Chap 103 – End
Gladwin, Abigail, Jonas, and the man named Hendrick, along with one more person who introduced himself as Ramon, now stand in the hallway of the hospital, which is starting to empty.
“As I promised earlier, I didn’t cease my surveillance of that doctor until I felt it was sufficient. And earlier, I reported his crimes to the police. They acted promptly, arresting his father caught red-handed selling stolen cars. And the additional charge against him was human trafficking. The evidence is being processed, isn’t it, Ramon?” Hendrick got straight to the point. The man named Ramon nodded.
“We also kept watch on the abortion clinic Hendrick informed us about. After several days of surveillance, the woman named Phoebe indeed didn’t show up. But the clinic was still operating under the orders of one of its associates. And we also caught them red-handed when the victim and the perpetrator were conducting a transaction. Meanwhile, the woman named Phoebe vanished.” Roni added.
“And she was just found this afternoon,” Hendrick spoke again. “The car that hit Mrs. Hampton turned out to be one of the stolen cars. And you can surely connect the dots?” Gladwin nodded.
“The woman was apprehended and secured before the mob attacked her. She’s now in custody and seems to have been under the influence of illegal drugs when committing her crimes. The police are still investigating the motive behind the drug use. It’s also being investigated whether she was a user herself or if she used it as a way to embolden herself to carry out her brutal actions.
“But she’ll soon be charged with attempted murder. Considering her motive and the evidence that she’s been surveilling your family all along.”
“Damn!” Abigail’s loud curse made the men turn towards her. “She’s not just a devil, but a demon!” Abigail no longer cared about her image. Let people think she’s a barbaric woman.
“What will you pursue after this, Sir?” Hendrick looked back at Gladwin.
“I’ll hire a lawyer,” said Gladwin, met with nods from Hendrick and Ramon. “I’ll make sure she gets a heavy punishment. Considering her actions nearly caused me to lose my wife and child for the second time. And yes, let’s not forget the other victim who’s currently suffering from broken bones because of her actions,” Gladwin replied coldly.
“Of course. We’ll take the best action we can,” Roni affirmed.
After the departure of the two men, escorted back by Jonas, Gladwin and Abigail sat down in the hallway chairs. They let the silence envelop them. Gladwin seemed to sigh heavily multiple times.
“Uncle, you need to see that woman,” Abigail finally spoke. She could sense her uncle’s momentary paralysis.
“For what?”
“Have you forgotten? Your relationship status is still husband and wife, albeit unofficially.”
“Ah…” Gladwin sighed.
His niece was right. Gladwin hadn’t decided to divorce her. Not because he wanted to salvage his marriage with that woman, but because he genuinely forgot about it. Furthermore, he never considered her his wife, so he forgot about their status.
“Tomorrow, I’ll go there,” he stated flatly, then rose from his seat. “How’s Josef?” he looked at Abigail. They should be thankful for his wife’s rescuer, shouldn’t they?
“He was still asleep earlier. He might be awake by now,” they walked together towards the opposite direction of Flavia’s hospital room. They knocked on the door of the VVIP room and entered after hearing a response from inside. They were quite surprised to find Antony and Claire already inside, engaged in conversation with the middle-aged man lying on the bed.
“You guys here?” Gladwin glanced at Claire and Antony alternately. “Who’s taking care of my wife?”
“Adaline and Altezza just arrived. No need to panic,” Claire reassured.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
They then conversed with Josef, who had apparently regained consciousness. Abigail mentioned to the middle-aged man that there was a woman claiming to be “his wife” who called earlier in the afternoon.
Gladwin, Abigail, Claire, and Antony repeatedly expressed their gratitude and apologized to Josef for the tragedy that indirectly befell him due to the accident. It was because of Phoebe’s vendetta against Gladwin and Flavia.
Josef also repeatedly stated that he was fine and that the misfortune that befell him was simply his destiny. According to him, a broken bone was preferable to losing his life.
As a form of apology, Gladwin promised to take Josef’s family to Kansas to ensure Josef’s care while he was being treated. He also pledged to take full responsibility for Josef’s losses. Not only would he compensate for his job, but all living expenses and the capital for a new business would be covered by Gladwin.
Josef initially refused, but seeing Antony’s expression and the veiled threat given by Flavia’s father, the middle-aged man’s courage faltered.
Meanwhile, Antony himself had vowed to provide the man with sufficient financial security so that he could ensure his wife and children’s livelihoods in their hometown.
After conversing for a considerable time, they all bid farewell and returned to Flavia’s room.
The next day, Gladwin and Antony’s personal lawyer went to the temporary detention facility where Phoebe was being held. The woman appeared completely disheveled. She relentlessly cursed Gladwin, blaming him for all her misfortunes. However, Gladwin didn’t comment. He remained silent, letting the lawyer handle everything.
“From now on, we have no relationship whatsoever. Our relationship is over, it ends here,” was the only statement Gladwin uttered. And that immediately made Phoebe scream hysterically, almost attacking Gladwin if it weren’t for the guards restraining her.
Gladwin kept his promise. He brought Josef’s family to Kansas. And during his recovery period, he had Josef stay in the rental house that Phoebe used to live in. It would be a waste if the house he had rented for a full year wasn’t utilized.
In addition to housing, Gladwin provided facilities that Josef and his family vehemently refused. However, Gladwin didn’t accept any refusal. According to him, what he provided was not enough compared to the lives of Josef’s wife and children saved by the middle-aged man’s presence.
On the other hand, Flavia, still in the process of recovery, refused to go home until their unnamed baby was allowed to leave the NICU. Three days after observation in the NICU, Flavia and Gladwin’s baby were finally allowed to go home with the condition that they would still be monitored.
Gladwin didn’t refuse when Antony asked him to stay temporarily in his residence. He knew that a woman who had just given birth needed to feel safe and psychologically comfortable, and being with family was the best thing for Flavia’s recovery.
Regarding Phoebe’s case, Abigail and Gladwin still frequently visited the police station to fulfill calls from the authorities, considering Abigail as a witness to the incident and Gladwin as the victim’s husband. So far, all their reports were well-received, and the evidence they possessed was more than sufficient.
On one occasion, they accidentally ran into Penelope. The woman lashed out at Abigail, accusing her as the instigator of all the suffering her family was currently experiencing. She even cursed Abigail with words that were unfit to be heard.
Gladwin tried to calm his niece down when he saw Abigail paling. They were clearly not the oppressors since they were the ones being oppressed. And the curses they received were highly inappropriate. Evil people should indeed face punishment, shouldn’t they?
Fortunately, Abigail didn’t stay shocked for too long. By the time they returned home to Antony’s place, the girl had regained her cheerfulness.
The birth of Flavia and Gladwin’s daughter was celebrated with a rather grand party. All family members, both from Flavia’s father’s side and from Gladwin’s family, gathered at the Quirino family’s estate.
As per Abigail’s request, she finally named Flavia and Gladwin’s daughter “Ayla.” The name Ayla means “Gift from God.” Given the struggles of her parents, the name was indeed fitting for their beautiful daughter.
Happy smiles adorned the faces of Flavia and Gladwin. All their struggles had now paid off. Although they knew their journey was not over yet, they were grateful for what God had bestowed upon them thus far.
If Gladwin and Flavia were to express their gratitude, then it should be directed towards Abigail. From the beginning to this point, Abigail has always been there for them, helping them. She’s the girl who is so adept at keeping secrets. She’s the one who steadfastly helped fight for Flavia’s love.
Gladwin hopes that God will grant her happiness. That He will give her the best match. That He will introduce her to a man who will love and cherish her wholeheartedly.
Gladwin prays that all the sadness he and Flavia have experienced will never be experienced by Abigail.
Life is indeed full of trials. Because every trial will elevate a person’s status if they can face it with effort and reliance on God. Nevertheless, Gladwin wants Abigail to get the best. Far from disappointment. And may God grant it. Amen.
Dear Diary,
A myriad of gratitude cannot adequately express what I feel right now.
My happiness feels so complete.
I have regained love.
Love from my mother-in-law that was momentarily lost.
Something I thought I would never have, I can now obtain.
So a thousand words of gratitude are not enough to express the fullness of the happiness that now fills my heart.
Dear Diary,
Allow us to live our future years with happiness.
I know our journey is still long.
He and I have other responsibilities that we will be accountable for in His presence.
But I hope we can get through it all without any more drama. Without any more suffering.
Dear Diary,
If I may ask,
Now I ask for happiness for him. My dearest friend who loves me so much.
I hope God hears my prayer and gives him all the love he needs.
Give him someone who can make him happy like You gave me a lover whom I love so much and who loves me.
And I hope, in the future, he will have his own “Ayla.” Like You gave me mine.
Dear Diary,
Thank you for accompanying me this far.
Thank you for being willing to accept all my complaints.
And thank you for accompanying the lonely years of my life.
(You can read Abigail’s story in the book titled “Wedding Agreement”)