Dani, but we’ll make it right. Please–”

“No need,” Abigail wrenched free. “We’re done.” Her voice carried an unmistakable sense of determination.

Once upon a time, she used to wonder whether she truly belonged to the Gibson family. Now, she didn’t even care anymore. With Sebastian’s help getting Wyatt out of the hospital, she and the Gibson family were completely done.

Ralph looked at Abigail’s cold face. He exchanged a look with Stephen and shook his head.

Daniella’s scheme had crossed a line. If her game had succeeded, Abigail would’ve carried the “mistress” label for the rest of her life.

“Abby…” Bianca’s voice cracked as she watched Abigail leave.

Bianca thought, ‘Would one act of defense have changed things? The grief felt disproportionate and irrational. Why did this estrangement ache so deeply?’

As Abigail stepped out of Gibson Villa, Bianca, Stephen, and Ralph followed behind her.

“Abby–” Ralph tried again, wanting to say more, but when he saw Jeremiah standing by the car, his words caught in his throat.