Chapter 107 The Older, the Wiser
Over the past five years, Aimée's mom had introduced her to many young men, but Aimée had rejected them all. Deep down, her mom knew that Aimée's heart belonged to Jack.
With a cunning plan in mind, Aimée's eyes lit up as she gratefully said, "Mom, you're the best. I get it now. I know what to do." She then threw herself into her mother's arms, pleading, "Mom, please stay with me for a few months."
Aimée's mom lovingly stroked her daughter's head and agreed, "Alright, I'll stay with you. I want to see you marry into the Winston family in style."
Aimée, feeling deeply wronged, cried in her mother's arms. In truth, it was Alison who should be crying. She had done nothing wrong, yet Aimée had used her.
The woman from that night was Aimée, and the child she was carrying was his. But he knew Aimée didn't want the baby. Yet, it was his child!
As Aidan stood dazed at the door of Aimée's hospital room, Isabella emerged from Alison's room and saw him. "Aidan, when did you get here?" she asked.
Aidan snapped out of his thoughts and quickly replied, "Isabella, I just got here. I was about to come see you."
Isabella sighed and said, "Come in and sit down. Poor Aimée has to stay in the hospital to protect her pregnancy. But she seems troubled. You young people are getting harder for me to understand."
Of course, Aimée was troubled. She wanted to terminate Aidan's baby.
At that moment, Aidan and Isabella walked in. Aimée, trying to appear calm, said, "Aidan, why didn't you come in when you arrived?"
Aidan immediately knew Aimée was testing him. He smiled and said, "I just got here. I hadn't even touched the door when I ran into Isabella." Despite his calm exterior, Aidan's mind was in turmoil. He looked at Aimée's belly, and for a moment, it felt like his child was about to be born. He suddenly wanted a child of his own.
That night, he was full of questions about why it was Aimée, but his rational side told him not to ask. Otherwise, Aimée might really terminate the pregnancy.
Keeping the baby, as Aimée said, could be a disaster. After all, she didn't want to marry him, and he didn't want to marry her. The child couldn't call Jack "Daddy," could it? That was absurd.
But Aimée shouldn't have framed Alison, making everyone misunderstand her and causing her to suffer Jack's anger. Remembering Alison's anxious look in the emergency room, he felt Aimée had gone too far. She wasn't worth it.
As for Jack...
Thinking of him, Aidan no longer wanted the baby.
His mind kept wavering, sometimes wanting Aimée to keep the baby, sometimes not.
After sitting for a while, Aidan excused himself. As he turned to leave, he looked back at Aimée and said, "Take care, Aimée."
Aimée felt a heavy weight in her heart. "I will, Aidan," she replied. She didn't know if Aidan had heard anything, but she didn't dare ask.
Watching him leave, Aimée's mom hurried to the bedside and held Aimée's hand.
Noticing her daughter's distress, she knew they couldn't let Isabella become suspicious, regardless of what Aidan had heard. "Aimée, you look so pale. I'll call Auntie to make something delicious for you."
As she went to make the call, Isabella sat by the bed and said, "Aimée, I saw Alison. I warned her not to see you or Jack again. You should also tell Jack to stay away from that woman. She seems strange and not simple."
"Thank you, Isabella. I understand," Aimée replied. Thinking of Alison being scolded by Isabella, she felt somewhat balanced. It was all Alison's fault. If it weren't for her, she would be carrying Jack's child now.
Meanwhile, Alison was sitting in a wheelchair, packing her things. She wanted to be discharged.
Just then, Aidan knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Aidan pushed the door open and saw Alison packing. "Alison, what are you doing?" he asked.
Without turning around, Alison replied, "I'm getting discharged." She had stayed in the hospital partly to avoid worrying Aidan and partly to ensure Aimée's baby was safe. Now, with Isabella and Aimée's mother around, her worries were unnecessary.
"But Alison, your leg isn't healed yet. The cast hasn't even been removed," Aidan said, concerned.
"It's fine. I can recover at home. Auntie will take care of me," Alison answered.
Aidan looked at Alison, sensing she was unhappy. "Alison, are you upset? Did Isabella say something to you?" he asked.
Alison shook her head. "No, Aidan. Just let me know in advance if there are any events with Jack and Aimée. I'll avoid them." She hoped to never cross paths with Jack again.
"Alison, are you angry?" Aidan asked, sensing her emotions.
"No," Alison denied.
But Aidan felt she was lying. "Alison, no matter what others say, I believe you. I know you didn't do what Aimée accused you of," he said. He knew the truth but didn't know how to make Alison happy.
Alison looked up, gently pulling her arm away from Aidan's grasp. "Aidan, you're the only one who believes me. But I know the Winston family dislikes me because of my face. I don't want any unnecessary rumors causing trouble for us," she said.
Aidan felt uneasy hearing her words. "Alison, are you telling me not to pursue you anymore?" he asked.
"I'm already a mother of two. It's impossible for us," she replied.
"Even though you're a mother, the kids are adopted. That doesn't change anything. I'll be good to them, I promise," Aidan said earnestly.
"No, Aidan. I'm not right for you. You should find someone like Miss Sherry, someone with a good family background and excellent qualities, not someone like me," Alison said, gently refusing him.
"Who says that? Alison, you're honest, kind, gentle, and hardworking. When you're with me, I feel relaxed and happy. No other woman can give me that. I like you," Aidan said, hugging her from behind.
Alison felt a moment of confusion because Aidan's scent reminded her of Jack. She thought that if Jack weren't in the picture, she might accept Aidan.
Just then, Jack walked in. He had come to find Aidan. Seeing Aidan holding Alison, they looked so perfect together that he was stunned.
"You two..." Jack was too surprised to speak.
"Second brother, why are you still interested in this woman? She's not worth it! Women with that face are all heartless. One day, she'll hurt you!" Jack said angrily.
"That's my business. As long as I like her, that's enough," Aidan said firmly.
Alison remained still. Seeing Jack approach, she thought that if this could keep her away from Jack, she wouldn't resist Aidan's embrace.
Jack looked at Aidan and Alison, filled with anger. "Second brother, don't say I didn't warn you. When you get hurt, you'll remember my words. I'm leaving. Remember to come back to the family house for dinner tonight and bring all the villa documents," he said.
Jack left as quickly as he came, disappearing in an instant. The air still carried his unique scent, something Aidan could never replicate.
When someone is deeply rooted in another's heart, removing that thorn requires cutting out the heart itself. Otherwise, love and heart remain intertwined, inseparable.
As the door closed, it seemed to shut Alison's heart as well. She no longer wanted to open it easily.
The past tenderness and memories had already blown away, turning into fleeting smoke.