Chapter 50 : Why Aren’t You Wearing The Ring?
Sherrie walked over, clearly confused, and slipped her hand into Ronan’s. “Ronan, what’s going on?”
She noticed the change in his expression. Her eyes shifted nervously between him and Allison. Something felt wrong. It was as if the two of them were hiding something from her.
Then she noticed something. She lifted Ronan’s hand and frowned. “Wait. Why aren’t you wearing the ring I gave you?”
She shot a quick look at Allison, her instincts telling her it had something to do with her. Ronan taking off the ring could not be a coincidence.
Back when Ronan was still wearing the engagement ring from Allison, Sherrie had hated seeing it. That was why she pushed to give him a new one. Something that belonged only to her. Something to erase the past.
Now that he had taken it off, she was certain Allison was involved.
Nigel did not notice the tension between them. His face was tight as he pulled Allison aside and led her to a spot with better lighting so he could examine her face. The longer he looked, the angrier he became. His voice became rough. “Of all places… why your face?”
Allison did not answer. He is not worried about me. He is just angry that the scar is somewhere people will easily notice. That is why he is upset.
Sure enough, Nigel followed with a sharp accusation. “Did you do this on purpose? Are you trying to get out of the engagement or something?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize how harsh they sounded. He quickly backtracked. “You should go lie down. I’ll find someone who can help treat the scar.”
Allison said nothing and silently went back to her room.
It was the only room in the Rogers house where she felt even a bit comfortable.
She sat at the desk, resting her chin in her hand, staring blankly as she tried to figure out what to do next.
Then the old phone Sherrie had given her suddenly started ringing.
She barely used that phone. She had never given the number to anyone. Other than someone from the Rogers family, who else would be calling her?
She stared at the screen as it buzzed. Just before the call ended, she answered.
“Hello?” A calm male voice came through. Allison was sure she had heard it somewhere before. When she did not respond, the man continued, “Hey, it’s Gabriel Todd. We met at Hotel Marcellus. You remember me, right?”
Back then, Nigel had only introduced her as a distant relative. So how did Gabriel know she was part of the Rogers family?
Allison replied slowly. “Hi.”
Gabriel clearly had not expected her to sound so guarded and went straight to the point. “Here’s the thing. I’m interested in the Rogers family’s medical notes. But Ms. Allison told me you burned them. Is that true?”
His voice was sharp and impatient, like he was used to giving orders. It sounded as if he was venting that irritation at Allison, almost blaming her for what had happened.
And when Allison heard him call Sherrie by her name, her chest tightened. Her fingers curled tightly around the phone.
When Allison still did not respond, Gabriel’s voice turned colder as his patience wore thin. “Maybe you don’t know who you’re dealing with, but I don’t give up easily. Especially not on those medical notes. If you can rewrite them from memory, name your price. Whatever you want.”
Allison did not flinch. “I can’t.”
“Ms. Allison said you have an exceptional memory,” he shot back sharply. “You just don’t want to do it.”
Allison let out a slow breath. Of course. Sherrie always finds a way to make my life harder.
“She lied. I have a terrible memory. I’m mentally ill,” she said flatly, looking out the window with a slight frown.
She thought she had heard something earlier. Now, when the window moved slightly, she was sure something, or someone, was out there.
She set the phone down and moved slowly toward the window, missing Gabriel’s final threat as the call abruptly ended.
Allison stood frozen by the window as a thin wire slid through the gap, hooked the latch, and twisted it until it loosened.
The window was not large. It was only meant for ventilation, so there were no security cameras on the outside wall.
Allison had no idea who was trying to break in.
Click. The lock gave way. A second later, the window was shoved open from the outside.
Ronan had one foot on the sill, while his hands gripped the window frame. He was startled when he saw Allison standing right in front of him.
Then he recovered quickly and started to climb in.
Allison reacted faster. She shoved him hard. “Get out!”
Ronan frowned and glanced over his shoulder before saying, “Someone’s coming. Do you really want them to see me climbing through your window?”
Allison’s face darkened. Ronan was the one crossing the line, yet somehow she was the one being forced into a corner.
That was how things always worked in the Rogers family. No matter who was at fault, the blame always fell on her.
“I’m serious. Someone’s coming,” Ronan whispered, urgency creeping into his voice.
Allison clenched her teeth, then she moved aside.
Ronan jumped down onto the floor and closed the window behind him.
Outside, Sherrie followed and pressed herself against the wall, eavesdropping.
Inside the room, neither of them noticed. Allison went back to her desk with a cold expression and glanced at her phone.
Gabriel had already hung up.
Ronan glanced around at the familiar room and quietly took a breath.
The faint scent in the air was hers. It felt distant yet familiar, and it reminded Ronan of something he had not felt in a long time.
It was not sweet or pleasant. It smelled more like herbs and old wood, with a sharp medicinal smell. He used to complain about it. He used to tell her to wash it off before coming to see him.
And yet, that scent gave him a strange sense of comfort.
He brushed the thought aside, slipped one hand into his pocket, and walked over with his usual coolness. “Thanks for not letting Nigel blame me earlier.”