The Marriage She Turned into War novel Chapter 11

Abigail smiled slightly maliciously and stepped right in front of me as she said, "With one word, I can make every hospital in this city refuse to admit Kayla ever again."

A chill prickled across my scalp, and I shook my head, terrified.

Abigail had lots of influence, more than anyone else I knew. She had wealth, power, and connections. Even the biggest players couldn't afford to cross her.

She could make it impossible for Kayla to get the treatment she needed if she wanted.

And while I was ready to risk my own life, Kayla was my little sister. She was so young, with so much left to experience and so much of the world she still hadn't even seen. How could anyone be this cruel to a child?

Panic surged through me. I clutched Abigail's hand desperately, my voice cracking as I begged, "Kayla's too young for this. She won't survive it. I swear that you'll never see me again if you leave her alone. I'll stay far, far away from you."

Abigail slapped my hand away with a sharp smack, her expression colder than ice as she looked down at me with the arrogance of a queen.

"Samuel, know your place. Don't waste my time with such pointless defiance. You're just making me sick." She sneered.

My breath came fast and shallow, and my lips were pale. I didn't know how to stop her from going after Kayla, and I couldn't afford to take any chances.

Without those machines, even half a day's delay could be deadly for her.

People around us were staring, their eyes full of pity.

Then, Joshua stepped forward and came between me and Abigail. He kept up his usual gentle, understanding demeanor and tried to mediate.

"Abigail, don't be mad at Samuel. This is all my fault. Samuel, please let me apologize to you."

He was about to bow to me in apology, but Abigail grabbed him and stopped him mid-motion.

She fixed her icy gaze on me, and her voice was sharp like a blade as she asked, "Why should you apologize to him?"

With that single sentence, the atmosphere froze over completely.

Everyone was watching with grim expressions, waiting to see what I would do next.

For Kayla's sake, I couldn't afford to push Abigail any further. All I could do was lower my head in humiliation and bow as I apologized to Joshua.

"I'm sorry. Today's mess was my fault. I apologize."

I was sincere, but Abigail wasn't satisfied.

She looked at me with a mocking smile, and her tone dripped with disdain as she asked, "Samuel, do you think that's all it'll take?"

"What more do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling. My eyes were red, and my breaths were coming in harsh gasps.

Abigail raised her hand and gestured around us. Her expression was calm, but her voice was commanding as she said, "You're going to carry up as many cases of water as there are people in here—one by one. And no help is allowed."

As soon as she said that, a ripple of shock passed through the crowd.

This gym was huge. It was a five-story building, packed with at least 500, or maybe even 1000 members, on any given day.

Abigail's demand was clearly designed to make things as grueling as possible for me.

But since everyone knew of her status, no one dared to speak up. Maybe they were all just waiting to see how thoroughly she and Joshua would humiliate me.

I knew she wouldn't take back her order. So, I turned and walked out, heading to the store next door to order 500 cases of water.

The store clerk was friendly and offered to have the cases delivered for me. But when I remembered Abigail's cold, taunting gaze, I could only shake my head and refuse.

"No, it's fine. I'll carry them myself…"

My response left the clerk stunned.

She looked at my thin, worn-out frame in disbelief and said cautiously, "But… these are heavy. You're going to exhaust yourself…"