“Mother…” Ricky was still trying to dissuade Samantha.
Lionel had just died, and they were already fighting right in front of his body. How could he rest in peace at all?
“I’m telling you, Ricky–don’t listen to your father! I’m your only family, and that woman has nothing to do with you!” Samantha bellowed furiously, because it really upset her that her. own son kept siding with Abigail.
She was convinced that Ricky’s attitude was all Lionel’s fault, that he had given his son all the wrong ideas!
After all, how could there be a bond between step–siblings?
Moreover, her personal grudge against Abigail meant she could not allow him to be family with Abigail, and the conflict over the inheritance would only drive them further apart!
Nonetheless, Abigail called her out by name right then. “Samantha White–my parents never got divorced, and that makes my mother and myself the designated heirs. No matter what you try, you won’t get anything as long as I decide against it!”
Panic showed in Samantha’s eyes, but she quickly calmed down. “It’s in your father’s will. Everything belongs to Ricky.”
Abigail was not about to argue with her in front of Lionel’s body, and quietly told Diarmuid, “Let’s go.”
She had kept herself strong throughout the confrontation, but her shoulders slumped once they left the hospital.
Diarmuid put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards himself, then said quietly, “Let’s get you home.”
“Yeah,” she murmured.
When they returned to the mansion, they found Lulu waiting in the living room.
She must have heard the commotion when Abigail left, and Mrs. Watson told her that Abigail’s father had passed away. That was why she waited for her, since she was unable to sleep anyway.
It was the same for Mrs. Watson.
Keeping her distance since Abigail was with Diarmuid, she asked in concern, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah,” Abigail rasped. “It’s late now. Everyone should get some sleep.”
With that, she headed upstairs, with Diarmuid behind her.
Once inside her room, she curled into a ball on her bed. Diarmuid held her from behind, his body. pasted against her dainty figure, offering her silent comfort.
Even so, she never slept–her eyes were open until sunrise, and bloodshot.
Despite feeling worn out, she quietly got out of bed.
Diarmuid did not sleep much either, and only dozed off near sunrise.
Abigail did not want to wake him, and picked up her phone as she headed to the balcony to call Sheryl.
It must have been very early–it took a while for Sheryl to answer.
“Hello… Abigail? Missing Tommy?” Her morning voice was hoarse.
“Mom… Dad is gone,” Abigail said nasally.
“Let him leave all he wants.” Sheryl seemed to misunderstand her.
“He’s dead,” Abigail quietly explained. “You should come back.”
There was no response from the other end as Sheryl’s expression froze.
“Mom? Are you alright?” Abigail asked worriedly.
“1–I’m fine,” Sheryl replied as she came to her senses.
However, she did not sound that way.
“It’ll be difficult to bring Tommy on your own. I’ll go
“No, that’s going to take time. I’ll be there, don’t worry.” Sheryl cut her short.
Although Abigail was worried, Sheryl continued, “I’m bringing nothing for myself, so I can carry everything Tommy needs.”
With that, she hung up.
Abigail could feel how urgent it was for Sheryl just then.
After being married to Lionel for so long, she must have had feelings for him.
The air was chilly in the morning.
Abigail folded her arms, thinking to herself that she should have told Sheryl sooner–she could. have seen Lionel one last time, then.
Lionel’s death was not really peaceful, perhaps because he regretted not being able to see Sheryl one last time.
“What’s on your mind?”
Abigail heard the voice just as she felt a cardigan being draped over shoulders, and she turned to find Diarmuid standing there. His facial features suddenly seemed indistinct and he appeared more languid than usual, though he was much more affable now.
Turning away, she said, “I just called my mom… I should have told her sooner. I’m the reason. why she never got to see my father one last time…
“It’s not your fault. They are their own people, and they can decide for themselves.”
People who are in love would never live apart -separation itself is their own choice, and not something others can decide for them.
They were both adults and could think for themselves independently, which was why Abigail did. not have to feel guilty at all!
Taking a deep breath, Abigail said, “There’s still time. Get some sleep–you didn’t sleep much because of me last night.”
Diarmuid stared into the distance. “It’s fine. I’m staying with you.”
Abigail glanced sideways at him just then.
People are at their most vulnerable when they lose their loved ones.
However, having someone with them–even if they said nothing–staves off the loneliness, offering comfort in spirit!
As the skies brightened, Abigail left without breakfast, refusing Diarmuid’s offer to go with her.
After all, he had work to do, and had already stayed with her long enough. Moreover, she had already composed herself.
The first thing she did is head to the lawyer’s office, and inquire about the legal process of the inheritance. It turns out that Ricky had a legal right to the estate even if Samantha never married Lionel.
It was not as if Abigail wanted the Bernstein estate as her own, but Samantha had basically killed Lionel for the sake of the inheritance.
That was reason enough for Abigail to stop her!
Still, she could not deny Samantha entirely since Ricky had legal capacity to be an heir, meaning that the legal route was futile. She must come up with an idea later too, since the current priority was to arrange for Lionel’s funeral.
No matter how unpleasant things were between them, Lionel was still her father, and her grief was genuine.
However, when she arrived at the hospital to arrange for Lionel’s body to be sent to a funeral home, she found out that it had already been taken away.
Checking the records, she saw that the papers bore Ricky’s signature.
It was only natural–he was Lionel’s son and had every right. On the other hand, Samantha could not have done it since she was not legally married to Lionel.
Abigail rushed to Bernstein Mansion, and to no surprise, she found that Samantha was dressed fully in black and had already set up a funeral, while carrying herself as if she owned the place!
Abigail knew that Samantha was planning to preside over the funeral and convince everyone that she was Lionel’s wife–she was a guest trying to outshine the host!
As she walked into the mansion, Samantha was still ordering everyone around, and glowered when she saw Abigail approaching.
Abigail was the person she wanted the least to show up, because she would rather everyone forgot about her.
“What are you doing here?” she growled at Abigail with a glare.
Abigail was unaffected and not inclined to argue–anything could wait until after Lionel’s funeral.
“I should be asking that question–I’m Lionel’s daughter, and you’re an illegitimate mistress. I have every right to tell you to leave and even make you, and letting you stay is my grace. So understand this: I’m letting you stay because you are the mother to my father’s child, but know who owns this place.”
The word ‘illegitimate‘ left Samantha’s face ashened–it was her Achilles‘ heel, and she always hated Lionel for not marrying her.
She gritted her teeth as Abigail headed into the mansion. Murderous intent seized her right. then, as she realized that Ricky would never claim the entirety of the Bernstein estate as long as Abigail was alive!
Seeing that Abigail was walking toward a steel shelf, a venomous look appeared in her eyes and she darted forward, pushing it just as Abigail passed through underneath, sending it crashing down on Abigail!
“Die, Abigail Bernstein!” she laughed vilely.
Abigail noticed the movement, and her eyes widened in shock and disbelief as the steel shelf loomed!
“Watch out!” someone called out.
Then, before the steel shelf reached her, a dark figure ran to her side, pushing her firmly away from the falling shelf.
With a loud crash, the shelf collapsed, and Abigail’s face turned pale when she saw who it was who saved her!
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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