Chapter 533 - Family Trouble (9)

31 May, Military Base, City K

Finally, after spending time arguing with Monica, Paul was able to lead Abigail away, before gathering her into his arms and asked, "Are you alright?"

Leaning her head on his chest Abigail turned it slightly before saying "I just feel so frustrated. Monica wants to hover and protect me like I am the little child she left behind when she married. I am not a child anymore."

Gently kissing Abigail's head Paul said "No you are my wife, and I am your husband. I just feel guilty about the other day."

"Paul, as I have repeatedly said you do not need to feel guilty. My mother is to blame, and we both know she knew the consequences of her actions having been served with the restraining order. It was her choice to do what she did, and now she has to face the consequences of her choice."

"She could have hurt you?"

"She would not be that stupid. Her problem is she has little access to money, as she and her parents were too smart for their own good when she and father married, as the pre-nuptial agreement they insisted on clearly stated what they each kept on a separation. Everything mother kept has little value, but as they never considered that Dad would be a successful businessman, he kept the company and the one property he owned before marriage. That is where the value is, and that is what she wants. Hurting me, ensures that she can never get a thing, but doing what she did is all about trying to pressure me to have dad give her what she wants."

"What does that have to do with it?"

"Monica still sees me as the person I was, before I realised that you love me, and I am safe and secure. With you behind me, I can deal with anything. Unlike the past, where I would have given into her antics to have peace, now I will not because she does not deserve me being nice to her, given what she did to me. I will not pressure Dad to give her anything she wants, and I will stand by you and Uncle Gu in refusing to give her money to leave us alone."

Abigail reached up pulled Paul's head down so his forehead was touching hers before giving him a gentle kiss and saying "Just know that I love you. That is the only truth that matters. My mother can try and dispute that truth, but you know I do not care."

Abigail pulled back and continued "We should go over and join everyone."

As she turned to move Paul grabbed Abigail's hand before saying "You knew about Matthew?"

"A guess only. Monica's comments over the years, on the few occasions we spoke had me guess that Joseph was in special forces. And hearing that your friend was his boss the obvious thing was he had to be special forces. But how could I say anything when I was only guessing. If I was wrong…?"

"You would feel stupid." Paul squeezed her hand before adding "There is no need to, but…"

"Keep no secrets. I know, but there is a difference between a guess based on partial information and keeping something a secret. I promised you, that I would not keep secrets from you as you did to me. That I intend to keep."

Abigail looked over towards Lexi, Matthew and the others, observing what appeared to be a heated discussion, and added "Something seems to be going on over there. Do you want to go and find out?"

Paul turned, and observed his friends. Just a couple of months ago the idea of any man, other than himself standing as close to Sally as Andrew was, let alone touching her would have had him wanting to kill that person. But, having Abigail with him, despite their age difference made him realise that what he thought was love was a pale imitation of the truth. The moment he had seen Abigail's so called friends using drugs in their home, not only had him wanting to kill them but to protect her from all harm. In that moment he did not care about what happened to him, as long as Abigail was protected, even if he had to take the consequences.

Abigail paused and noticed Paul looking at his friends before following his gaze. As soon as she noticed him looking at Sally, she tensed. How could she compete with the past.

Feeling his wife tense, Paul stopped and turned and saw the look on her face. His moment of pause in realising how lucky he was to have tumbled into marrying her, was causing her harm. He stopped and said "Abigail, stop worrying. I was just appreciating how lucky I was to have you. If I had pursued Sally, and not given into our fathers' scheming I would not have you. That would have been a mistake."

Angrily Abigail responded "Yeah, right!"

With his free hand, Paul reached and turned Abigail's head to look at him and said "Abigail, truthfully, looking at Sally and Andrew had me know how lucky I am. I would sacrifice my freedom to make sure you are safe, happy, and protected. Even at the height of my madness of thinking I loved Sally, I was never thought that."

Abigail closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. Watching Paul even briefly look at Sally was like a dagger was hitting her heart. There was the woman who for years had captured his desire, closer to his age and had the same friendship group that he had. How could she ever compete with that. She so wanted to tell him ignore everyone, but was that right?

Opening her eyes Abigail looked at Paul, who in a couple of seconds saw the conflict going through her eyes. He said "Abigail our relationship is secure…"

"Secure, when you look at a woman you have l.u.s.ted over for years, how do you expect me to feel?"

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