Chapter 76: Marrying Selena
Archie’s mansion
Abigail sat quietly on the soft couch while Miranda sat beside her. The moment Madeline called her earlier to inform her that Archie would soon be getting married to Selena, she was shocked. Even until now, she still couldn’t understand how things ended up that way.
She didn’t dislike Archie. In fact, she was very grateful for everything he had done for her. That was why she decided to come immediately after hearing the news.
Miranda secretly glanced at Abigail before looking around the mansion. Somehow, she felt relieved seeing that Abigail wasn’t angry or heartbroken. Instead, she looked more worried than anything else.
Not long after, Archie came downstairs wearing simple casual clothes. Compared to before, he looked much calmer and more mature. The obsession that used to fill his eyes whenever he looked at Abigail was gone.
He smiled faintly when he saw them.
"You came," he said softly before sitting opposite them.
Abigail frowned slightly before asking worriedly, "Madeline told me you’re getting married to Selena. Is that true?"
Archie chuckled helplessly. Somehow, he already knew she would rush over after hearing that.
"It is."
The smile on Abigail’s face disappeared immediately. "Why?" she asked in confusion. Selena of all people?
Miranda was equally curious. She couldn’t understand how Archie suddenly decided to marry Selena after everything that happened between them.
Archie leaned against the couch before letting out a helpless sigh. "There are many reasons," he answered honestly.
He remained silent for several seconds before looking at Abigail quietly.
"Actually, I wanted to apologize to you."
Abigail blinked in confusion. "Apologize? For what?"
Archie smiled bitterly before shaking his head. "For many things."
He sighed softly before continuing, "I’ve finally accepted something."
"What is that?" Abigail asked.
Archie laughed softly. "That I can never have you."
The room suddenly became quiet. Miranda glanced between the two of them before slowly leaning back against the couch. Somehow, she suddenly wanted to clap for him.
Abigail was stunned for a moment before smiling softly.
Archie continued, "At first, I thought if I tried harder, one day you would like me back. Later, I realized something."
He looked at her seriously. "You’ve never looked at me the way I looked at you."
Abigail lowered her eyes silently.
"And that’s alright," he continued with a smile. "I’ve already given up on you."
For some reason, Abigail suddenly felt relieved after hearing those words. She had always been afraid of hurting him.
"I’m happy you’ve finally moved on," she said sincerely.
Archie smiled helplessly. "I’m happy too."
After seeing Henry and understanding everything that happened between them, he finally understood that there was no place left for him between the two of them.
He wasn’t willing to admit it before, but now he had accepted it completely.
Thinking about Selena made Abigail sigh softly.
She wasn’t stupid. After hearing about Selena and Archie, she could already guess that something happened because of the drug that day.
"As long as you’re alright, that’s enough for me," Abigail smiled softly.
Archie nodded before laughing quietly. "Thank you."
The atmosphere became much lighter afterward as they talked happily about several things.
After almost an hour, Abigail and Miranda decided to leave.
Just as Abigail stood up, Archie’s voice suddenly stopped her. "Abigail."
She turned around in confusion. "What is it?"
Archie hesitated for several seconds before sighing softly. "There is something I think you should know."
Abigail frowned slightly before sitting back down.
"What happened?"
Archie remained silent for a few moments before speaking slowly. "Henry loves you very much."
The smile on Abigail’s face froze immediately.
Miranda blinked several times before looking at Archie in surprise.
Archie smiled helplessly at their reactions.
"I know he’s arrogant and annoying sometimes," he laughed softly. "But he really loves you."
Abigail suddenly felt her face becoming slightly warm.
She coughed awkwardly before asking, "Why are you suddenly saying this?"
"Because I think you’re misunderstanding many things about him."
Archie leaned against the couch before continuing.
"Do you know why he approached you under another identity?"
Abigail frowned slightly before shaking her head.
"No."
"It’s because of Madam Perry."
The two ladies were stunned immediately. "Madam Perry?" they asked at the same time.
Archie nodded.
"Most of the problems you’ve faced actually came from Madam Perry’s side."
Abigail was completely confused now.
"What does Madam Perry have to do with this?" she asked immediately.
Archie smiled bitterly before shaking his head.
"There are many things I don’t know myself. I only know that Madam Perry is very important to the Michaelson family."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Henry hid his identity because of her. In fact, if not because of Madam Perry, I don’t think he would have approached you the way he did."
Abigail became even more confused after hearing his explanation.
Everything somehow connected back to Madam Perry.
After thanking Archie once again, Abigail and Miranda finally left the mansion together.
Inside the car, neither of them spoke for several minutes.
Miranda finally turned to Abigail and asked, "Have you heard from Madam Perry recently?"
Abigail shook her head immediately before bringing out her phone.
"No."
She quickly dialed Madam Perry’s number once again, but after waiting for several seconds, she received the same response.
"The number you are trying to reach is not available at the moment."
Abigail sighed helplessly before ending the call.
"Still not reachable."
Miranda frowned slightly. "Do you think something happened?"
Abigail immediately thought about Madam Perry hiding from Henry’s father during the party.
"I hope not."
The atmosphere inside the car suddenly became heavy again.
Thinking about Henry’s father only gave them more headaches.
To ease the atmosphere, Abigail suddenly smiled mischievously before looking at Miranda.
"By the way."
"What?" Miranda asked absentmindedly.
"Oliver’s birthday is after the election."
Miranda paused for several seconds before her face slowly became red.
"What does that have to do with me?" she asked nervously.
Abigail raised a brow playfully. "Nothing. I’m just wondering what gift his future girlfriend is planning to prepare."
Miranda immediately covered her burning face. "Stop teasing me, please!"
Abigail burst into laughter immediately. "Oh? I wonder who confessed her feelings recently?"
Miranda almost buried her face inside her handbag in embarrassment. "Abigail!"
The laughter inside the car finally eased the heavy atmosphere between them.