Chapter 184: Worries
Isabella said, “Come inside quickly, dinner will be served shortly.”
“Okay.” Aimée waited for Jack to open the door for her. A wave of satisfaction washed over her— this was one of the perks of being pregnant.
Cradling her belly, she stepped out of the car carefully.
Isabella was already approaching. “Aimée, Cassandra is here too. Please don’t pay any attention to her. Otherwise, if she becomes agitated and hurts you, it would be terrible.”
“Did Aunt Cassandra come alone?”
“She has a caretaker with her.”
“And what about Aidan?” Aimée asked deliberately, feigning ignorance.
“Not sure. I didn’t see him. He’s probably still busy with work.”
“It’s fine as long as he’s here tomorrow. Jack, let’s go inside together.” Aimée happily offered her arm to Jack, intending to link arms with him.
Jack, however, subtly shifted his body to avoid her.
“Mum, I have a headache. I’ll go upstairs and take a painkiller. You take Aimée inside.” Without waiting for a response, he dashed into the hall.
In the hallway, Cassandra, Stephen, and Grandfather Alexander were sitting. Hearing his footsteps, all three turned to look at Jack.
Jack glanced at the trio. He’d seen Stephen most often lately, followed by Grandfather. He hadn’t seen Cassandra in ages – she remained quiet and graceful with a special charm.
After his father went missing, she suffered a mental breakdown. “Grandpa, Aunt Stephen, Aunt Cassandra, I have a headache. I’ll go upstairs to get some painkillers and be right back,” he said.
Stephen chuckled. “Groom, busy enough to give you a headache?”
“No, I received several harassing calls last night. My phone rang multiple times, keeping me awake. That’s why my head hurts today.”
“Go ahead, but don’t take too many painkillers. Turn your phone off when you sleep from now on,” Stephanie reminded him.
“Thanks, Aunt Stephenie,” he replied, smiling as he ran upstairs.
However, instead of taking medicine, Jack dialed a number and asked for the delivery line of that KFC he’d passed earlier.
He was desperate to know what had happened there today.
“Hello, how may I assist you?” the operator answered.
“I’d like to order a delivery.”
“Certainly, sir. What would you like to order?”
“Do you have any freshly fried chicken wings?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I’ll have five of those. What do you have that’s suitable for kids?”
“Egg tarts, corn, and various porridges are all suitable.”
“I’m buying for a four-year-old,” he said patiently, hoping to get news about Alison and the kids.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” the woman on the phone asked casually.
“Twins – a boy and a girl,” he replied.
“Oh, sir, you’re so blessed to have twins! Actually, a pair came to our store today too, but unfortunately…” The operator trailed off mid-sentence.
She sighed heavily. “What bad luck. Which flavour would you like, sir?”
“What happened?” he asked, feeling uneasy.
“Nothing,” the girl chuckled.
The shop required strict control over such matters. As the customers hadn’t reported it to the police or attracted media attention, the staff couldn’t spread the word either – it would damage business.
No matter how much Jack pressed her, he couldn’t get her to say any more. He simply ordered a few items to be delivered to the ancestral home and hung up.
Although he hadn’t learned anything, the unease lingered in his mind.
He went downstairs.
“Jack, dinner’s ready. We’ve been waiting for you,” Stephen greeted him with a smile.
“Thank you, Aunt Stephen,” he replied.
Aimée sat to his left and his mother to his right, sandwiching him between them and making him feel uncomfortable.
Dinner was served, the table laden with exquisite dishes, including some of Stephanie’s favourites – clearly a special arrangement by Grandfather.
Cassandra ate in silence, taking small bites. Since he had entered, she hadn’t uttered a word.
It was the rule in the Winston family – no speaking during meals.
This kind of silence made Jack uneasy.
He recalled dining with Alison and the kids – she would always share food with him, and the kids would chat happily.