The Millionaire Chef

24 | b e t r a y a l

Abigail lay on the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as she reflected on the events of the day. She couldn't help but wonder how her life had taken such a dramatic turn. The bustling streets of New York City, where she had spent her days, now felt like a distant memory. Tears welled up in her eyes once more, and she longed for Aaron's presence, yearning for answers.

She found herself nursing a heartache even though there hadn't been a heartbreak. Why did she feel so wounded? The realization that Aaron couldn't be a father weighed heavily on her. For a while, she had allowed herself to be deluded, imagining a future with him, a happy family with children. The mirage had finally shattered, and she could now grasp the magnitude of her heart condition and the crossroads she faced between her heart and her mind.

Abigail heard her phone ring once more. She glanced at the caller ID and, muffling her sobs, she picked up his call. "Hello."

"Abi-girl," Aaron said, taking a pause on the other end as if sensing her emotional state. "Are you not feeling well, baby?"

"I am fine," she replied, her voice steady as she lied. She didn't want to burden him with her emotional turmoil.

"Okay. Did you see the news?" Aaron asked, concern evident in his voice. He sensed something was bothering her but didn't want to press the issue. He just wanted to be there for her.

"I was shocked. When did you plan all of this?"

"It was abrupt, Abi," Aaron explained. "I didn't want to stay away from you, and I didn't want to fight without you. I've realized there's no point in all this fighting. My father needs me as much as my dreams do."

Abigail felt her throat tighten as she tried to hold back tears. "Aar, we need to talk."

"Talk?"

"Yes, about us."

Abigail sat in the living room, anxiously awaiting Aaron's arrival. She wanted to have a candid conversation with him, to discuss their relationship. The girl who had once despised him had transformed, now deeply in love. Her heart condition had worsened, and she didn't want to end up leading a loveless life, a life without anyone by her side. She was determined to confront him today and accept whatever answer he provided. If he didn't see a future with her as his life partner, she would move on. There was no point in dwelling on spilled milk.

Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was her father calling. She felt a glimmer of hope that she might finally get to speak to him. Picking up the call, she braced herself for what might come next.

"Come home," her father said. That's it no more words spoken. 

The line went dead....

She rushed to her family's house, her thoughts filled with anticipation about reuniting with her father. The two of them hadn't spoken since their last fight. And in the midst of these memories, she realized that her mother was still alive. Aaron had made her forget all her troubles, including the ongoing conflict with her father. Living with him, she had found happiness and solace, making her almost forget the issues that had once plagued her life.

Abigail entered the house to see her father and Evelyn in a haste fight, she rushed to them but what shattered her heart was her mother sitting in the living room with two girls - of which one she knew very well. 

Harriet!

Aaron's secretary was here, in her fathers house, sitting beside her mother. Abigail felt the room around spinning, what in the world is happening? Why was Harriet in her father's house and holding her mother's hand. 

Realization came crushing to her as she similarities between Harriet and her mother. Although Abigail is the only one who has inherited her mother's eyes but Harriet had similar cheekbones and face cut and how could she not see this earlier Harriet also had a similar a very slight resemblance to Evelyn.