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Chapter 3 - HER DECISION

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"I said… I'll go. I will marry him."

Abigail's voice was calm, but the tremor beneath betrayed the storm in her chest.

"You—marry who?" Elsa whispered, her hands trembling as she tried to ease the heaviness in the room.

"Mother, please… stop." Abigail's tone was soft but steady. "I already know what's happening."

Elsa's eyes widened in horror. "You… you heard us?" she stuttered.

Abigail nodded and stepped forward, her bare feet brushing the cold tiles. "I heard everything last night. I couldn't sleep. And now again this morning."

Wilford's throat tightened. He pushed himself up from the stool, his knees shaking as though he had aged ten years overnight. "Abi… this isn't your burden. You're too young to—"

"I'm not a child anymore, Father." Her words cut through him—calm, yet laced with quiet fire. "I know the truth now, and I can't un-hear it. If this is the only way to save us… then I'll go."

Wilford bowed his head, shame etched into his features. "Abi… I'm so sorry. You were never meant to hear this. It's our fault. Please… allow me to take care of it—"

"Why did you keep it from me?" she interrupted, her voice breaking. Tears slid down her cheeks. "We're family! We're supposed to share our burdens, carry them together. Why didn't you trust me?"

"No!" Elsa cried out, rushing to her daughter. She wrapped her arms around her tightly, both of them trembling. "We didn't mean to hide it, darling. We thought we could fix it on our own. This has nothing to do with you—this is our fault. We tried… we truly tried to pay it back, but—" her voice broke, "life has been cruel to us. That's why we failed. But you don't have to destroy your future because of this. Please, my child… don't."

Abigail took her mother's hands, her gaze tender but unyielding.

"Mom, I understand. But look around you—this house, this life. You've carried this pain for too long. Now it's my turn. I've already made my choice. I will marry him. That's my decision."

"My daughter…" Wilford's voice was barely a whisper. "This is my fault. I can't let my only child become a scapegoat for my mistakes. I should be the one to bear this, not you."

"I know, Dad," she said gently. "But I'm not a child anymore. And we have no other choice. So… I'll go."

"No!" Elsa's voice cracked, raw with desperation. "You don't have to agree to this because of us. We'll find another way."

Abigail shook her head slowly. "What other way, Mother? You've already tried everything. I can't just sit here and watch you suffer. If this man demands that I prove myself to his son, then I'll try. At least… it's a chance."

Wilford's tears spilled freely as he staggered forward. "But child, you don't know the kind of man he is. Cold. Ruthless. They say he has no heart. If he rejects you…" His voice faltered. "If he rejects you, we may never see you again."

Abigail drew a sharp breath. Fear flickered in her eyes—but she lifted her chin, forcing steel into her voice. "Then I'll make sure he doesn't reject me."

Silence swallowed the room, heavy and suffocating. Even the rooster outside had gone quiet, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

"My child…" Elsa whispered, pressing her forehead to Abigail's. Her voice trembled with both sorrow and love. "If this is the path you've chosen, who am I to stop you? One day you will leave us for your own family… May God give you strength, and may you make us proud."

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✨📖 Author's Note

Hey lovely readers! 💕

Thanks for checking out this book—I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Don't forget to drop your thoughts, guesses, or favorite parts in the comments. Your feedback keeps me inspired and motivated to write more for you. 🥰

See y'all in the next chapter!

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