Chapter 80 : Who Had Really Caused This Mess?
Nigel was shocked at her words. “You think I’m forcing you into this? If you hadn’t gone chasing after Jareth and defending him in front of Mr. Jackson, none of this would have happened!”
He went on. “Because you couldn’t stay in your lane, I’m in trouble. Sherrie’s engagement fell apart. Do you see us complaining? What gives you the right to act like the victim?”
Allison’s voice was filled with scorn as she retaliated. “So all of you helping the devil is fine, but me helping Jareth is wrong?”
Just because they stood on a different side, did that make her disobedient? Yes, she had helped Jareth, but that didn't mean she loved him. And it certainly didn't mean she had to marry him.
Marriage wasn't what made a life whole. A woman didn't need to get married just to prove her worth.
Whether she had feelings for Jareth had nothing to do with whether she was willing to marry him.
She had stayed in the Rogers house because she had no legal identity.
Without documents, she couldn't go anywhere.
She wanted her name back. She wanted out of this family.
She didn't want to be dragged into the Lopez family’s chaos. She didn't want to waste her life trapped between Jareth and Mr. Jackson’s games.
Ruth didn't want her son to end up in prison. She also did not want to make enemies with the Lopez family. And now, she finally believed that this whole mess had started because of Allison.
The one who tied the knot had to be the one to untie it. If Allison were really beaten to death, then who would marry Jareth?
Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “Ally, we’re not trying to hurt you. But Mr. Jackson is not someone we can afford to offend. Even if we let you go, do you really think he will?”
Ruth’s tears fell first, and Nigel felt a sharp sting behind his own eyes. His voice was hoarse as he said to Allison, “So you’re really going to drag the whole family down with you? Even if I go to jail, Mom cries herself to sleep, Sherrie’s future is ruined, and Toby’s world falls apart, you’d still refuse to marry him?”
Allison tilted her head back, her throat working as she swallowed. Two tears slid down her cheeks as she whispered, “So even if I live a miserable life, you’d still force me to marry?”
Nigel kept telling her to think of the family. But who had ever thought about her?
Then she said again in a firm tone. “You promised me. You said you would never force me to marry anyone. You said I could stay with the family for the rest of my life.”
“I…” Nigel’s eyes shook. Guilt crashed into him. It was heavy and suffocating, like two soaked cotton balls lodged in his chest. He could not get a single word out.
Allison was his baby sister. He had watched her grow up. How could it not hurt when she cried?
Seeing her now, collapsed on the floor after his own kick, panic surged inside him. What was he doing?
Had he not gone to Gabriel to fight for her? Then why was everyone crying now, including her?
Who had really caused this mess?
As Nigel’s eyes flicked around in confusion, Allison slowly took a breath and said, “Fine. I’ll marry him. But after that, I want nothing to do with any of you ever again.”
Ruth and Nigel stared at her in shock. Why was she so determined to cut ties with the family?
Marrying Jareth did not mean she had to stop being part of the Rogers family.
Allison turned to Luke. “Is the tailor still here? I can get measured now.”
Luke looked her over from head to toe. With all the injuries she had suffered, could she even stand?
But that wasn't his concern. If this could be settled quickly, it would be much better.
He gave the tailor a subtle nod, and the woman approached her.
Nigel wanted to stop them, but Ruth held him back. She was crying and shaking her head, as if telling him this was the best outcome and not to make it worse.
Sherrie clutched his arm, and tears streamed down her face. “Nigel, Allison didn’t mean what she said. We’re her family. Where else could she go? Once she calms down, she’ll understand…”
“Yeah,” Nigel murmured, his eyes flickering. That thought gave him something to hold on to. This was still her home. She would come back eventually. Blood ties couldn't simply be cut. They were siblings. No matter what she said, that would never change.
He slowly stepped back in silence, letting the tailor come closer.
At the doorway, Oliver glanced in Jareth's direction.
They had heard everything from beginning to end, how Allison had been pressured into this marriage after resisting for so long.
This wasn't the moment for Jareth to show himself. If he had any sense, he would turn around and walk away silently. No one would even know he had been there.
But instead, Jareth walked inside.
Allison’s small room was packed. The tailor tried to lift her up. She needed to stand for an accurate measurement.
But Allison winced in pain. Even after several attempts, she couldn’t get up.
Nigel suddenly felt pity for her. He nearly moved to help her, but Ronan reached her before he could. His voice was bitter. “You’re really going to marry Jareth?”
It was the first thing he had said to her all day.
Watching her force herself through the pain just to stand and be measured, something inside him twisted with jealousy.
Allison lifted her eyes and looked at him as if he were an idiot. She scoffed. “When I was being forced into this, you said nothing. Now that I’ve agreed, suddenly you have something to say?”
Sherrie glanced at Ronan nervously. She knew he still hadn’t fully let go of Allison, and she was terrified he might try to stop the wedding.
Ronan didn’t answer. After a fleeting moment of contemplation, he muttered resentfully, “I told you to stay away from Jareth. You didn’t listen. Now look where that got you. Do you even know what kind of person he is?”
“Mr. Ronan.” Luke’s face darkened as he interrupted him.
Then Jareth’s voice rang out.
“Talking behind people’s backs isn’t exactly a good habit.”