At that moment, Abigail's voice trembled as she looked at Oliver, her face filled with disbelief and confusion. "What did I do?" she asked softly, her pride now completely shattered. "I didn't do anything that should result in all this... I swear, I didn't do anything."
She looked around the room her father still on the floor, her mother shaking silently beside him and a lump formed in her throat. "Even if I did something," she continued, her voice now cracking, "please, Sir, I didn't mean to. I didn't know. I've come to realize my mistake. I'm very, very sorry. I promise, I won't do it again. Please forgive me."
Oliver slowly turned his face toward her, his cold stare locking onto her trembling figure. "You're still standing," he said sharply.
Instantly, as though her legs gave out, Abigail dropped to her knees. Her hands pressed together, and she lowered her head in shame. "I'm sorry," she whimpered. "It didn't occur to me... please forgive me... please."
