Chapter 2
How could I suddenly end up sharing a home with Gavin?
The party was still going strong.
The guests were chatting and laughing, as if the earlier incident had never happened.
I pinched my thigh hard, feeling the sting right away.
This wasn't a dream!
I instinctively grabbed my phone and dialed my parents first.
No one picked up.
I tried calling my sister, but still got nothing.
A wave of unrest surged through my heart, bringing on sudden, groundless anxiety.
I had to get back, now.
I avoided the crowd and hurried toward the Loomer family's front gate.
My steps quickened until I was practically running.
Suddenly, someone called out from behind, "Mrs. Schmitt, where are you going?"
Everyone turned to look at me all at once, and their stares felt like needles on my back.
My heart clenched, and I hurried my steps even more.
100 yards, 50 yards, 20 yards...
Just a few more steps and I'd reach the gate.
Suddenly, a tall figure blocked her path.
"Abigail Millar, why are you running?" a man's voice cut through the air.
My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively looked up.
My eyes widened in shock. It was him.
That handsome face that used to make me shake with fear.
It was Gavin Schmitt.
The room instantly fell silent, everyone watching the drama unfold.
Gavin tilted his chin up, unbothered, his tone calm and indifferent.
"Sorry. My wife hasn't been out much lately," he said.
As he spoke, he reached out to take my hand.
"Who do you call your wife?" I said.
Without missing a beat, I spun around and dashed toward the door.
But Gavin grabbed my wrist, holding me tight.
Under everyone's shocked stares, he leaned in close to my ear.
He said coldly, "Abigail, are you done making a scene?"
My whole body went stiff.
Five years ago, to shake him off, I'd picked a random guy on the street to pretend to be my boyfriend.
But Gavin saw right through my act and had someone break that guy's legs.
He'd pinned me against the wall in the same way, leaning in close to my ear, his voice cold as ice.
"Abigail, are you lying to me?"
The terror of being at his mercy flooded back all at once.
I didn't even think. I kicked him right where it hurt most.
"Back off! I'm not your wife!" I yelled.
I didn't wait for his reaction. I turned and ran.
Gasps and shocked cries broke out behind me.
I didn't look back. I dashed out of the villa complex, sprinted to the main road, flagged down a taxi, and dove inside.
As the door slammed shut, I caught a glimpse of Gavin coming after me.
Gavin stood by the road, his suit a little rumpled, staring after the taxi as it sped off.
A chill ran down my spine, my voice shaking as I pleaded, "Sir, just go…"
When I reached the front door of my parents' house, I rushed inside, barely slowing down.
The house was empty, but the lights were still on.
"Dad, Mom, I'm home," I called out, my voice echoing anxiously through the empty house.
"Where are you?" I yelled, panic creeping into my tone.
"Dad! Mom!"
After shouting for my parents three times, I finally heard my mom's voice.
"Abigail? You're home?" my mom called out.
Right after that, my father and mother hurried down from the second floor
My father asked, "Abigail, what happened?"
"Why do you look so freaked out?" my mother chimed in, her voice full of concern.
My father had put on some weight over the past five years, and my mother looked a bit fairer.
I stared at them, feeling their real concern for me.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. My eyes welled up with tears.
I asked, "Dad, Mom, where did you guys go just now?
"I tried calling, but nobody answered, and when I got back, I couldn't find you anywhere."
I threw myself into my mom's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Do you have any idea what happened? I just got back from abroad, went to Alice's birthday party, and everyone was saying I'm married to Gavin, and..."
"I even ran into Gavin, and he claimed I was his wife.
"How could I possibly be married to him? I've spent years trying to stay away from him! Dad, Mom..."
"Abigail, you..." my mother started.
She cut me off, frowning, and reached out to touch my forehead as I looked up.
My mother said, "Are you running a fever or something?
"If Gavin isn't your husband, who else would he be married to?"
My father chimed in, "Yeah, Abigail, you and Gavin have been married for five years now, and Andrew, your son, is already four.
"You just fought with Gavin and took off for a month abroad. Now you're back and talking crazy."
Bang!
It was like a bolt of lightning had hit me, and my mind went blank.
I was rooted to the spot, unable to move.
I saw my parents' mouths moving, but it was like their voices didn't even reach me.
Why?
Why were my parents saying the same thing?
But I had no contact with Gavin in the past five years.
"Alright, now that you're home, go check on Andrew," Mom said.