Chapter 150 Marry Me
They couldn't figure out why she suddenly got so angry.
The world of adults is something kids just can't understand. The family of four was happily eating seafood together, but as soon as the woman who was supposed to take wedding photos with Dad showed up, the atmosphere changed completely. Everything felt off.
"Mom's gonna make a call, and we'll know soon enough." It was only a little past seven, and those buses usually ran until ten at night.
Alison went back to her room and started rummaging through the drawers. She remembered there was a place that sold bus tickets. Maybe a quick call could sort out where they could go.
"Hi, are there any tickets left for tonight to any tourist spots?"
"Which spot are you interested in, ma'am?" The person on the other end asked politely.
"Anywhere's fine. I just need to get out for a bit. As long as there are tickets for tonight, it doesn't matter where."
The ticket agent paused, probably checking the computer, and quickly replied, "Ma'am, we have tickets to the Volcano Geopark. Would you like to go there?"
"Sure, let's do that. One adult and two kids, three tickets."
"Alright, the bus leaves at 9:40. You'll need to head to the pickup point now to get your tickets and board."
In just a few moments, everything was settled.
Alison left the house in the care of the woman who was supposed to take wedding photos with her husband. She didn't even tell Laura where she was going.
Jack already knew everything about her, so she couldn't tell anyone where she was headed. She didn't want to see him right now.
She took Sophia and Ethan and boarded the bus. The two kids were very well-behaved, following her quietly. As long as Mom wasn't crying, they were happy.
They knew Mom was very upset, though no one dared to ask why. They were sure it had something to do with Dad.
The night grew darker as the bus moved forward, leaving the deep night behind.
She lay on the bus, thinking about how they wouldn't reach the Volcano Geopark until the next morning. She wasn't in a hurry; she just wanted to pass the time.
This vacation was a chance for her to sort out her thoughts and think about her future.
She wanted to take control of her life and decide her own future.
The view outside the window was pitch black, just like her heavy heart, with no end in sight.
Watching the kids slowly fall asleep, she thought they were so lucky. They didn't have to worry about anything.
Even though she couldn't see the scenery outside, she kept staring into the darkness, her thoughts rising and falling with the bus's movements. Memories of the past flashed through her mind.
She remembered the moment he suddenly appeared at the amusement park, his smile, and how he had changed... It all felt like a dream, unreal.
She stopped lying to herself. A dream is just a dream; it will never come true.
With a bitter smile, tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking her clothes and softening her heart.
Thinking back to the slap she gave Aimée, she still couldn't believe she had done it. Yes, she had long harbored resentment towards Aimée for framing her and making others think she almost caused her to miscarry.
That night, she had tossed and turned, unable to sleep. As dawn broke, she still felt wide awake. The bus was about to reach its destination, and she woke up Sophia and Ethan, getting them ready to get off.
The kids were thrilled. It was their first vacation, and they were full of curiosity and excitement.
"Mommy, will the volcano erupt?"
"No, it's an extinct volcano. If it were active, Mommy wouldn't dare bring you here."
"Haha, that's good. Why aren't we there yet?" The kids were getting impatient, eager to see the volcano.
Their joy was contagious, and she decided not to think about anything else. It wasn't worth being sad or upset for anyone. Her body and her mood were her own. The day had dawned bright and new, and she was ready to start a new life.
The Volcano Geopark was a great place for a vacation. They checked into a hotel and washed away the fatigue of the night. Though a bit tired, she took her curious kids to see the unique landscape left by the extinct volcano.
In front of them, besides the flowers and trees, were basalt columns forming various natural landscapes. Some looked like animals, others like clouds, all sorts of shapes that were endlessly fascinating. These primitive rocks seemed to transport them to a magical world.
They spent the whole day exploring, but a guide told them they had only seen less than a third of the park.
She walked with the kids, wanting to see the whole world. She loved traveling, but this was her first real trip. It seemed she hadn't been kind enough to herself before.
On the third day, her phone still lay there, untouched.
Night fell silently, and the kids, exhausted from the day's adventures, were fast asleep.
Alison sat by the hotel room window, gazing at the kapok tree outside. Its branches were full of green leaves, reaching high into the sky as if trying to touch the heavens.
She imagined the beautiful scene of the kapok tree in full bloom in spring.
As she quietly watched, her thoughts became calm.
Looking back at the kids, they slept so peacefully.
Alison walked to the bed and gently stroked their faces. She had done this countless times, but she still loved it. These past few days, their happy smiles had helped her through the tough times.
Now, she felt much better.
Tomorrow, she planned to have another fun day with the kids. Maybe after that, it would be time to head home.
Though the outside world was beautiful, this kind of fun was draining her savings, and it wasn't something she could sustain for long.
On such a quiet night, going for a walk seemed like a wonderful idea.
Alison put on her coat, buttoned it up, and opened the door. The hotel hallway was quiet, with soft, dim lighting.
The guests were all asleep, just like Sophia and Ethan.
She stepped into the elevator and left the hotel. A gentle breeze blew, lifting her hair. The night was truly beautiful.
Walking down the hotel steps, she saw familiar clusters of trees.
Alison walked over, wanting to listen to the whispers of the trees and feel the beauty of the night.
In the half-light, she saw a faint glow from a cigarette and instinctively stopped. But it was too late; she was already too close.
Just a few steps ahead, someone was smoking.
Seeing the lit cigarette startled her. She didn't know how long he had been sitting there.
A sense of fear gripped her, and she turned to leave.
But as she took a step, the area suddenly lit up like daylight. Christmas trees, even though it was summer, looked incredibly real.
White "snowflakes" floated in the air, and neon lights twinkled. Right where the cigarette had been glowing, Jack slowly stood up, gazing at her. At that moment, it seemed like all the stars in the sky had fallen on him. He looked like a knight who had weathered many storms, walking towards her.
His chin was covered in stubble, and he looked thinner but more mature.
With a casual wave, a large bouquet of roses fell from the tree above him. He caught it, knelt on one knee, and looked at her with intense eyes. "Alison, will you marry me?"
Was he a surprise from Santa Claus?
She reached out her hand, and a white snowflake landed in her palm. Though it felt warm, its realism made her throat tighten with emotion.