Chapter 5
k matters. After leaving Abigail at the club, Erie received an unexpected call and had to return to the office to handle some worki
When he returned home later that night, he didn’t see Abigail waiting on the couch. A faint irritation stirred within him. Abigail was clearly at fault. After knowing about Nicole’s condition, she’d tried to manipulate him with a ridiculous lie about going blind. Now she had the nerve to throw a tantren?
le, she was fooling hersell.
Eric ripped off his tie and strode to the bedroom. If she thought this stumt would force him to turn against Nicole,
The Rood family owed Nicole, and Abigail had no right to stir up trouble
Shortly after, Eric went to bed without caring about Abigail’s whereabouts.
By morning, Abigail’s continued absence gnawed at him. He summoned a housekeeper to inquire about her. His expression darkened when he learned that Abigail hadn’t come home
“Great,” he thought. “Now she has leamed to stay out all night.”
“Should we send someone to look for her?” the housekeeper asked hesitantly.
Eric replied coldly, “No. She can continue with her nonsense
By the third day, Abigail still hadn’t returned. Eric’s Irritation bolled over into full–blown anger.
“Wonderful! She has even gone so far as to run away from home now,” he thought angrily.
“Abby, it’s been so long since you’ve visited. Have you forgotten about me?” Derrick’s disappointed voice came through the phone
“Of course not, Grandpa. I’ve just been a bit busy lately.” Abigail explained
Derrick let out a soft snort. “I think you’re just being ungrateful. You’re not even thinking about visiting”
Abigail couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s not true. I’ll come visit you soon, okay?”
Since her eye condition had worsened, Abigail had reduced her visits to the Gomez residence. She feared Derrick might notice something was amiss and worry unnecessarily
“If you really miss me, come today, right now. Otherwise, it just means you’re tired of me.”
Abigail marveled at how someone his age could still act so childishly. Feeling helpless and realizing it had indeed been a while since her last visit, she conceded, “All right. I’ll change my clothes and come see you.”
“Great. That’s great,” Derrick said cheerfully. “I’ll be waiting for you.
After hanging up, Abigail examined herself in the mirror. The frequent flare–ups of her eye condition had attected her appetite, causing her to lose weight and appear more happard than usual
She selected a loose–fining yellow dress from her closet, hoping its design would conceal her weight loss. She then applied light makrup to brighten her compleodon
Before lewing Abigall took her medication, hoping it would delay any symptoms during her visit.
The journey from Jacinta’s place to the Gomes residence book about thirty minutes
As soon as she entered, her gaze was drawn to the person on the couch. In just a few days, Eric seemed to have grown even more handsome. Dressed in a custom–made black suit paired with a gray shirt, he exoded an indescribable air of nobility even while sitting casually.
Eric glanced belefly in Abigail’s direction before quickly averting his gaze. It was as if he hadn’t even noticed her.
“Abby, come here!” Derrick was delighted to see her. He waved her over enthusiastically,
“You’ve come at just the right time, I was just saying that Eric should take some time today to take you to the amusement park. I’ve heard it’s newly opened, with many attractions you can’t find in other parks”
Over the years, Derrick had made numerous attempts like this to ease the tension between Abigail and Eric. From ranging candlelit dinners to sending them on vacations, he had spared no effort in creating opportunities for them to be alone together.
ther even after all these y
- years.
Unfortunately, desplie Derrick’s Intervention, Abigail hadn’t been able to change Eric’s extreme aversion toward he
Abigail lowered her gaze to the amusement park tickets on the table. She tried to decline, saying, “He doesn’t-
“All right.” Eric suddenly cut her off. She turned to him in surprise as he said calmly, “I’ll bring her there later.”
Abigail widened her eyes in surprise, caught off guard by his response. However, she quickly realized that he was likely planning to take Nicole there and was merely using her as an excuse.
“Finally, you’re coming to your senses!” Derrick was overjoyed, his face beaming with happiness.
Sering hope for their reconciliation, Derrick eagerly ushered them out without letting them have lunch. “Oh my, d here. Don’t waste time and hurry along now, You can just grab a quick bite on the way.”
that amusement park is quite far from
With that, Derrick promptly had the housekeeper close the door behind them.
Erk stared at the closed door, seemingly resigned. “Let’s go,” he said.
“Where to?” Abigail asked instinctively.
He glanced at her as if she was an idiot. “To the armisement park, of course.” He walked toward the car and added, “Do I need to invite you into the car? Abigail snapped back to reality and hurried after him.
As they drove closer to the assement park, the emotions she had suppressed began to surface.
Could Eric truly intend to take her there for fun? Her slight hopefulness disappeared the moment she save Nicole
“Ms. Reed,” Nicole greeted them at the park entrance and swiftly linked her arm with Erie’s. She turned to Abigail with an apologetic expression. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m here Eric invited me.”
Lowering her head dejectedly, she continued, “I’m about to have eye surgery. If it fails, I might face permanent blindness. So I wanted to see as much as 1 could before the operation.”
Nicole still had a chance of recovery with surgery, while Abigail had to keep waiting day after day. She looked at Nicole and felt a wave of disappointment settle in her heart
