Chapter 55 : She Could Not Admit It
Sherrie shrank back, panic setting in. She honestly did not know how the cigarette had ended up in her clothes. Maybe it slipped in while she and Ronan were fooling around. Maybe he tucked it there by accident. But there was no way she could admit that.
She could not admit it. No way.
Her eyes darted around, and her voice shook as she blurted it out. “It wasn’t mine. Allison must have slipped it into my clothes. I don’t know why she would do something like that, but it wasn’t mine.”
She thought blaming Allison would get her out of trouble. Maybe Nigel would turn his anger on Allison instead.
But Nigel did not react to the accusation at all. He pulled out his phone instead. “I’ll just call Ronan and ask him myself.”
Sherrie panicked. “Mom…” she whispered in a trembling voice as she turned toward Ruth.
The moment she talked, both Ruth and Nigel stiffened.
That single word said everything. Sherrie had already slept with Ronan.
Nigel walked up to her quickly, and his eyes were fixed on her. “Did he force you?”
Sherrie’s face crumpled with shame, and no words came out. But to Nigel, her silence was enough to answer his question.
His face went pale with rage. He yelled harshly, “How many times have I told you, no sex before marriage. Not until you have that marriage certificate in your hand. I thought you were the one I didn’t have to worry about. I never imagined you’d make the same mistake as the others!”
Sherrie had never been yelled at like that. She burst into tears and curled up behind Ruth.
Ruth’s heart ached as she rushed to defend her. “So what if Sherrie slept with Ronan? It’s not a big deal. This is how things are now. People have sex before marriage all the time. Nigel, why are you acting more old school than me?”
Nigel rubbed his temples, drained. It wasn’t just her words. It was the ignorance behind them that wore him down.
He let out a sigh. “Mom, think about it. You really don’t see what’s going on? The Lopez family has been dragging this out. They were never planning to let this marriage happen. Now her reputation is at risk. What if Ronan backs out? What happens to Sherrie then?”
Ruth shrugged it off. “That won’t happen. Ronan is obsessed with her. Why would he walk away?”
There was no point arguing with her, so Nigel turned back to Sherrie.
Sherrie bit her lip as tears streamed down her face. She knew it. Nigel no longer looked at her the same way as before. Whatever image he once had of her was completely shattered.
Heartbroken, she turned and tried to leave.
Nigel noticed the change in her expression and grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”
Through her sobs, Sherrie cried, “I’m sorry, Nigel. I embarrassed you. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
That struck Ruth hard. She rushed swiftly and pulled her daughter into her arms. “Nigel, are you trying to push her over the edge?”
Nigel was shocked. That thought had never crossed his mind. He stood there, stiff and caught off guard. But the truth was, Sherrie had made a mistake. Someone had to take responsibility.
Still, she was his sister. What was done was done. And Sherrie had always been quick to crumble under emotional pressure. She was fragile, easily shaken, and took everything to heart. Now that he had exposed something so private, what if she could not handle it? What if she really did something reckless?
Nigel clenched his jaw. He made his decision.
“Sherrie, this isn’t your fault.” Then he turned to Ruth. “Watch her. Don’t let her do anything stupid. I’m going to talk to Ronan. He owes us an explanation.”
He stormed downstairs and called out, “Allison. You’re coming with me to the Lopez estate.”
Allison looked up, startled. She had heard the shouting upstairs, but she had no idea why she was being dragged into it.
Shouldn’t Sherrie be the one confronting Ronan?
Nigel did not explain. He grabbed his keys and walked out, signaling for her to follow.
Soon after, they arrived at the Lopez estate.
Nigel got out first and opened the door for Allison. She instinctively reached for her mask.
Her face was still healing. The scar looked raw and harsh under the light.
Nigel glanced at her for a moment, then said softly, “You don’t need the mask. We’re not around strangers, and it might only make the wound worse.”
Allison looked at the Lopez staff moving back and forth, feeling anxious.
She used to come to this house often. Everyone here knew her.
No one wanted their ugliest side exposed in front of people who knew them.
But Nigel glanced at her and did not change his mind.
Allison’s heart sank. She slowly lowered the mask.
It would not be her first time being humiliated at the Lopez estate. One more would not make a difference.
Nigel looked at the scar across her cheek, and something tightened in his chest. He knew what he was about to do would hurt her, but he had no choice.
Maybe to make himself feel better, he said something he had never said before. “Ally, after this, just focus on healing. I won’t force you to get married again.”
Allison’s brow twitched slightly. She knew Nigel well. He only made promises like that when he felt guilty. When he was about to do something, he knew she would not forgive.
But what choice did she have? She said nothing and followed him inside.
As they walked through the estate, the staff could not help noticing the scar on Allison’s face. But this was the Lopez family. Every maid followed strict rules. No matter what they thought, no one dared to say a word.
The Lopez estate was arranged like a private compound, with each family member living in a separate residence.
Ronan stayed at Maplecrest Villa, a serene corner of the property surrounded by tall red maples.
Near the trees stood a small garden pavilion, built to receive guests.
Nigel gestured for Allison to wait there, then walked into Maplecrest without another word.
Allison sat silently on the cushioned stone bench inside the pavilion. She remained calm and composed, even as the passing staff continued to glance in her direction.