Not One, But Two!
Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Greg's frown remained on his face even after he heard Valerie's words, and he dragged Abigail to hisstudy before addressing her in an angry tone. "Why are you only telling me about having two daughtersnow?"

Abigail, on the other hand, was rather calm as she sat down on one of the chairs. "If you had continuedto fight for child custody, I might have never told you about this," she muttered.

"You sure are a realist." Greg was so furious that his chest was hurting. He had met both the girls, buthe hadn't realized that they were two different children. He had assumed that his daughter just had anunstable personality, but he then realized how careless he had been.

Abigail didn't say much—she kept quiet and allowed Greg to digest it on his own. Usually, Gregwouldn't have as much patience if the person in front of him wasn't Abigail. When he saw Abigailpicking a book up without looking the least bit guilty, he was angrier than ever. She's so sure that Iwon't do anything to her, huh?

Greg stepped forward and snatched her book away before glaring down at her. The grumpy look on hisface reminded Abigail of Alissa. Abigail sighed. "Why are you throwing a tantrum? I'm the one whogave birth to the kids—I already struggled with one, and I was nearly sent to my deathbed when givingbirth to the second. One way or another, I already told you the truth now, right? Should I havecontinued to keep it a secret from you?"

Greg froze. He didn't know how tough it was for a pregnant lady, but Cody had once told him that thebirth of every child was also a near-death experience for their mother. Abigail had to give birth to two…Greg's anger disappeared after that. "Didn't you think of contacting me while you were giving birth?"

Abigail felt the urge to roll her eyes. "I would have had no idea who you were if I hadn't returned to thecountry this time. How was I supposed to call you?" she grumbled. Her words made Greg's heart ache.

"Were you afraid?" he asked.

"What?"

"I'm asking if you were afraid when you were on the surgical table alone, giving birth to your kids," hemuttered. Abigail froze. Was I afraid? Of course I was afraid. It's my first time being a mother.

All of the pregnant ladies had their husbands with them, but she was all alone. Hugh had something todo back then, and he couldn't make it back in time since her contractions had started earlier thanexpected. She was in so much pain that she thought both her and her babies would die. Things wereespecially tough when her water broke—she thought she was about to collapse there and then.

If it weren't for the babies in her stomach and own resilience, she might not have survived the birth ofher twins. That was the first time she felt so close to death. She could still feel the sense ofhelplessness even six months after her babies were born. If it weren't for her babies' wails, she mighthave even…

Abigail's gaze darkened for a moment. All of a sudden, Greg reached over and held her hand beforepulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry I wasn't around when you needed me. I promise this won't happenin the future. Also, thank you for giving birth to my two adorable daughters. I'll always be grateful foryour sacrifice, and I'll be willing to do anything you want me to do in the future."

His words weren't especially romantic, yet Abigail felt like she was about to tear up after hearing whathe said. It was rare for a man to utter such words to her. Hugh had only threatened the doctor to saveher life after he found out that she had been bleeding excessively during childbirth. Apart from that,Hugh had been rather awkward and hadn't said much after she gave birth. She knew she wasn't

someone who appreciated sweet-talkers, yet she felt touched after hearing what Greg said. A surge ofwarmth seemed to melt the ice around her cold heart.

"You're exaggerating it. I'd appreciate it enough if you just didn't fight for custody of my children," shesaid.

"I won't. You nearly sacrificed your life for these children. Who am I to take them away from you? You'rethe one who was pregnant for ten months, and you're the one who had a near-death experience duringchildbirth. Would I still be human if I were to snatch your children away from you?" he asked.

Abigail finally felt a little safer after hearing his words. It was then that she realized how close they wereto each other. "Let go of me!" Abigail tried to push him away, but he didn't budge at all. Greg realizedthat the woman's scent was oddly pleasing, and he found himself struggling to maintain control whenhe touched her soft skin.

Greg hastily let go of Abigail after that. "Where's Alissa?" Greg intentionally changed the topic. Whydoes the air in this study feel so warm? he wondered.

Abigail's face was rather flushed as well. "She's with Hugh," Abigail explained.

"What?" Greg got nervous all of a sudden. "Do you know how dangerous it is to allow a young girl torun off with that man, Hugh?" he protested.

"Your daughter's martial art skills are better than you think. Furthermore, Hugh started teaching her at ayoung age, so she has no issues with self-defense," Abigail replied.

"I don't care. I can't have my daughter hanging out with that dangerous man. Did you return to Roreabecause something happened to Alissa?" Greg felt especially worried since Abigail had hurried offwithout an explanation earlier.

"No. It was Hugh." Abigail immediately denied Greg's claims. Right then, Greg felt both relieved andsomewhat troubled. She was rushing all the way back just for Hugh?! What's so great about that guy?But Greg didn't make any comments since he knew about the relationship between Hugh and Abigail.

"Let's go downstairs. Otherwise, we don't know what Arianna and Old Madam Buckley might think ofus," Abigail suggested after she saw that Greg had calmed down.

"What can we do? When does Alissa come home?" Greg was eager to see his elder daughter.However, Abigail shook her head. "Hugh said that he would send Alissa over a little later as he hassome matters to handle."

"No way. I don't want my daughter to be in danger. I have to bring her back!" Impatient, Greg tuggedthe study door open. To his surprise, Arianna and Old Madam Buckley stumbled into the room. Valeriedidn't seem embarrassed for eavesdropping on them. "You brat. Why didn't you warn us beforeopening the door? I nearly fell to my death," she grumbled.

Arianna, on the other hand, got up without saying anything. She stuck her tongue out as she hurried tohelp Valerie up. Abigail was rather puzzled, while Greg was utterly frustrated. "How old are you, Mom?How could you still eavesdrop like this?"

"I just wanted to see if you were bullying Abigail," Valerie uttered in a righteous tone. She had changedfrom calling Abigail 'Dr. Kain' to her actual name. Abigail felt the urge to laugh when she realized this.All along, she thought old women in rich families were classy, dignified, and haughty people, and shehadn't expected Valerie to be so animated.

Abigail hurried over and helped Valerie to a seat as she beamed. "You can listen to whatever you wantto listen to, and you can do it openly. It wouldn't be worth it to fall for such things, Old Madam Buckley,"Abigail uttered.

"No way. Things wouldn't be as fun that way. Anyway, look at that brat. He doesn't tell me stuff,anyway." Valerie continued to speak as if she had been right to eavesdrop. My mom can really be like akid sometimes, Greg thought. "You should stay with Abigail, Mom. I'll go bring Alissa home."

"I'll follow you," Abigail uttered. She was afraid that Hugh and Greg might get into a fight againotherwise. "Yes, you guys go ahead. I'm an old lady, so I don't need many people to be around me.Just Arianna will be enough." Valerie desperately wanted her son and Abigail to spend time together,so she had to seize the opportunity when she saw it.

Greg knew what was going on in his mother's head, but he didn't say anything else. He realized howthings seemed rather comfortable between him and Abigail—there was no pressure between them.

They packed up and headed out. The flight duration to Rorea was 3 hours, and they waited around inthe lounge area after buying the tickets. Abigail had to pee, so she rushed off to the toilet. When Abigailcame out, she turned as she heard someone calling her name. She found Jonathan standing in front ofthe male's toilet while staring at her with a look of admiration in his eyes. "Is that really you? Where areyou headed, Abigail? Or did you just come back from somewhere?" Jonathan's face was filled with joyas he hurried over to her. He was about to hold her hand when she hastily dodged his grip. "Do I knowyou?" Abigail was polite and distant from him.

Jonathan froze for a moment as a crack seemed to appear on his perfect, smiling face. "Are you stillangry, Abigail? I know my mistake. I should've trusted you five years ago, and I—"

"The past is in the past. I don't want to talk about it." Abigail turned to leave, but Jonathan continued tochase after her. "Please give me a chance, Abigail. I've been missing you for five years," Jonathanuttered.

"Miss me? Did you forget that Emma is your fiancée?" Abigail felt no respect for men like him. Heclaims that he can't forget about me while he sticks around to Emma like he's glued to her. Does he

think that I can't let go of him to the point that I would be willing to share him with Emma? What a joke!

Jonathan felt his face turning red upon hearing Abigail. "Emma and I aren't interested in each other inthat way. Back then, when the Kain Family needed my help, I did the same to help—"

"Stop sugar-coating everything. Why did you choose to believe Emma and not me five years ago? Doyou really want me to lay out everything clearly? Or do you guys think I was an idiot who didn't knowwhat you guys had done behind my back?" Abigail's footsteps came to a halt, and her sharp gazemade Jonathan feel rather self-conscious.

"I didn't do anything five years ago, Abigail. You were the one who—"

"Sure, sure. I was the one who was tricked into losing my virginity. But while that was happening, whatwere you doing as my boyfriend? When I got home, you came over and pointed fingers at me afterlistening to Emma's story. Did you forget how you walked out of Emma's room? And that vintage scentthat was all over Emma's body… Don't you dare tell me that wasn't your cologne!" Abigail hadn'tintended to put all these things out there, but she was annoyed at Jonathan's pretentious act.