Chapter 13 Break Her
I
Sasha greeted her with a smile, “You made, Caddy! I hope the traffic wasn’t too bad.
Candace was wearing a white dress, and with her long black hair cascading straight down her back, she appeared demure and thoughtful. “There was no traffic at all, Mrs. Lockhart. Stephen is an excellent driver, so we arrived in no time.”
Zachary chimed in, “You should wash your hands and join us for dinner.”
His demeanor was kind and friendly, which was a stark contrast to the indifference he had shown Abigail.
All the household staff greeted her with warm smiles, “Ms. Blue, the chef went all out today, knowing that you were coming! There’s a ton of your favorite dishes.”
Candace’s appearance immediately dissolved the tense atmosphere that had been building up earlier.
Abigail stood to the side, watching the scene in a daze. It was clear that the Lockharts didn’t like her. They all liked Candace instead.
It suddenly dawned on her stephen had allowed her to come to Lockhart Manor.
He was implicitly informing her that she wasn’t liked or welcomed by the Lockhart family.
He didn’t just want to hurt her. He wanted to break her completely.
It was ironic that she had taken such pains with her appearance, clinging to the hope of acceptance and affection from the Lockhart family.
Abigail’s hands tightened into fists, with her nails biting into her palms. The sting of pain served as a reminder for her to keep her composure.
Stephen’s eyes were dark and brooding as his gaze settled on her pale face. A wave of irritation washed over him, but his voice remained even as he instructed, “Go and wash your hands.”
How could she bring herself to eat in that situation?
“F
“Are you Abigail?”
At that moment, Candace’s attention turned toward her, and she approached with a warm smile, saying, “I’ve known about you for a while and have always wanted to
thank you in person for taking care of Stephen for the past year.”
It appeared as if she was sincerely grateful to Abigail, her eyes sparkling with an unclouded innocence.
At that moment, a wave of shame washed over Abigail. It was as though she were the interloper in a love triangle who was refusing to step aside.
“You’re welcome,” she replied, her voice hoarse.
They went into the bathroom and stood at the sink, washing their hands.
Abigail lowered her gaze, and she suddenly caught sight of Candace’s legs beneath her dress, causing her pupils to constrict sharply.
One of her legs was fitted with a prosthetic limb!
Candace noticed her gaze and smiled faintly as she said, “I hope I didn’t startle you. My leg was injured two years ago while rescuing Stephen. Thankfully, with over two years of rehabilitation and getting used to it, I can walk normally again.”
Abigail quickly averted her gaze and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
Candace patted her hands dry and gazed at her, saying, “It’s alright. I’ve gotten used to those stares over the last two years. But I have to ask, when are you planning to divorce Stephen? I’m thankful for your care of him over the past year, but Stephen and I are very much in love. Can you please return him to me?”
Abigail’s breath hitched in her chest, and she couldn’t get a single word out.
So, was this what Stephen meant by taking responsibility for Candace? Moreover, they were deeply in love.
What about the year she and Stephen had shared then? What did that year amount
to?
It seemed that year held no weight compared to Candace’s sacrifice. If it had truly mattered, Stephen wouldn’t have let her go so readily.
Abigail briefly closed her eyes and said, “I’ll give it some thought.”
Candace said with a smile, “Please make it quick, then. I wouldn’t want Stephen to be unfairly labeled as being ungrateful since I’ve helped him in the past.”
With that, she left the bathroom first.
Abigail remained motionless, her mind reeling from the encounter.
Did his actions not betray a profound lack of gratitude, considering that she had sheltered and cared for him when he had amnesia and was mute, only to be cast
aside upon his recovery?