Chapter 74 : Had I Gone Crazy?
Joe carefully prepared the plaster and, upon seeing Allison, greeted her casually. “Ms. Rogers, I forgot to ask last time. What’s the name of this plaster?”
Allison was stunned for a moment, a strange look flashing across her face.
Joe immediately realized his mistake. He quickly covered his mouth, remembering that Allison had specifically told him not to mention it to Jareth when she wrote the prescription.
Jareth glanced at the medicine in Joe’s hands and instantly recognized it as the same plaster he had been using on his leg lately. With a hint of sarcasm, he said, “It’s called ‘Beloved,’ right?”
Joe, thinking Jareth was teasing Allison, was surprised by his sudden playful tone, but he still praised him. “That’s a good name!”
Allison’s face flushed, but she said nothing. She had come here to properly thank Jareth, then head home.
After all, Jareth wasn't a close relative, so she couldn't just stay at his place.
Standing there like a well-behaved student, she sincerely thanked him, and Jareth merely acknowledged it with a grunt.
Allison understood his unpredictable temper, so she didn't try to make any conversation. After a brief glance at Jareth, she turned and hurried to the dresser, clutching the pink scarf tightly to her chest.
Noticing Jareth looking her way, she quickly bowed again in thanks before turning to leave.
Joe joked, “Ms. Rogers really is something, bowing like a schoolgirl greeting her elders.”
Jareth’s expression darkened as he casually knocked a bottle of medicine over on the counter.
Joe immediately wiped away the boyish grin from his face, realizing his mistake. “Mr. Taylor, don’t poison ‘Beloved’ now!”
Seeing that Joe was still joking, Jareth picked up the bottle between his fingers, clearly ready to shut him up. Joe quickly waved his hands and retreated. “Mr. Taylor, please, please, there’s no need for that…”
Allison had just stepped out of the hospital when someone approached her.
After the kidnapping incident, fear still lingered in Allison’s heart. When she saw someone walking toward her, her first instinct was to step back.
The person stopped immediately and raised a phone. “Ms. Rogers, don’t be afraid. I’m here on Mr. Taylor’s orders.”
The call was still connected, and Jareth’s voice came through the speaker. “Get in the car.”
It was obvious he was speaking to Allison.
Allison belatedly murmured an “Oh,” but it seemed the other end didn't hear her. Jareth hung up the call instantly.
After she got into the car, the driver lowered the partition between the front and back seats.
The silence in the enclosed space made it easy for her thoughts to drift. Allison leaned back against the seat, and her mind unconsciously turned to Jareth.
Why did he always get angry for no reason? Could it be a midlife crisis?
In Ronan’s hospital room, he sat on the bed blankly after Sherrie pushed him back. She had talked to him, but he didn't respond, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
Sherrie assumed he was in too much pain to focus, so she decided to leave and went to get him some painkillers.
Left alone, Ronan finally looked toward the window with his mind stuck on Allison’s words, “Beloved.”
Years ago, when he had injured his leg, it had been Allison who stayed by his bedside, making and testing the medicine again and again.
Back then, he had been impatient with the pain and irritated by her presence. He had even scolded her.
After that, she kept her distance, avoiding him while she worked on the medicine. Two days later, she returned with dark circles under her eyes and scrapes all over her body, holding a new batch of medicine. Once it was applied, the pain slowly faded.
It was only later that he learned Allison hadn't slept for two nights. She had tried countless mixtures and searched every pharmacy in the city for a rare ingredient. She had even fallen and injured her hands along the way.
Back then, young and sincere in his feelings, Ronan couldn't help but be moved by Allison’s dedication. Proud of his devoted little wife, he had impulsively suggested naming the medicine “Beloved” as a reward for her.
He had even bragged about opening a hospital for Allison to run as its head, a place where she could share her medicine, and where “Beloved” would stand as a symbol of their perfect love forever.
He still remembered her expression when he said it. At first, she frowned at the name. But after hearing his grand plans, she smiled, looking genuinely touched.
Ronan let out a soft chuckle as he recalled that moment. Then, after the laughter faded, he suddenly froze.
What was I doing? Had I gone crazy? Why was I thinking about the past now?
Allison no longer liked him. She even hated him and wanted him as far away from her as possible. She had gone so far as to scheme against him, deliberately pushing him toward Sherrie.
Ronan clenched his fist, still unable to accept it. Even without the marriage he’d promised, did their twenty years together amount to nothing at all? Could they not at least be friends?
Why was Allison being so cold toward him? She was not even willing to give him the medicine.
“Ronan!” Sherrie rushed over, holding a new batch of plaster. She announced proudly, “I made you a fresh batch of medicine. I guarantee it will ease the pain the moment you put it on!”
Of course, Sherrie had no idea how to make real plaster. All she did was spray a topical anesthetic onto an ordinary patch.
“Take it away. I don’t need it,” Ronan snapped. He wasn't even sure who he was angry at, as his tone was filled with venom. “I don’t believe that bastard can endure the pain while I can’t!”
He was determined to prove to Allison that he was no worse than Jareth.
When Allison returned to the Rogers mansion, the door was unlocked since Sherrie and Nigel hadn't come back yet.
It was already close to three in the morning, and Ruth had long gone to bed.
The lights in the living room were still on. The moment Allison entered, she saw gifts piled across the floor. She paused briefly. When she noticed the white dove sticker on the finely carved wooden box, she immediately knew who it belonged to.
Engagement gifts were only left in the living room when there were too many to place anywhere else.
It was clear that Ronan was still very attentive toward Sherrie.