Chapter 302

Afterward, Abigail lay curled up in my arms, soft and delicate like a kitten. Her eyes were filled with an unfamiliar tenderness as they locked onto mine. She whispered, "Samuel, stay with me. Don't get distracted." I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. But deep down, something felt off. Even as her attitude toward me softened with each passing day, it all felt too staged—like a performance carefully designed for me to see. I didn't dare hope for more. All I wanted was for the coming days to pass peacefully, free of the chaos and drama that had consumed so much of my life. I tried to steady myself, brushing aside my doubts and sadness. I decided that I'd let whatever happened drift away like leaves in the wind. … The next morning, I woke to an empty house. Abigail was already gone. But what surprised me was the breakfast waiting for me on the dining table. Jane greeted me with a cheerful smile, "Mrs. Gebb got up at 5:30 am to prepare all that for you. She spent over