Chapter 33 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

Exhausted, she closed her eyes to rest, and dozed off without knowing. When she woke up, she was already on her own bed. Pushing herself up, she found no one else in the room. Rubbing her temples, she remembered that she was in Diarmuid’s car last night… How did she end up here? “Mrs. Althoff?” a voice called out, and a knock on the door could be heard. “Come in,” Abigail replied. Mrs. Watson entered with a smile. “I’ve prepared breakfast. Come on, it’s time to eat.” Abigail pulled off her blanket and asked casually, “How did I get upstairs?” “Mr. Althoff carried you, of course,” Mrs. Watson replied with a twinkle in her eye.” Have you made peace with him?”

Abigail blinked. Had there ever been peace between them?

“Well, it seems to me that you two are getting along well,” Mrs. Watson continued, smiling, “It’s rare for Mr. Althoff to be this patient with anyone, too. You must be the first!”

Abigail thought nothing of it, however — Diarmuid might have finally found a bit of kindness when he found out that Harvey was going to have his way with her. “Ah, I’m hungry.” After a long night of deep sleep, her belly no longer hurt that much, which relieved her considerably.

She needed proper meals and rest. After washing up, she dressed up and headed downstairs, taking a seat as Mrs. Watson put food on the table.

She was alone-Diarmuid was not around.

Halfway through breakfast, she got a call from the hospital that her mother was asking to be discharged, and so, she quickly finished it so that she could leave. Nonetheless, she had just stepped out of the mansion when Diarmuid’s chauffeur approached her, saying, “Are you leaving, Mrs. Althoff? Let me drive you there.”

Before Abigail could say a word, he added, “Mr. Althoff’s orders.”

Abigail glanced behind to find that the chauffeur had taken out a Rolls-Royce, and raised a brow.

Had that man gotten addicted to their act?

Still, she got in since she did not have the time to think. “Charity Hospital, please.”

She rushed to her mother’s ward, but just as she was about to enter, she heard Samantha White’s voice from within.

“The son I had with Lionel is already an adult. Why aren’t you asking a divorce? What purpose is there in preserving a dead marriage? Do you really think he still cares about

you?”

Laughing derisively then, Samantha continued. “Did you really think that he forced your daughter to marry Diarmuid just because his company was in trouble?” Standing outside, Abigail was taken aback-was that not the case?!

“Sheryl Harris – you’re a real idiot, you know that? It’s tragic how you can’t tell what your own husband wants!”

Samantha was folding her arms before her chest and gloating. “All Lionel wanted was for your daughter to become family with the Althoffs, so that she becomes a puppet for his own ends. That’s the only reason he’s not divorcing you! Are you really stupid enough to think that he still gives a damn about you? If that’s true, why would he have me at his side for twenty years, or let your daughter marry into the Althoff family?”

“Sure, the Althoffs are a genuine dynasty, but Diarmuid Althoff is also infamous for his bad temper. Did you think your daughter would not suffer, as a woman he was forced to marry? If you’re smart, divorce Lionel right now, and your daughter just might stop suffering.” “Y-You’re lying!” Sheryl snapped, but she lacked the strength and therefore the authority! Outside, Abigail wobbled. Her father had put her through many lessons, such as piano, dance, and art. At first, she believed that Lionel wanted her to be a star. Now, however, it was clear that he had planned for her to have such skills to entice Diarmuid.

Her father was truly cunning, to scheme against her own daughter and use her like a tool!

She should have been jaded after all these years, but her heart still hurt now.

Inside, Samantha was still gloating. “Just get a divorce if you know what’s good for you.

Abigail abruptly opened the door, having composed herself as she snapped, “Tell Lionel Bernstein to come here himself if he wants a divorce.”

She caught Samantha by surprise, and Samantha’s face paled as she turned to find Abigail standing there. “W-Why are you here?!” Abigail entered, saying, “You’re the one who shouldn’t be here.” Samantha quickly gathered hersell, and it was easy since it was Abigail who heard what she said, and not Lionel. It was line if she found out… ideal, even, just so she could persuade her mother to get a divorce.

After all, Samantha did not want to stay a mistress for life. She was not young-she needed a legitimitate title

“You heard all that, did you? I’m sure you know in your heart that what I said was true.

If you want to be free of your father, get your mother to divorce him already.”

Abigail glowered. “You’re not welcome here. Leave!”

“I’m doing this for your own good, Abigail…”

“Stay liere a moment longer, and I’ll call Lionel and tell him what you told my mother. It is as you say: if my mother does agree to a divorce, I’ll be free from him, but it also means he won’t get anything from the Althoffs anymore. Do you think he cares more about you or his money?”. In the end, Abigail knew very well that Lionel only ever cared about his own gains, or he would not have stayed married to her mother. In fact, he would have long since married Samantha if he really loved her. “Also, you think I’m being used, but I could say the same about you. He wanted a son and you gave him one, but he didn’t give you anything in return-doesn’t that make you a baby-making tool? What is there for you to gloat about to my mother?”

Now, Abigail understood that Lionel had no love for anything except power and position.

To him, everyone else was just a tool.

Meanwhile, Samantha’s expression had been alternating until it turned dark, her face contorting so horribly that even her heavy makeup could not hide it.

“You little…” Samantha pointed at her furiously, but could not say anything against her at all!

With that, Abigail simply ignored her. “I’ll count to three. Leave now, or I’ll call Lionel!” In the first place, Samantha had wanted to manipulate Sheryl into filing for a divorce by revealing Lionel’s schemes, while she became his legitimate wife. Naturally, she did not expect that Abigail would turn the tables on her, leaving her absolutely frustrated! Snorting coldly, she left the ward. “Mom…” Abigail began after she closed the door behind her. Sheryl’s eyes were red as she stared at Abigail. “I’m sorry…” Abigail went to sit beside her. “You’ve done nothing wrong, Mom. You gave me life and brought me to this world…”

Even so, Sheryl was choking with misery as she grasped her daughter’s hand. Pursing her lips, she sobbed, “But you’ve suffered so much because of me… I should have known.

“It’s nothing,” Abigail assured her. “I’m going to get married eventually, and it’s the same whoever it is.”

Still, Sheryl could not let it go. “But he’s your father… How could he use you like this?

Doesn’t he feel any affection at all?”

Over the years, Abigail often found heartache, but she had also learned to let go. Changing the subject, she asked, “Weren’t you asking to be discharged, Mom?” Sheryl nodded. “Yes, I’m much better now-I’ın ready to leave after such a long stay.” Abigail did not agree to it, however, and instead spoke to her attending physician. He told her that while Sheryl could be discharged, she should ensure that she had sufficient rest and keep to her checkup schedules. Still, Abigail did not tell Sheryl that, but instead said, “You should wait a couple days, Mom.”

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