Chapter 9
Abigail
I walked away from my room with deliberate steps, my fingers still tingling from the anger I had suppressed during my conversation with Conrad. The gall of his request was enough to make my blood ball. Yet, I hadn’t allowed my voice to rise. I couldn’t.
But it still echoed in my ears. Lend Susanna my jewelry? The set he’d just given me last night as a token of his appreciation? Did he even hear himself?
“Abigail,” Conrad called after me, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he hurried to catch up. It followed me even as 1 tried to walk faster. His hand closed around my arm, halting my steps. “Wait.”
“Don’t walk away like this,” he said, his brows knitted together. “What’s wrong with you today? Why are you making this such a big deal?”
I turned to him slowly, keeping my face calm, though the fury simmering beneath threatened to boil over. What’s wrong with me? Conrad, you just asked me to strip away what little respect I have left in this household and hand it over to your brother’s widow. Forgive me if that doesn’t exactly sit well.” My lips curved into a cold smile. “Is there anything else Susanna needs from me?” I asked smoothly. “Perhaps the position of your wife?”
He flinched, his hand dropping away as if my words had burned him. “How could you think that?” he asked, his voice strained. “It’s just a piece of jewelry, Abigail. Why would it lead to this?”
Ffolded my arms, silently daring him to explain himself.
Conrad sighed, running a hand through his hair. His face was tight. “You know this isn’t about Susanna, it’s about Alexander.” he said firmly. “He once paid all your mom’s medical bills without hesitation, and he’s done a lot for me too. He was a good man, and Susanna’s baby is all that’s left of him. After everything that’s happened to him, the least I can do is take care of his child. Don’t you think we owe him this much? Susanna is his legacy, Abigail”
I bit back a sharp response. There it was again, Alexander. The ghost who loomed over every decision Conrad made concerning Susanna. And for a moment, my heart softened. Alexander had been kind to me in the past. I had respected him deeply. He had been a generous brother–in–law, supported me in ways that the rest of the family often wasn’t. He deserved respect, but how far was I expected to bend?
Did I have to bow to every whim of the person who claimed to carry his legacy?
For a moment, I said nothing. Then, with deliberate calmness, I said, “Fine. I’ll lend her the jewelry. But, Conrad,” I stepped closer, holding his gaze, “don’t push me into endless compromises for Susanna’s sake. My patience has limits.”
Relief swept across his face. “I understand. And I promise, if Susanna ever crosses the line again, I’ll make it up to you. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
The corner of my mouth twitched into a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Really? Whatever I want?”
Conrad smiled and said, “Of course, you can say it now.”
“Then compensate me with shares in the company.”
The words tumbled out before I could think better of them. had meant it as a jab, expecting him to dismiss the idea outright, but instead, Conrad surprised me. “Fine,” he said simply, without hesitation. He didn’t flit
I blinked, caught off guard. He was serious. I have to say, this proves his sincerity more than a hundred of his explanations.
14
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
I’ve been dealing with a lot of company stuff lately, but I never thought about this. It feels like this surprise has opened a new door for me.
“I knew you’d understand, Abigail,” my husband said, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. I watched him walk away, a realization dawning. I hadn’t meant the suggestion seriously, but the opportunity was too good to ignore. If Susanna was going to disrupt my life, the least I could do was secure my future. Independence wasn’t just a luxury anymore—it was a necessity. No matter the games Susanna wanted to play, I would make sure I was prepared for anything she threw my way.
I quickly went back to my room and called my friend Roxy the company.
“Abigail!” Roxy’s cheerful voice greeted me. “It’s been forever. What’s up?”
I purposely said in a serious tone, “Miss Roxy, as your new boss, I need to assess your work.”
“What?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her confused question. I quickly explained the situation, and we made plans to meet tomorrow and talk more.
Roxy’s enthusiasm was immediate. “We’ll hit the mall. Your call came at the perfect time, I need a break, girl.”
Her excitement was contagious, and I found myself smiling, “That sounds perfect. I could use a few hours away.
Any time spent away from Susanna was a blessing.
The next morning, I left early, enjoying the rare freedom of walking out the door without Susanna’s piercing gaze following me. Roxy and I met at a bustling café in the mall, her smile as bright as the last time I had seen it. She waved at me from a corner table, where two cups of coffee were already waiting. We spent the morning sipping coffee and discussing company structures, brainstorming all the responsibilities that I would get once I got my shares.
“You’ve got this,” Roxy said confidently as the waitress care to take our empty cups away. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. If you take on an active role, you’ll thrive.”
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at her praise as we left the shop and entered the open space of the mall.
“And you know what? Susanna thought she was going to inserit the whole company. Three days after the boss’s incident, she rushed to our company, tried to get into the CEO’s office. Thank God she didn’t become my new boss…”
That was when it happened.
We had just stepped out of the café when a sharp impact hit me from the side. A teenage boy had barreled toward me, his shoulder slamming into mine with enough force to make me stumble.
“Abigail!” Roxy exclaimed, grabbing my arm to steady me. Careful!” she yelled to the boy.
I turned to him, my hand instinctively reaching for the sore spot on my shoulder. “Are you alright?” I asked, half- expecting an apology.
But instead of remorse, his face twisted into a scowl. “What’s your problem, sicko?” he snapped loudly, his voice carrying across the open space of the mall.
I blinked, confused. “Excuse me?”
“How dare you touch me!” he shouted, clutching his shoulder dramatically. “What’s wrong with you?”
I blinked, stunned. “I… What?”
2/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
“You heard me!” he snapped, his voice rising to draw the attention of nearby shoppers. “You put your hand in my pants!”
A small crowd began to form, whispers spreading like wildfire.
“Is she crazy?” someone murmured.
My cheeks burned, but I forced myself to remain calm. “I didn’t touch you,” I said evenly.
The boy’s face twisted into an expression of exaggerated pain. “You think you can just get away with this? What kind of person picks on a kid?”
A murmur spread through the onlookers, some shaking their heads while others muttered words of disbelief. “Unbelievable,” Roxy muttered beside me, her grip tightening on my arm. “What is he even talking about?”
I ignored her, my focus on the boy. His performance was convincing, I’d give him that. He clutched his shoulder as if I’d dislocated it, wincing and grimacing for the benefit of the growing audience.
“Someone call security!” he shouted, pointing at me with his free hand. “She’s crazy!”
