Chapter 19 A Gift from God
Arabella's father died in an accident when she was very young.
The family's financial pillar collapsed, leaving only the old, weak, and infirm. Her mother was still young and didn't want to be dragged down by this family, so she left under the pretense of finding work and never returned.
Her grandfather, Robert Wentworth, had a disabled leg and couldn't move around easily, so he could only take on odd jobs from home. Her grandmother, Sarah Wentworth, had to take care of the household and could only work various part-time jobs here and there, earning small amounts to supplement the family income.
Although they received welfare benefits, most of that money went toward buying medicine year-round, leaving very little.
Despite how difficult life was, Robert and Sarah did everything they could to provide for her.
When she was a teenager, she once considered dropping out to work. Robert got very angry and scolded her, saying that for children from poor families, education was the only way out; otherwise, she'd end up living in poverty like them for the rest of her life.
She had a wake-up call. To avoid disappointing Robert and Sarah, she studied diligently and worked hard, always maintaining top grades.
But it was precisely because she got into the best high school in the city that she started boarding school life, only coming home once a month, which meant she didn't get to see Sarah one last time.
After Sarah passed away, Robert became despondent. Loneliness and destitution quickly wore down this man of steel, and he was later diagnosed with a terminal illness.
She still remembered those days accompanying Robert in the hospital, waking up many times each night to feel his hand and check his breathing.
He was her last remaining family member in this world.
Fortunately, Robert's old war buddy William found them. When the two old men recognized each other, they embraced and wept, reminiscing about the hardships of decades past.
During that time, Robert's spirits improved considerably.
William did everything he could—getting Robert the best hospital room, the best doctors, and giving him support. But even the strongest will couldn't overcome death's power, and Robert still passed away.
But he died content and peaceful.
Because Arabella, whom he worried about most, had found someone to entrust her to.
Robert died during her senior year of high school, a crucial time.
William knew she had excellent grades and originally wanted to use his connections to transfer her to a better high school to give her a better learning environment. But she couldn't bear to leave that place—it was the closest she could be to Robert and Sarah. If she left, Robert and Sarah would be lonely.
Fortunately, heaven rewards the diligent. She finally fulfilled Robert's wish and got accepted to a good university.
William had always cared for her, treating her completely like his own granddaughter. During college, if she hadn't mentioned being an orphan, many people would have thought she was a wealthy socialite.
Because she was well-provided for in every aspect.
But just when she graduated from college and was preparing to properly repay William, she received devastating news.
Arabella didn't understand why her life was always full of regrets, why everyone good to her couldn't have a good ending.
Reminiscing about the past, tears had somehow filled her cheeks. Her heart ached to numbness, as if she was about to be abandoned by the world again.
"Arabella... why are you crying? Did that boy Gabriel bully you again?" William quietly awakened, seeing Arabella sitting beside the bed in tears, and asked weakly.
"Grandpa, you're awake!" Arabella was startled and quickly sat up, hurriedly wiping away her tears. "I... no, Gabriel didn't bully me. I was... seeing you in such... pain, I thought of my grandfather and felt scared."
William smiled slightly. "What's to fear? Everyone dies eventually, there's no escaping it... I've already had it much, much better than most people."
Arabella continued wiping her tears without speaking. He began reminiscing in a rambling way, "Back then... in that battle, those of us who came back alive... you could count us on one hand... If it weren't for Robert, he blew up his leg trying to save me... pulled me out of a pile of corpses. I... would have died long ago. I've been very lucky, coming back alive and enjoying so many years. I'm content."
"Grandpa, you'll definitely get through this," she said, calming down and beginning to comfort William.
He waved his hand, indicating he was at peace with it. "Being able to live these extra two years, to see yours and Gabriel's children born—I'm already satisfied."
Thinking of Isabella and Henry, his face broke into a smile. "I have you to thank for this. Without you, I wouldn't have had this happiness."
"I should be thanking you—for helping my grandfather back then, for taking care of me all these years."
"You should really thank your grandfather. He saved me, and I just gave you a little help—it wasn't my achievement. But sadly... I still let you down. I thought that after you and Gabriel married, you'd grow to love each other over time, that he'd eventually discover how wonderful you are... Who knew he'd be so stubborn, still pining for Emily after all this time... Arabella, I'm very sorry."
"It's not..." Arabella shook her head, tears beginning to fall unstoppably again. "This isn't your fault. Besides, being with Gabriel and having lovely Isabella and Henry—I don't regret it... really, for Isabella and Henry's sake, everything was worth it."
These weren't just words to comfort William.
Once a woman becomes a mother, that innate maternal love encoded in her genes is completely awakened. Just seeing adorable, soft children can heal all pain and unhappiness.
Being able to have such lovely Isabella and Henry was the most precious gift God had given her.
She was quite grateful to Gabriel for that.
William's life was nearing its end, and he suddenly saw many things clearly.
He knew Arabella wasn't happy with Gabriel, and he knew that with Gabriel's personality, he might make do for the children's sake but would never love or cherish her.
Thinking about how young Arabella was, how she'd married and had children right after college graduation without ever properly enjoying life, only to be trapped in an unhappy marriage—he felt very guilty.
"Arabella... don't worry, I'll talk to Gabriel. Whatever you choose, I'll support you. I can't let you be unhappy and make your grandfather regret saving me back then."
William's heartfelt words moved Arabella deeply, leaving her sobbing.
Her life was unfortunate, but at the same time, she was lucky.
If William was willing to intervene, the divorce matter would be much simpler.
"Alright, thank you, Grandpa... You've talked so much today, you must be tired. Please rest quickly." Worried about William's health, she quickly wiped her tears and pulled up the blanket, urging him to stop talking.
William was indeed exhausted. He closed his eyes and quickly fell back into slumber.
She sat dazedly beside the hospital bed, watching him, with no immediate intention of leaving.
Her phone rang. She came back to herself slightly and looked down in some surprise.
It was actually Gabriel calling from his business trip.
What could he want?
The question flashed through her mind. She hesitated for two seconds, then stood up and walked out of the hospital room, answering in a low voice, "Hello..."
She had just been crying. Although she'd tried her best to compose herself, her voice was still somewhat hoarse.
Gabriel immediately detected it, his tone becoming slightly heavy, "What's wrong? Have you been crying?"
"No..." She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice clearer. "Did you call about something?"
After their fight yesterday, he'd stormed off and they hadn't contacted each other since. He hadn't come home last night either, and today she'd learned he'd left directly on a business trip that morning.
He was probably deliberately avoiding her.
But now he was actively calling—what did he want?