Chapter 172: If You Love It, You Must Have It
Aimée had always been Isabella’s ideal daughter-in-law—well-bred, beautiful, and a perfect match for Jack in every way.
Jack had to surrender, telling himself she was doing everything for his sake.
He took her hand, saying, “Aimée, thank you.”
“Mummy, is Daddy’s family okay? Why hasn’t he come to see us yet?” Ethan stared into his mother’s eyes as he asked.
“Daddy must be busy. You two need to understand that. Ethan, take your sister to play.”
“Mummy, I want to watch TV.”
“No. There aren’t any good cartoons on right now.”
“Mommy, I want to watch!” Neither he nor Sophia had been allowed to read the newspaper or make phone calls for days. They had no news of Jack.
Ethan felt unease.
Had Daddy changed his mind? If so, I wouldn’t let him off the hook!
Alison felt a twinge of guilt. She had been too strict with them lately.
Fine, it was just TV.
She nodded and smiled. “Go ahead, but not for too long. It’s bad for your eyes.”
Ethan grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. The moment he saw the screen, he froze. It took him a while to recover.
“Sophia, come quick! It looks like Daddy!”
“Really?” Sophia asked.
“Yep, it is,” Ethan replied.
It drew Alison’s gaze to the television. Staring at Jack on the screen, she forgot to tell the kids to turn it off. She hadn’t heard from Jack in a long time. She had pretended not to care, yet her longing never faded.
It was Jack and Aimée taking wedding photos. They looked like a fairy-tale prince and princess preparing for their wedding.
“Mummy, is Daddy filming a wedding advert with that lady?” Ethan asked.
Alison smiled and replied, “Yes, Daddy is shooting a wedding commercial.”
Sophia stared at Jack on the screen. “Mummy, why isn’t Daddy filming with you?”
“Mummy doesn’t do commercials. Go and watch cartoons. It’s just an advert—nothing to see here,” Alison said.
“No, I want to watch Daddy. He’s so handsome, and he looks even better in that tuxedo,” Sophia insisted.
Although she told the children to change the channel, Alison couldn’t take her eyes off it either.
The black tuxedo looked stunning on Jack, making him seem more mature. Marrying Aimée was his right choice—it protected the child in her womb and won back his mother’s heart.
She smiled lightly, telling herself: Don’t be jealous. Instead of blaming him, bless them.
Then she stood, walked over to Sophia, and changed the channel to a children’s programme.
“Mummy, I want to watch Daddy,” Sophia pouted.
“Stop watching. Daddy’s just filming a commercial,” Alison replied.
“But I heard on TV that Daddy’s going to marry that lady,” Ethan said, confused.
“That’s grown-up business, not for you kids.”
“No way! If he really is marrying her, I have to find him!” Ethan declared, rushing to the door.
Alison felt a deep sadness, yet forced a smile. She knelt and asked softly, “Mummy will always be with you.”
“No, I want Daddy!” The taunts he’d heard at the playground still rang in his ears—children without fathers were always bullied.
Alison frowned, her heart twisting with worry.
“Sweetie, Mummy can’t give you a daddy right now,” she whispered.
Trembling, Ethan asked, “Mummy, does Daddy really not want us anymore? Doesn’t he love you?”
Alison shook her head, unwilling to shatter Jack’s image. “No, Daddy loves Mummy, and he loves you both. He’ll come and see us. Trust Mummy, okay?” She pulled Ethan close and perched him on her lap.
They clung tightly together.
“Really?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. When have I ever lied to you?” Alison replied.
“Mummy, can I call Daddy? I just want to hear his voice,” Sophia pleaded.
“Daddy can’t talk right now. He’s working,” Alison lied, exhausted.
How long can I keep up these lies?
When the right day came, she would tell them the truth.