Gwendolyn, Just Like Her
Alison felt down.
She didn't want to go home.
Yet in the vast city of S, she had nowhere else to go.
As she stood at the entrance of Maple Gold Crown Hotel, she was bewildered.
"Sir, would you like me to arrange for a lady to accompany you?" A concierge asked, standing nearby.
Alison's gaze fell on Aidan, not far away.
She hadn't seen him for several days.
During that time, he'd only called occasionally to ask about Tyler but had never shown any intention of taking him away.
"No, thank you," Aidan replied.
Another hostess muttered under her breath, "No chance of booking Gwendolyn now—her rates have skyrocketed. She's fully booked every night, and reservations are already scheduled through the middle of next month."
Aidan's footsteps suddenly halted.
He turned toward the hostess. "If I wanted to book her, I would have done so long ago. It's just that I don't want to. From now on, don't mention Gwendolyn's name in front of me."
The hostess trembled with fear. "Please forgive me, Mr. Winston. I was just joking. Given your distinguished status, it would be a blessing for anyone you chose to book."
The hostess's tone softened immediately, but Aidan's expression remained icy.
Ever since Tyler was born, Alison had noticed that he always gave off an aura of complete aloofness.
Alison had originally planned to leave, but seeing Aidan made her change her mind.
Since Jack was always coming home late under the pretext of "work," she might as well stay a little longer.
Aidan walked into the hotel.
Instead of reserving a private room, he casually sat down at the second-floor lobby bar and ordered a dozen of the strongest whiskeys.
He seemed like a regular here—everyone recognized him.
He raised his glass and drank straight from it.
The strong liquor was like water to him. He downed one glass after another in one go. Within just a few minutes, he had finished two glasses.
No one paid him any mind.
He sat alone at the black-and-white bar on a single chair, with only glass after glass of liquor for company.
That lonely, desolate figure was too much for Alison to bear.
She got up and left. As soon as she stepped out the hotel door, she hailed a taxi and headed straight for the villa.
In the cab, she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Aidan's number.
She had to call five times before; just as she was about to give up, a hoarse, drunken voice finally came through on the other end. "Alison, it's so late. What do you need? Did you dial the wrong number?"
"Aidan, Tyler's sick. He's been crying and fussing nonstop. Do you think you could come over and check on him?"
"Sick? Crying?" Aidan repeated, then paused briefly before saying, "If he's sick, he's sick. Lucia misses him."
"Aidan, are you out of your mind? He's your son! I'm giving you half an hour. If you don't come, I'll never take care of Tyler again—you can raise him yourself!" She hung up.
The taxi arrived.
Alison got out and walked into the villa, noticing that Jack's car wasn't in the garage.
He hadn't come home.
This overtime shift must be keeping him really busy.
Except now, instead of working overtime for clients, he was working overtime for Gwendolyn—a woman just like her.
Alison went into the living room and made some coffee.
The doorbell rang.
She picked up the video intercom and saw Aidan standing outside the door, reeking of alcohol and swaying back and forth.
"Alison, I'm here to see Tyler. Open the door."
She pressed the button, and Aidan stepped through the small side gate that had just opened.
The glass door swung open, and Aidan staggered inside.
"You wanted to see me?" he asked, his eye landing on Alison on the sofa.
Alison stood up, feeling awkward, and waved at him. "Aidan, come have some coffee. I just made it."
"Where's Tyler?"
"I just put him to sleep. Skyla's watching him. Why don't you sit down for a bit?"
Hearing that Tyler was already asleep, Aidan let out a long sigh. "Well, if he's okay, I'll be on my way."
He turned and walked away, showing no hint of lingering.
This was truly unlike the man he used to be.
"Aidan, don't go. Let's talk, okay?" Alison ran after him and hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. "Aidan, please stay."
The pleading tone in her voice made him stop in his tracks. "Is Tyler crying again?"
No sooner had he asked than she heard crying coming from upstairs.
By the time Alison reached the second floor, Aidan had already rushed into the room.
Skyla didn't recognize Aidan and was startled. "You're…"
"Skyla, go get some rest." Alison gave Skyla a meaningful look.
"Tyler, don't cry. Do you miss your mom?" Aidan awkwardly cradled the tiny baby, softening his gaze.