Chapter 186: Vanished Without a Trace (Part 1)
Isabella made an excuse to leave the family estate.
Aimée naturally followed her out.
The moment she got into the car, Isabella asked Aimée, “Are Alison and Aidan really close?”
“I don’t know for sure, but if Aunt Cassandra says so, it must be true,” replied Aimée.
Since Isabella had asked, Aimée decided to fan the flames a bit. With Isabella’s support, she could arrange her wedding to Jack more smoothly.
After leaving the family estate, Jack called Aidan.
Strangely, Aidan didn’t pick up.
Jack tried several more times, but each attempt failed.
What could he possibly be doing? Was he on a date with Alison?
Jack gritted his teeth at the thought.
No, I have to find them.
He’d already checked YD, his own villa, and the gym that Aidan frequented, but there was no sign of him.
There was no choice. He parked outside Aidan’s villa and was determined to wait him out.
The thought of Aidan being with Alison was driving him mad.
Inside the car, he chain-smoked.
A pack of cigarettes was gone in no time, the ashtray already overflowing with butts, yet Aidan still hadn’t returned.
Time seemed to stand still; the night stretched endlessly.
That night, Aidan never returned, while Jack kept watch until dawn.
The first light of dawn began to spread across the horizon, the hazy glow stinging his eyes.
Would she come today? he asked himself.
If she did, he would demand answers from her.
Why had she left without a word? Why was she with Aidan?
His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, yet he had something important to do today.
The moment he saw Alison, he would call off the engagement.
He didn’t care about the pomp of the wedding or his own appearance. He just wanted to see Alison.
Dawn had broken.
He opened his phone, which was filled with frantic calls and texts from Aimée, demanding to know where he was.
He didn’t reply, simply turning his phone off. He had wanted to see if Alison had called, but she hadn’t — not even once.
Jack headed straight for the hotel where the wedding was being held. He arrived early, waiting for Alison — she had truly cast a spell over him, robbing him of all peace.
That night, Alison hadn’t slept either.
After putting Ethan to bed, she sat on the floor, hugging her knees and staring blankly at her phone, but it never rang.
Aidan stayed by her side, watching her uneasily as she sat like a lifeless puppet.
He worried that Sophia’s disappearance might push Alison over the edge. “Alison, sleep for a while,” he urged, wishing he could take her pain upon himself.
Alison shook her head. “Aidan, you should go. Come and pick me up tomorrow morning.”
“Are you going out?” Aidan looked at her in surprise.
“Yes, I’m going out. You’ll accompany me to Jack and Aimée’s wedding tomorrow, Aidan.”
She still missed Jack — the man deeply etched in her heart.
“Alison, I’ll explain to Aimée and Jack. You don’t have to go,” Aidan urged her.
“Aidan, I must keep my word. I promised them. We’ll come together.”
“But what about Sophia? What if she calls during the wedding?”
Sleepless, she had grown gaunt, her face ashen. She hadn’t eaten anything, as if awaiting death, yet she insisted on attending the wedding.
“Aidan, “I’ll take the phone. Go and get my bridesmaid dress,” she panted weakly towards the wardrobe.
Aidan walked over and opened the wardrobe door.
Seeing the beautiful bridesmaid dress, Alison thought: How wonderful it would be if this were my wedding dress.
She gazed at it silently, recalling that utterly romantic moment when Jack knelt and asked her to marry him.