Chapter 12 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

A child as carefree as any other, she ran off for a stroll in the vast back garden.

She was climbing a boulder when she saw a woman throwing a boy into the pond.

The boy looked like he was barely ten years old, and it was the first time she had seen the wickedness of human nature.

She was naturally afraid and wanted to run, but as she watched the boy struggle to survive , she waited for the woman to leave before jumping into the pond herself.

Though she had learned to swim before, it took everything she had, and she had almost drowned herself. In fact, she managed to pull the boy to the edge of the pond but failed to pull him out, and it was thanks to his grandfather‘s timely arrival that she and the boy were saved.

The boy had fainted, but thanks to her and her grandfather‘s efforts, he spat out mouthfuls of water and stirred.

That was when her grandfather pulled her along and ran away, and she was naturally confused as to why he was so afraid.

“Who was that boy, Gramps ?” she asked in curiosity.” Why is someone trying to hurt him?”

“He came to attend the funeral just like you,” her grandfather replied, and warned her repeatedly, “Forget everything that happened today. Don‘t say a word, no matter who asks.”

She did not know that her grandfather was lying in fear of reprisals, but she obeyed him regardless.

When she got home, she realized that she had lost her silver crucifix, which her grandfather had given her. He had always told her that it was a token of his blessing to her, and a symbol of his hopes for her to become a virtuous person of optimism, compassion, and magnanimity…

She had worn that silver crucifix since she was a year old, and therefore understood Diarmuid‘s wrath without feeling grievance in return.

Even so, she felt genuine terror toward him now– he was just too violent!

“Moneypenny, could you please ask Dr. Slate to come by and examine Abigail?” Henry said then.

His voice brought Abigail back to her senses, and she quickly said, “It‘s fine. Is there a first aid kit around here? I can do this myself.”

She knew that she was not hurt that seriously, and when she saw Henry‘s doubtful gaze, she said, “Don‘t worry, I‘m a doctor.”

Noting her confidence, the old man noddedit was true that it was just a small cut.

It was nothing serious, though it drew blood since it was a little deep,

With a mirror, she cleaned it and left it be. Keeping pressure on cuts actually worked against recovery, so she did not bandage it–not that she could apply a band–aid or bandage a spot enfolded beneath her hair.

Meanwhile , Moneypenny glanced inside the washroom where Abigail was.

Ensuring that she was out of earshot, he whispered to Henry, “Sir, Mrs. Althoff has just married into the family, and yet she was hurt right under your nose. I‘m afraid Master Diarmuid would be even worse away from here…

He did not go into specifics, but Henry understood.

“If push comes to shove, and she decides to divorce Diarmuid because she can‘t stand his outbursts… We would have to play our hand.”

Henry had already put a plan together, and it took Moneypenny a while to get it.

“Is that why you asked me to find a heart donor–”

He had barely finished when Abigail stepped out of the restroom with the first aid kit.

Moneypenny promptly turned silent, while Henry leaned against his cane to rise to his feet, and told Abigail, “Come with me.”

He was heading to his study, and Abigail put the first aid kit on a table before following him. Sitting behind the large desk in the study, sadness showed in Henry‘s eyes as he told her, “Diarmuid‘s father passed away very early, and while I raised him, he always lived away from home since he studied at a boarding school. He moved out right after graduating university to take over the company, too, and is so busy he basically never comes home.”

There was quietness in Henry’s voice. Diarmuid’s father was his eldest son, and no matter how long had passed, he still felt miserable about his passing because no father should ever have to bury his son.

He also knew that Diarmuid had his reason for not coming home, and he could foresee what Diarmuid would do to his uncle‘s family after his death.

In fact, Diarmuid held back this long because he still respected Henry, and he needed a woman to make him learn to feel…

So that he would give up on hatred.

They were all his flesh and blood, and he did not want them slaughtering each other.

“Sir…” Abigail murmured, unsure of how to reassure him.

There was no question that Henry had been good to her. Even though she was forced to marry into this family because of Lionel‘s greed, Henry never held her in contempt.

Raising a handle to assure her she had nothing to worry about, he continued, “The reason I agreed to let you marry Diarmuid is because I know that you are a good child, just as your grandfather had been loyal and kind. You are his granddaughter, and his blood runs in your veins that is why I wanted you to stay with Diarmuid and care for him.”

“Sir, I believe that it would be ideal for him if he had someone he loves with him instead…”

Abigail’s words were her earnest opinion.

From Henry‘s perspective, however, she seemed to be giving up and making excuses to leave Diarmuid,

But having lived this long, was there any situation he had not encountered?

In fact, it was actually easy to convince her.

“I understand that you have your difficulties,” he said as he drew out a document from his drawer and handed it to her. “Your mother is ill, and she requires a donor match for a heart transplant. I happened to have found a match, and I‘ve spoken to the right people. Sign this agreement, and the surgery is a go– I will pay for everything, including the surgical cost as well as any other medical fees involved.”

Abigail was at first delighted, though she soon thought to herself that things would never be that simple.

Scanning through the agreement, she realized that it was a contract to keep her from divorcing Diarmuid. And the old man certainly knew how to hold leverage against her, so that she would stay with Diarmuid.

“I heard that your mother‘s condition is worsening, and would be beyond saving if the transplant is delayed any further. Heart donors are not that easily found even with money, which you don‘t have.”

Abigail‘s fingers clenched on the paper in her hands, feeling at a loss for what she should do.

Still, the real reason Henry called her here now dawned upon her.

“Why do you think I can care for him, sir?”

“Like I said–you‘re Tim‘s granddaughter. I trust you.”

Abigail tried to stay calm, but she was too flustered to do so.

It was true that her mother‘s illness could not wait, and she would have a better chance of survival with early surgery.

Since she was married to Diarmuid anyway, she agreed to it for the sake of her mother‘s survival. “I will sign it.”

“Good. Trust me–my judge in character is right, and you‘ll definitely make Diarmuid happy.” A smile finally appeared on Henry‘s solemn face.

Even so, Abigail kept her lips tightly pursed and stayed silent, convinced that Henry was wrong–that Whitney was the one who could give Diarmuid happiness.

Not her.

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