Gifts
Chapter 49 A Good Dog
They’d been friends for years they could see right through
him.
Although Anthony always acted like he couldn’t care less about Abigail, the truth was, she was his soft spot.
Any little jab at her, and it was like someone was poking his heart.
But of course, he stubbornly refused to admit it, maintaining that tough facade.
As the conversation came to an awkward halt, Morgan and Jason wisely kept quiet.
Ryan, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in his phone, not giving Anthony the time of day.
It wasn’t as bad when someone was talking, but with everyone silent now, Anthony felt the pressure building in his chest. It was suffocating.
Meanwhile, across the room, Michelle raised her glass amidst a flurry of admiration.
She took a long sip, basking in the praise from those around her.
“This dress, it’s the latest design of the year, right? I heard
there’s only one like it in the world, an exclusive from the designer!”
“Anthony certainly spoils you. You two are the perfect couple, a match made in heaven.”
Michelle shook her head modestly, a smile playing on her lips. “Thank you all for coming to my birthday party.”
Hannah, walking just behind Michelle, watched her bask in the attention with a smile of her own.
After the toast, the two of them linked arms and wandered off to
the side.
“Michelle, I heard from Jason that Abigail really went ahead with the divorce? How are things between you and Anthony? Any progress?”
Michelle glanced around, making sure no one was watching, before subtly adjusting her dress. She pulled it down a little, revealing the hickey on her chest.
Hannah’s eyes went wide in shock, and she immediately covered her mouth. Michelle quickly fixed her dress, giving Hannah a sly
smile.
“Does this count as progress?” Michelle asked, her voice low but confident.
“Wow… That’s explosive! You two are definitely heading for the finish line! Once Abigail’s out of the picture, the title of Mrs.
Chapter 49 A Good Dog Robinson is all yours!”
Michelle let out a cold laugh. “That title was always mine. If I hadn’t left back then, there’s no way she’d have had a chance. I’m just taking back what’s rightfully mine.”
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Hannah grinned, squeezing Michelle’s hand. “You’re absolutely right, Michelle. Anthony and Abigail’s marriage was just a business arrangement. It’s nothing like the bond you two have, growing up together. And let’s not forget, his mother always adored you.”
Michelle smiled but said nothing, her gaze shifting over to Anthony. Her eyes gleamed with the certainty of someone who knew exactly what was coming next.
“I’m going to touch up my makeup in the restroom. Want to join me?” Hannah said, her makeup already starting to smudge with her grin.
Michelle nodded, and the two of them made their way out of the venue, heading for the bathroom.
On the other side, Abigail and Felix entered the venue. The party was being held on the eighth floor.
Although Felix was a lawyer, he’d handled many high–profile corporate cases, so he knew plenty of influential businesspeople.
As soon as they arrived, he was swept into conversation with several prominent figures, leaving Abigail to follow quietly behind him.
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Chapter 49 A Good Dog
It had been a while since she’d been in such an environment, and she was finding it a little overwhelming.
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“I’ll be right back, I’m just going to the restroom,” she muttered.
Noticing her discomfort, Felix nodded, signaling he’d be fine. without her for a moment.
Abigail made her way out of the crowd, feeling the need to escape for a bit. The building was oddly structured: the entire eighth floor was dedicated to event spaces, but the restrooms, shared between the sixth and eighth floors, were located on the
seventh floor.
She took a deep breath as she descended the staircase, turning
the corner toward the restroom.
And then, out of nowhere, she collided head–on with Michelle
and Hannah, who were walking out of the bathroom.
“Oh, sorry!” Abigail automatically apologized.
Michelle and Hannah both glanced down, adjusting their dresses, their eyes narrowing.
“Watch where you’re going,” Hannah snapped.
Both women lifted their gazes, and the instant they saw each other, they froze for a moment.
“Abigail? What are you doing here?” Hannah was the first to
Chapter 49 A Good Dog
react, her surprise evident.
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Abigail quickly assessed their attire and did the math – it was obvious. Today was Michelle’s birthday.
In the past. Anthony had always gone all out for Michelle’s birthday, pulling out all the stops: fireworks displays, private concerts with her favorite singers, even renting out theaters just for her. He’d always been so thoughtful.
Now, seeing Michelle and Hannah together here, Abigail could already guess. Anthony must have thrown her another birthday bash.
It was a small world after all.
Not wanting to get tangled up with them, Abigail tried to sidestep the two women and head toward the bathroom, but Hannah stepped in her way.
“You’re dressed like this, Abigail. Are you here to celebrate Michelle’s birthday?” Hannah said with a smug grin.
Michelle gave a victorious smile, and Abigail, stone–faced, locked eyes with her.
She was really Michelle’s loyal sidekick, wasn’t she?
“Celebrate her birthday? I’m not that bored. A good dog has good manners. Move.” Abigail pushed past Hannah, entering the bathroom.
Chapter 49 A Good Dog
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Once inside, she washed her hands and then started touching up her makeup in front of the mirror.
But the two of them were like persistent little pests. No matter what, they seemed to follow her everywhere.
Michelle stood beside Abigail, pretending to fix her makeup, while Hannah stood by the door, blocking anyone who might enter and ruin the scene.
“Abigail.” Michelle started, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “I really should thank you. If you hadn’t voluntarily given up on Anthony, things between us wouldn’t have progressed so smoothly.”
As she spoke, Michelle deliberately tugged at her dress, exposing a hickey on her pale skin.
The mark was clear and obvious, and even though Abigail only caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye, she saw it all.
For a split second, Abigail’s hand trembled as she held the powder puff, but it passed quickly.
She didn’t want to let Michelle see that she was rattled.
Women could always sense each other’s emotional shifts.
Michelle’s smug smile deepened, watching Abigail’s reaction.
“Today is my birthday, you know. Anthony insisted on throwing me this birthday party, even canceled all his work for it.”
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Abigail finished applying her lipstick, slipping it into her pocket, and adjusted her hair before meeting Michelle’s gaze. “I’m not interested in whatever you two have going on.”
Clearly, Michelle wasn’t done bragging and didn’t plan on letting Abigail off that casily.
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Michelle turned her head toward Abigail. “You know, right now, I actually feel kind of sorry for you. You’re nothing but Anthony’s second choice. Even though you had his child, you never really got his heart.”
If she had heard these words before, Abigail would have felt a sharp pang of pain, maybe even cried.
But not now. Now, she didn’t care anymore. After all the disappointment, she had come to understand something.
There’s an old saying: when something no longer matters to you, it no longer has the power to hurt you.
Abigail met Michelle’s gaze, her expression calm and composed.
Michelle didn’t back down either.
“I didn’t steal anything from you,” Michelle continued with a sneer. “Anthony has always been mine, from the very beginning. I’m just taking back what was rightfully mine. You, Abigail, are doomed to lose to me. In a relationship, the one who’s not loved is the real third party.”
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For the first time, Abigail realized how shameless Michelle could be.
She was the real third party, yet she spoke as if she were the virtuous one, hiding behind excuses about love and being the ‘rightful‘ one. It was just a thinly veiled justification for her own betrayal.
