Chapter 258: The Third Wheel

Finally, the day came for Abigail to be discharged from the hospital. Marentis was blessed with clear skies all day long, which was rare.

Nova arrived at the hospital early in the morning, bringing three outfits for Abigail to choose from. Abigail picked a beige knit sweater paired with dark pants—simple and clean overall.

Ethan was at the end of the hallway confirming security routes with Craig, keeping his voice low.

Dwayne stood by the window on a phone call. After hanging up, he walked over, looked at Abigail, and smiled.

"You've lost weight."

Abigail's hands paused while buttoning up. She looked up and met Dwayne's gaze.

She still wasn't used to this kind of attention. This wasn't scrutiny or assessment—it was a father looking at his daughter, with concern in his eyes.

"After you're discharged, make sure you eat well and don't overwork yourself," Dwayne said.

Abigail nodded.

Nova came over and took Abigail's hand, looking her over from head to toe while talking non-stop.

"You're too thin. I can wrap one hand around your wrist. When you get back, I'll have the kitchen make you soup. Just tell me whatever you want to eat, don't be shy."

"And about your clothes. You've been in hospital all this time wearing nothing but gowns, so you definitely don't have enough outfits in your wardrobe to rotate for everyday use. I saw the closet in your new place—more than half of it is empty. We need to fix that right away."

Abigail opened her mouth, wanting to say it wasn't necessary to go to such trouble.

Nova had already pulled up her phone's photo album, scrolling through several screenshots.

"I looked at several stores last night. There's this Kestria brand with a knitwear line that would be perfect for you, and another place that does custom coats with really soft fabric—you'd definitely find them comfortable."

Abigail looked at the shopping screenshots filling Nova's phone screen, momentarily at a loss for words.

In the past twenty-plus years, no one had ever specifically bought clothes for her.

As a child in the orphanage, she wore donated hand-me-downs. In college, she lived on scholarships, carefully budgeting every dollar.

After marrying into the Gonzalez family, Quinn never took the initiative to buy her a single piece of clothing, and she felt too embarrassed to ask.

Now suddenly someone was pulling her along saying "buy whatever you want," and she didn't know how to respond.

"Mom, you don't need to buy too much. I usually dress pretty simply."

"Even if you like simple, you need a few decent pieces." Nova's tone left no room for argument. "You're the Hubbard family's daughter—you can't look too casual when you go out."

Just as Abigail was about to decline again, Sophia's voice came from the doorway.

"Ms. Carter! Leave the clothes shopping to me! I'm a professional!"

Sophia stood in the doorway holding a bag of oranges, her eyes bright as lightbulbs.

Nova turned to look at her and smiled.

"Sophia, you're here. Perfect timing—help me take a look."

"No problem!" Sophia plopped down next to Abigail and pulled out her phone, scrolling through the mall's floor directory. "That boutique on the third floor of Crystal Bay Mall just got their fall-winter collection in, and there's a designer brand on the fifth floor with a very minimalist style—perfect for Abigail."

Nova was increasingly pleased. She made the decision on the spot.

"Alright, you two go this afternoon. I'll pay."

Abigail glanced at Nova.

"Mom, aren't you coming with us?"

Nova froze.

Abigail's voice was soft but serious.

"Will you come with me? I want your company."

Nova's eyes immediately welled up.

She opened her mouth, silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Okay."

But Abigail wasn't finished.

"However—" she looked at Nova's face, "you didn't sleep well again last night, did you? The dark circles under your eyes are showing through even with concealer."

Nova instinctively touched the area under her eyes.

Abigail stood up and pressed Nova back into her chair.

"You stay home and rest today. When I get back, I'll model everything I bought for you, piece by piece."

Nova was about to object when Abigail added, "Mom, if you don't rest, I'm not going either."

Nova was left speechless.

She looked at Abigail, tears nearly falling, then finally sniffed and smiled.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Watching this scene, Sophia felt both touched and a little teary.

Abigail had never been the type to just accept others' kindness. She was used to taking care of people—even just out of the hospital, her first instinct was still to worry about her mother.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Sophia waited in the Crystal Bay Mall's first-floor lobby, clutching her phone, feeling her heart beat a little faster.

Since Nova wasn't going, Ethan said he would come.

His exact words were, "Abigail just got out of the hospital—someone needs to be with her. I don't have any meetings this afternoon anyway."

Sophia checked her appearance three times in the reflection of the mall's glass doors. She confirmed her lipstick wasn't smudged, her hair wasn't messy, and her earrings were the new ones.

She took a deep breath.

Although the embarrassing incident of falling asleep in the conference room hadn't been forgotten yet, she felt today was different. Today was shopping—this was her comfort zone.

She was mentally rehearsing her opening line when the mall doors were pushed open.

Ethan walked in.

He wore a white shirt and dark jacket, walking quickly, his whole demeanor still in that "I just came from the boardroom" mode.

Sophia was about to greet him when her body suddenly froze.

There was someone following behind Ethan.

Craig.

About six-foot-three, wearing a black suit, hands behind his back, expression like a statue.

Sophia's smile froze on her face.

Abigail emerged from behind Ethan, saw Sophia's expression, lowered her head and coughed, saying nothing.

"Let's go." Ethan checked his watch. "I need to be back for a meeting by three-thirty. We need to move quickly."

Sophia followed behind them, her steps a bit heavy.

Her original mental picture had been this: she and Ethan flanking Abigail while shopping, finding opportunities to chat with him while Abigail tried on clothes, hoping for a relaxed, natural atmosphere, unlike the stiffness at the hospital.

The reality was this: she walked on the left, Abigail in the middle, Ethan on the right, Craig behind them, four people in a straight line, looking more like they were on patrol.

They entered the boutique on the third floor. Sophia helped Abigail pick out a few coats, and Abigail went into the fitting room.

This was her chance.

Sophia turned around, about to say something to Ethan.

Craig stood next to Ethan, the two of them discussing the afternoon's security arrangements in low voices.

She silently turned back and continued browsing the racks.

Abigail came out of the fitting room wearing a camel-colored coat, asking Sophia if it looked good.

Sophia said it looked good.

Ethan glanced up and nodded.

"This one works. The color suits Abigail."

Then he turned back to Craig, continuing their previous conversation.

Sophia felt like she was unnecessary today.

She helped Abigail try on seven pieces, finally selecting four. At checkout, Ethan handed over a black card, swiping it as naturally as swiping a subway card.

Sophia carried the shopping bags out of the store.

Abigail walked up beside her and asked quietly.

"You don't seem very happy today?"

Sophia shook her head.

"No, it's just..."

She glanced back.

Craig walked behind Ethan, the two of them side by side, their steps synchronized, coordinated like partners who'd worked together for years.

Sophia lowered her voice to a whisper.

"Abigail, does your brother take him everywhere he goes?"