Chapter 94 : She Still Wants To Marry Him?
Sherrie was practically seething. She really didn't understand what had moved Nigel. People like him were the worst. Hovering between good and bad, they ended up making everyone around them miserable.
Nigel sat there in silence for a long time. His mind kept replaying Allison’s angry words and the way she accused him of taking back all his kindness.
But even if a gift could be taken back, could I really take back my heart so easily? Why couldn’t Allison understand me? Why did she never see my sincerity?
He swallowed the bitterness rising in his throat and thought to himself…
As her older brother, I would not hold a grudge against my little sister. Even if Allison’s heart was as cold as iron, I would find a way to warm it.
“Sherrie, do me a favor.”
Allison was upset because he had given her gift to Sherrie. That was simple enough. He would just make her another one.
Consider it a wedding gift for her.
Nigel had Sherrie prepare some walnut wood and carpentry tools.
Before long, the hospital room was a mess, filled with wood and equipment. Saws, planes, and stacks of materials were scattered everywhere.
Nigel gripped the saw and braced one foot against the plank, cutting through the wood one stroke at a time.
At first, there was nothing unusual, except for his injured hand. Each time he put in effort, fresh blood seeped through the gauze, dyeing it a deep crimson.
“Nigel, your hand… It’s bleeding…” Sherrie’s eyes widened in shock, tears rising instantly.
She rushed over, snatched the saw from his hands, and held it tight against her chest. “If you’re doing this because you’re afraid Allison is angry with you, then I’ll give the jewelry box back to her. You don’t need to hurt yourself like this.”
Tears streamed down her face. Even Nigel’s eyes turned red at her words. But he still took the saw back from her trembling hands.
“I know Ally,” he murmured. “She has her pride. Once she gives something away, even if it’s thrown aside, she’ll never take it back. I’ll just make her a new one.”
Sherrie reached out to grab the saw again. “Then let me help. I’ll do it. Just tell me what to do, okay?”
Nigel gave her a grateful smile, but his grip didn't loosen. “Sherrie… if only Ally were as understanding as you.”
Then he went back to sawing the wood.
Sherrie panicked, unable to talk him out of it. Just then, Ronan arrived.
Seeing him felt like seeing a savior. “Ronan, please say something to my Nigel. He insists on making a jewelry box for Allison, even with his hand like this.”
Nigel said softly, “There’s no need to persuade me. Allison resents me right now. But once I finish this jewelry box, I’m pretty sure her anger will vanish.”
Ronan knew Nigel well. He was stubborn to the core. Trying to talk him out of it would be pointless. So he turned to Sherrie. “Stay here and keep an eye on him. I’ll go bring Allison over.”
“What?” Sherrie’s face fell. She didn't like the idea of Ronan and Allison being alone together, but there was nothing she could do.
Ronan didn't find Allison in her hospital room. Instead, he saw her standing in a corner of the hallway, speaking softly on the phone. She was calling her school, arranging to take the upcoming entrance exams.
By the time she hung up, she had no idea Ronan had silently wheeled himself right up behind her. When she turned to leave, she tripped over the wheelchair and fell straight into his arms.
Even before she touched him, her faint scent drifted over, soothing the deep furrow in Ronan’s brow slightly.
Allison frowned and immediately tried to push herself up, but Ronan pressed her shoulders down, his voice cold. “Am I really that unbearable to you?”
She shoved him away hard. “Show some respect. By seniority, you should be calling me ‘Aunt.’”
The word “Aunt” hit like a slap, leaving Ronan with an expression that was hard to read.
He gave a faint sneer. “Sounds like you’re quite pleased with this marriage. But do you really know Jareth? Do you know what’s behind—”
Before he could finish, Allison interrupted him. “I know. He has a mistress, doesn’t he?”
Ronan stared at her in disbelief. She knew, yet she still agreed to marry him?
Allison hadn't expected her wild guess to be so close to the truth.
So it was true. Jareth really did love another woman. And I was nothing more than a convenient front.
“Ronan? Ronan? Where are you?” Sherrie’s voice suddenly rang out, filled with impatience. She almost didn't notice them at first. Ronan and Allison were standing uncomfortably close to each other.
Allison gave Ronan an annoyed look. She didn't want any trouble, so before Sherrie could notice anything else, she turned and walked away.
Ronan’s voice called out from behind her. “Go see Nigel. He’s not in good shape right now.”
Not in good shape?
Halfway back to her room, Allison changed her mind. She turned and went to Nigel’s room instead.
Sherrie was gone. Only Nigel was there, sweating as he struggled with the saw. Blood seeped out and stained the pale walnut wood.
Allison stood in the doorway, watching blood gather in his palm before dripping onto the wood, one drop at a time.
Sensing someone at the door, Nigel stopped and looked up at her.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. They were separated by distance, and even more by the cold barrier that had formed between them.
Uncertainty flickered in his eyes. After a pause, he tried to explain. “I was going to make you a new jewelry box. From rosewood…”
He was about to explain that the rosewood tree couldn't be brought back yet because Sherrie’s asthma hadn't fully recovered.
But Allison swiftly cut him off. “I don’t need it.”
Nigel was stunned when he heard her words. She wouldn’t even accept my apology?
Allison’s voice was filled with sarcasm. “You really think this is going to make me happy?”
Nigel’s brow furrowed as he was clearly annoyed by her sharp remark.