“Boo–hoo…”
Tommy was suddenly crying.
Mrs. Watson had just arrived downstairs after cleaning the rooms upstairs, and heard Tommy’s crying.
“Why do I hear a baby crying?” she asked aloud in curiosity.
Mrs. Watson then noticed the tiny child in Abigail’s arms, and hurried toward her, asking, Where’s this baby from?”
Before Abigail could answer, she asked, “Is he yours, Ms. Adams?”
Lulu glanced at Abigail and smiled tenderly. “I wish–I’m not that lucky.”
That naturally puzzled Mrs. Watson. “Then, whose is he?”
“Mine,” Abigail replied.
Mrs. Watson gaped. “Mrs. Althoff… W–What did you just say?”
Suddenly coming up with an idea, she asked, “Could he be Mr. Althoff’s?”
Abigail shook her head. “No.”
“What?!” Mrs. Watson became flustered. “If he isn’t… then who’s the father? Did you have a child with another man?”
“Yes,” Abigail replied, having no intention of denying it.
“Abigail.” A deep, slightly angry growl could be heard behind her just then.
Abigail turned to find Henry leaning against his crutch at the doorway. He was glowering, and must have overheard her conversation with Mrs. Watson.
“Come with me,” he growled, and headed to Diarmuid’s study.
Moneypenny was with him, and he leveled a cool, accusing look at Abigail as well.
After all, Henry had admired Abigail in the past, and even held high hopes for her.
To think that she was actually so… unseemly!
Abigail passed Tommy to Lulu and quietly said, “Wait in your room.”
Lulu nodded and warily brought Tommy to her room.
At the same time, Mrs. Watson was staring worriedly at Abigail. “Mrs. Althoff…”
Even so, Abigail had to face this–Henry would eventually find out anyway. Taking a deep breath, she entered the study, and Moneypenny closed the door behind her.
“Come here,” Henry commanded, and Abigail went to stand before the desk.
“So, you really cheated on Diarmuid?” he asked.
He was already aware of the rumors, but to see it with his own eyes infuriated him further.
After all, he was the one who had arranged for Abigail to marry Diarmuid.
But now that things had turned out like this, how could he face his own son or Diarmuid?!
Abigail said nothing.
Bang!
Taking her silence for admission, Henry slammed his palm on the table, startling Abigail and making her flinch!
It was the first time she had seen him being this angry–he had always been kind to her.
Even so, she knew very well that she was the one at fault.
“I’m sorry…”
“Fat load of good that does!” Henry huffed.
Moneypenny patted his back to calm him. “Sir, you knew about this. There’s no need to get upset you would only harm your health.”
Indeed, Henry was furious when he first found out, but to see Abigail holding a living child with. his own eyes…
He had trusted her so much, even footing the bill for her mother’s surgery, only for her to humiliate and betray Diarmuid!
This was how she repaid his favor!
“You’re nothing compared to your grandfather!” Henry bellowed.
In fact, the reason he was still being this polite was because Abigail’s grandfather had saved his life!
Eventually calming down, he said, “You don’t deserve to stay with Diarmuid after this.”
Abigail agreed, but things were different for them now–they had feelings for each other.
“Henry…”
“Don’t call me that!” Henry snapped, cutting her short. “I was the one who consented to this. marriage from the start, so I shall end it myself now!”
Suddenly, Abigail felt as if something was stuck in her chest, suffocating her.
“You’re not insisting on staying, are you?” Henry growled, seeing the look on her face. “Are you really making a bastard called Diarmuid daddy? Would he accept that? Do you think I would?” Abigail suddenly realized that she had missed out something important–Diarmuid was the heir to his family’s inestimable wealth!
The greater the dynasty, the more selective they were about bloodlines.
Even if Diarmuid insisted that he did not mind and was willing to raise Tommy as his own, would Henry allow Tommy in the family, when the blood of the Althoffs did not flow in his veins? It was maybe acceptable for the average family, but not for a dynasty, especially with a throne and money at stake.
Abigail realized that she had been delusional. Having focused on herself and Diarmuid, she had ignored innumerable external elements, along with the environment where Tommy would be raised, or if she would hurt him spiritually.
She was so obsessed with herself that she had neglected him.
She was obliged to provide a stable, comfortable environment for Tommy, not a dynasty with convoluted relations.
Meeting Henry’s gaze, she said, “I’ll leave.”
Henry was naturally satisfied with her attitude. “I won’t harass you since you’re being agreeable. I’ll handle the paperwork for the divorce, since I was the one who registered your marriage anyway.”
“Of course.” Abigail hung her head. “I’ve let you down, even though you saved my mom…
“Save it. Words mean nothing after that mess. One way or another, I don’t want to see that child in my house, and I have a task for you.”
Henry’s tone was becoming increasingly impolite, but he believed that Abigail was obligated to help after the mess she caused.
“Of course,” Abigail was willing to help, since he did save her mother–if nothing else, she did. not have to feel guilty afterward.
“There’s a woman named Kathy York who is working for Diarmuid. She’ll replace you, but Diarmuid is unwilling to divorce you. As such, I want you to make him hate you.”
“Can I ask for something else?” Abigail asked.
She did not want things to be so bitter with Diarmuid even if she had to leave.
“Fine,” Henry replied with no hesitation. “Get Diarmuid to fall for Kathy.”
Abigail frowned—the first one was actually better! How could she bear to play matchmaker for the man she loved?
“What, you think you can’t do it?” Henry asked icily, convinced that she was already making excuses and not actually willing to help him.
“I’m sure you know Diarmuid’s temper, sir,” Abigail pointed out. “Do you think I really have what it takes to control him? I can only promise to do my best, but don’t blame me if I don’t succeed.”
Despite what she said, she knew that she could not refuse Henry, and must repay him for saving her mother–otherwise, he would use it persistently as leverage against her in the future.
On the other hand, Henry mused to himself for a while. “You’re right. Diarmuid’s temper is not to be trifled with… Just do your best.”
Then, turning toward Moneypenny, he growled, “Send orders to everyone who saw or heard what happened here. Tell them that Diarmuid is not to be informed.”
“Yes, sir,” Moneypenny replied, and left.
Henry then turned toward Abigail. “That means you too.”
“I know,” Abigail replied.
Satisfied, Henry left the mansion, and Abigail headed downstairs as well–she had to lean.
against the scaffolding, since she felt as if her whole body had turned soft.
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.