Chapter 166: Without a Shelter
Alison’s chest tightened, forcing herself to endure the pain.
The darkness swallowed the city, sending the wanderer stumbling back home.
Alison ignored her buzzing phone, convinced it was Jack.
If she picked up, her visit would be exposed—along with her broken heart.
Luckily, she had no need to rush; the clock made it clear she could never have arrived on time.
It was past midnight when she got home.
The children were already sound asleep.
Worn out, she lay down fully clothed, yet her eyes refused to close—the image of Aimée kissing Jack lingered.
The shackles in her heart told her how much she loved him.
She desperately wished there were no other women in his heart—only herself.
The night passed in her restless torment.
Sunlight slid into the room, yet her mood remained overcast.
A knock at the door broke the silence.
“Madam, Colton Harvey’s here,” the nanny called from outside.
“Please have him in the living room. I need to wash up.” Alison hurried into the bathroom, quickly tidying up. Her dark circles betrayed how little she’d slept.
Stepping into the living room, she found Colton sitting quietly on the sofa.
Noticing her, Colton instinctively stood and approached.
“Alison, what happened these days? You don’t look well.”
Alison forced a smile. “Nothing much. Just the bad weather and mosquitoes kept me from sleeping.”
“Why not light a mosquito coil?” He could always hit the mark.
“Maybe tonight. It might help me rest.” She murmured, her mind still in turmoil, words heavy on her tongue.
Colton suddenly reached out and touched her forehead. “Do you have a headache? You look sick.”
Before she could answer, he scooped her up and carried her toward the bedroom. “Alison, you have a fever. Go lie down and rest.”
As he placed her on the bed, she murmured, “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It should be me thanking you,” Colton said with a faint smile.
“What happened?” She gazed at him, puzzled by his sudden visit.
“I have to pay you back. I don’t want you suffering because of me. I’ve raised two hundred thousand dollars. Take it—pay off part of it first. I’ll handle the rest.” Colton’s chest tightened as he recalled what Jack had done to her that day.
“Alright, leave it here.” She nodded, knowing it was impossible to repay alone. Colton’s help would relieve her burden. Besides, she didn’t want to owe Jack a single penny right now.
Poker face or not, she no longer cared. The last thing she wanted was another entanglement with Jack—she was sick to death of the games.
Watching stacks of cash on the table, she trembled. My body earned this. How foolish I was.
“Colton, I’m really tired. I need to rest.” His presence suffocated her, reminding her of all she had endured these days.
Colton sensed her unease and offered, “I’ll go buy medicine and leave it with the nanny. Remember to take it on time. Be good, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you.” Her tone remained cold.
After handing the medicine to the nanny, Colton left.
Alison placed the money alongside the key she had found earlier, intending to return both to Jack.
She packed them into an inconspicuous parcel, afraid of being robbed on the way.
At noon, she went to the apartment, knowing he was absent.
The cactus was drought-resistant, yet the soil in its pot had dried out. She found the spare key tucked beneath the pot, unlocked the door, fetched water, and revived the cactus. Only then did it show signs of life.
She wondered how beautiful it would be when it bloomed.
She left the money and key on the living room table, tired of leaving notes that never worked.
Sliding into the bedroom, she found it a bit messy. The wardrobe door was still open—he must have rushed back for clothes, leaving in a hurry.
She walked over, closed the wardrobe, and restored the room to order.
As she approached the door to leave, she noticed a pair of slippers on the shoe rack—the very ones she had worn four years ago.
Four years had passed. They should have been erased, forgotten by everyone.
She gently picked up the slippers, the seashell necklace still hanging at her throat.
She truly loved it. As her fingers traced the shell’s surface, she could almost smell his lingering scent, mingled with the sea.
She closed the door softly, sealing away a Chapter of her life.
From this moment on, she had no shelter left.