Diary of Fragile Heart (Spin of Loving You Too Long)

Abigail had told this to Gladwin’s twin siblings, Claire Hampton. After hearing her story, their aunt could only shed tears. Even hearing Jonas’ story about her uncle during work inevitably made them sad. Her uncle didn’t become a workaholic like men typically do when stressed. Or suddenly become a drunkard to lose his senses. Even in certain situations, Abigail feared her uncle would withdraw, daydream, and cry. But her uncle never did any of those things.

Instead, her uncle spent more time with his nieces and nephews. And every time she saw Gladwin at Claire’s house, Abigail heard her aunt apologize repeatedly, not to Gladwin but to her husband. Feeling guilty because the cause of all this pain-especially Flavia’s departure-was her mother, Julie Hampton. And what hurt was that Antony never responded to those apologies except with a sad expression, much like the one Gladwin displayed.

Consciously or not, Flavia was a precious figure whom they loved dearly. Especially for Antony, Claire, Gladwin, and Flavia’s own siblings.

“Uncle…” Abigail tried to start a conversation once again. “Dad wants us to have dinner at home,” she informed.

Abigail had just returned from the cafe and saw her uncle sitting in front of the television, watching blankly at the silly program being broadcasted on a private television station. Usually, Gladwin would laugh at the absurdity of it. But not this time. It seemed like the man was lost in his own thoughts and didn’t realize Abigail’s arrival.

“Uncle..?” Abigail called out to the man again and waited for his response.

“Yeah. We’ll go to your father’s house later,” he replied flatly, then changed the TV channel. At least, her uncle’s movement let Abigail know that he was a living being, not a mannequin deliberately placed in the living room.

By five in the evening, they were on their way to Abigail’s father’s house. As Abigail had guessed earlier, the dinner invitation was not just an ordinary one as they saw other guests there. Say her father’s message was just a means to lure them into the trap of the vixen.

Julie Hampton greeted Gladwin’s arrival with a cheerful smile on her face, seemingly unaware of the sadness felt by her son. She ushered Gladwin into the dining room as if he were an honored guest who had just arrived.

Abigail greeted her parents, hugging her mother. She also waved to the elderly woman who was her grandmother’s guest. Gladwin chose to sit at the other end of the empty dining table, and somehow Phoebe suddenly sat beside him while Penelope sat to Phoebe’s right. Abigail clearly didn’t want to be left out; she sat beside her uncle on his left side, while Julie Hampton sat on his right side, facing the guest who was the same age as her.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Was there anyone who asked about Gladwin’s legitimate wife’s whereabouts? The answer is no. What did Gladwin and Abigail expect? They certainly already knew that Flavia had been missing for a week, so they felt there was no need to ask where Flavia had gone or where the information about Flavia’s departure came from.

The dinner was dominated by silence. Even though the people around the dining table tried to start conversations, Gladwin only responded briefly and then fell silent again. He showed no interest whatsoever in asking anyone anything.

After dinner, they moved to the living room where Julie’s house assistant had prepared snacks and hot drinks for them.

“Where’s Flavia?” The casual question was suddenly posed by Mrs. Gincu. Abigail initially looked at her with a raised eyebrow before smiling slightly at her and playing along with the middle-aged woman’s game. Whether she genuinely didn’t know or pretended not to know about Flavia’s departure, Abigail had to commend her for her flawless acting.

“Flavia?” Abigail replied with her usual nonchalant demeanor. “Why are you asking about Flavia? Do you need something from her?” she asked flatly.

“No, I was just asking,” she replied nervously.

“Flavia is missing. I hope that answer satisfies you,” Gladwin responded with a flat expression and tone as he put a snack in his mouth. Abigail’s parents stared at Gladwin with shocked expressions, unlike the three other women who remained composed.

“What do you mean she’s missing?” Abigail’s mother asked with a furrowed brow. “I thought she didn’t come because she had some business.” Or more accurately, avoiding her mother-in-law. The statement was too harsh for Abigail’s gentle mother to express.

“Missing,” Gladwin reiterated. “Gone.” Gladwin replied still with his flat tone. “Disappeared, ran away. Whatever you want to call it, you can look it up in the dictionary.”

“But why?” Abigail’s mother asked again.

“Why don’t you ask your mother-in-law?” Gladwin handed an envelope to Abigail’s mother. She took it, opened the envelope which contained a crumpled piece of paper, and read it. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened. She looked at her husband and handed him the paper.

“What does this mean, Gladwin?” Abigail’s father asked with a furrowed brow.

“Just ask our mother, maybe she knows the answer,” Gladwin remained nonchalant even though his heart was pounding, suppressing the emotions he was trying to hold back.

“There has never been a history of divorce in our family, so why is Flavia filing for divorce from Gladwin now, Mom?” The question had a cold tone to it. Abigail herself shuddered at it. Her father, much like Gladwin, rarely showed his anger. But when his emotions exploded, the man could be terrifying. And usually, Abigail avoided situations like that. But not this time.

Julie Hampton’s face paled instantly. The elderly woman even hesitated to look at her eldest son when she answered. “I never asked Flavia to divorce Gladwin. I actually gave her another option,” she replied with a trembling voice. Yes, after Abigail’s late grandfather, the person Julie Hampton feared was Abigail’s father. Perhaps it was because of his firm charisma or because he had been the backbone of the family all this time. Abigail didn’t know.

“Not asking for a divorce, but asking her to accept another woman?” Rafka stared at his mother sharply. “What kind of choice is that? Mom, it’s like you’re offering a death sentence or being shot at the same time.” Abigail’s father’s words made Mrs. Julie’s face even paler. Abigail’s father had never interfered with his siblings’ personal affairs. As a man, he believed his siblings could take care of themselves and make the right decisions.