Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 399: Trapped in the Past (2)
"He was everything Richard wasn’t. He was charming and kind. He spoke politely to anyone, and I’ve never seen him get mad or throw a fit for trivial things, which Richard did. We both like the arts, and I spent more time with him, discussing several techniques and interpreting the paintings displayed in the gallery. For the first time in my life, I felt at peace."
As their friendship deepened, she couldn’t help but be drawn to his presence and how he effortlessly understood her emotions. Abigail could laugh with him and be herself when she was with him. However, that peace was short-lived once they discovered each other’s identities.
Harvey tried to keep his distance from her, but Abigail was already in love with him and couldn’t ignore their strong connection. Despite the challenges they faced, their feelings for each other only grew stronger, which complicated things more than they already were.
"It was my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen in love with my fiancé’s younger brother," Abigail continued. "Because of me, Harvey and Lennox had to suffer miserably. It was only a month after my wedding to Richard that I found out I was pregnant. Of course, Richard was livid, but in my defense, I begged him not to push the marriage between us because I knew I wouldn’t be the wife he deserved and needed.
"My heart was already set for Harvey. Richard and my father threatened to ruin Harvey’s life for good if I didn’t marry Richard. When I found out I was pregnant with Lennox, I begged Richard to set me free and divorce me, but he wouldn’t. He saw my child as a bastard, a reminder that his wife was someone else’s woman and that someone was none other than his younger brother."
Adrienne was rendered speechless hearing her mother-in-law’s recollection. She could relate to Abigail’s situation because she had once been in a similar situation with an egotistical and obsessive man who didn’t care about the feelings of others.
"He had multiple affairs during our marriage, and I allowed him to humiliate me because, at that time, I didn’t care what he felt for me and chose to focus all my attention on the child in my womb. I heard all the women he’d been with resembled me in so many ways. Perhaps he was trying to insult me by doing it, or maybe he thought that going after other women would make me feel jealous of them. It didn’t work if that was what he was planning. In fact, I only despise him even more. He couldn’t give me an ounce of respect as his wife, even if it were just on paper. I couldn’t be with Harvey, but at least I have Lennox. He was the reason why I was able to keep my sanity back then because if I didn’t have Lennox, I would have slit my wrist and died a long time ago."
Adrienne felt a chill hearing Abigail’s confession. It somehow reminded her of the time when she was losing her mind after hearing her mother and Myrtle’s passing. Dylan’s existence had given her a reason to continue living. Before him, killing herself had crossed Adrienne’s mind several times. She couldn’t imagine how she would have coped without Dylan’s presence in her life. He became her anchor, reminding her of the love and joy that still existed in the world, even in the darkest times.
She couldn’t help but shed tears as Abigail continued her recollection. Abigail must have felt so alone and defeated, with no one she could turn to for support. Adrienne’s heart ached for her, knowing the pain of feeling isolated and hopeless. She wished someone could have been there for Abigail, offering a listening ear and a comforting presence during such a difficult time.
"Don’t cry, Addie? I didn’t mean to make you cry by telling you these." Her mother-in-law said it in a gentle tone.
Adrienne smiled and wiped her tears dry.
"It’s alright, Mom. Please continue. I want to hear what happened next." She insisted.
"I knew Lennox was Harvey’s child when I first held him in my arms. He was beautiful and small. His tiny fingers wrapped around mine, and I felt an overwhelming surge of love and protectiveness towards him at that moment. Lennox became why I woke up every morning—my motivation to keep pushing forward despite the challenges life threw at me."
Abigail felt so many emotions rushing through her as she remembered the past. Her tiny little son, whom she adored the most, was now a grown man who had blossomed into someone she could not be prouder of.
"When Lennox started to walk and speak, I could see the hatred in Richard’s eyes when he looked at him. I know what he was thinking, but I couldn’t change his mind about not letting Lennox get involved in our issue. It was us, the adults, who committed wrong. My son was just a child, but Richard didn’t spare Lennox from verbal abuse."
The expression on her face suddenly went cold when she remembered that memory of seeing her son berated harshly by her husband. It was a wake-up call for Abigail, as she realized things would get worse if she allowed herself to stay in her sham marriage with Richard.
"I decided I had enough of him. I decided to divorce him. I wouldn’t allow Richard to hurt my son any further, but it became a messy fight I hadn’t anticipated. The divorce proceedings dragged on for two years, with both parties refusing to compromise. Despite the difficulties, I remained determined to protect Lennox and ensure his safety and well-being, but Richard was sent to punish me further."
"He didn’t want to divorce you?" Adrienne questioned.
"Yes, he didn’t want to. Richard thought I’d go running and find Harvey if our divorce was finalized. He also threatened to reveal Lennox’s birth father if I dared to leave him, but I insisted on not having anything with him anymore. I could endure the disrespect he showed me, but I cannot tolerate the things and words he said to my son."
Adrienne’s eyes narrowed dangerously. She was thankful Richard Qin wasn’t around when she entered Lennox’s life. If Richard Qin had survived that accident, she had no doubt he would have made things difficult for him and Lennox.
