Chapter 7
1024 Words
"If I wanted to do something to you, I could have done it already." His fingers were tightly intertwined, yet Randolph's tone remained unnervingly calm. "In City B, you won’t find a job. Even your daily life will be affected."
"Take this hundred million and leave—it’s your best option."
"Next time, you won’t get such a good chance."
Shoving Abigail aside again, Randolph looked down at her and took a sip of his drink.
The wine was rich, smooth, perfect.
Abigail slumped to one side, her eyes blazing with unhidden anger. "I can’t go."
"A wine girl like you, and you still dream of soaring high, becoming a phoenix?" Randolph raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Think whatever you want." Abigail turned her face away, refusing to waste another thought on this inexplicable man.
She still had no idea who he was.
Only the mention of "Dante" hinted at some grudge he held against him. He stared at her, as if wary…
Her thoughts were abruptly cut off by a fierce kick. "Who allowed you to speak so rudely?"
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. This time, Abigail didn’t even flinch, and her clear eyes shone with restrained anger.
Rich people were all the same—trampling on ordinary people’s dignity for amusement, relying on money and power.
Yet Abigail, kneeling upright, smiled. "Can you tell me your name?"
She had neither the ability nor the right to resist, but at least she could know who her future enemy was.
She vowed to make those who trampled on her dignity pay the price.
For a moment, Randolph paused. The stubbornness and hatred in her eyes seemed etched into her bones. Back then, Dante had the same look when facing Tazanna.
In an instant, Randolph put away the strange look and replaced it with a playful smile.
This woman seemed… interesting.
Destroying her would be effortless. But suddenly, he wanted to see if she was worth it.
Without another glance at Abigail, kneeling firmly, Randolph turned and left.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Her clenched fists slowly relaxed. The bloodthirsty hatred began to push away the last flicker of light in Abigail’s eyes, settling deep within her sparkling pupils.
She sniffed and let out a bitter, unwilling smile.
Supporting herself on her knees, Abigail stood, taking slow, heavy steps toward the door. She could not fall yet…
That night, Abigail couldn’t sleep.
Behind the hatred lingered fear.
Yet, the next day, she returned to the bar as usual, and the following days passed uneventfully. The man’s appearance seemed like a fleeting, uncomfortable moment.
But the fear buried deep inside continued to torment her. She never worried about how threatened she was; her only concern was not being able to earn money, to help her sister, and to avenge her.
Many times, Abigail had contemplated death.
Yet reason kept reminding her—she couldn’t.
She hadn’t seen her sister in a week…
Finally, after struggling with herself, Abigail came to the hospital.
It was already two in the morning. Everything was silent. Visitors were not allowed at this hour, so Abigail climbed over the wall.
She hadn’t planned to visit Alice that month—she feared hearing hope in her sister’s voice, feared confronting her own helplessness.
But this time, it was she who needed comfort.
Alice lay quietly in bed, her face still and childlike. Under the moonlight, Abigail faintly saw the tear stains at the corners of her sister’s eyes.
Since losing her sight in the car accident, Alice rarely smiled. But whenever Abigail was around, she would pretend to be happy.
Abigail knew, yet she dared not confront it.
Alice’s condition was complicated. She was weak, hospitalized in preparation for the corneal transplant. Daily medical expenses alone were overwhelming; the operation fee seemed like a fantasy.
Yet Alice was the only family Abigail had left.
No matter how hard or exhausting it was, she would persevere.
Trembling, Abigail reached out to the small figure in the bed.
If only… her parents’ company hadn’t gone bankrupt, hadn’t jumped from the building due to insurmountable debts. If not, perhaps none of this would have happened.
She had once been a willful, mischievous girl.
In an instant, she became the only one holding up a shattered home.
Her fingertips stopped just an inch from Alice’s cheek.
Sniffling, Abigail gently wiped away a tear from the corner of her sister’s eye.
She silently promised—not to cry anymore.
"Sis… is that you?" The girl on the bed suddenly opened her eyes, looking toward the sound.
A lump rose in Abigail’s throat. She covered her mouth to prevent herself from sobbing.
Alice’s once bright and innocent eyes now seemed empty.
"Are you the one who came to see me?" Alice’s voice trembled, carrying a note of prayer.
Abigail had planned to leave quietly once Alice slept again. But hearing this, she couldn’t. She gently stroked her sister’s hair, suppressing her tears. "Alice, did I wake you?"
Alice took Abigail’s hand and shook her head. "No… I slept too much today. I often wake up at night."
Her smile was bright, like a warm spring sun.
Gently brushing Alice’s hair, Abigail said, "How about hiring a nurse tomorrow? You won’t have to worry, and you could go out during the day. Your daily life would be easier."
Alice was still a minor and needed company.
But Abigail could rarely be there. And even when she could, she feared facing the cruel reality again.
"No need, sir. Don’t worry about me. You’ve worked so hard already. And hiring a nurse costs a lot. If you save the money… maybe I can have the transplant sooner?" Alice smiled.
A spark of hope seemed to relight her dimmed eyes.
For a moment, Abigail almost didn’t want her sister to regain her sight.
Because…
"I’ve been useless… two years, and I still haven’t saved enough." Abigail hugged Alice tightly, voice choked with apology. "Don’t worry. Next time, I’ll work harder. I’ll earn the money, so you can see again as soon as possible."
- Writer
