Chapter 187: Vanished Without a Trace (Part 2)
Everything had changed beyond Alison’s control.
She looked up at Aidan, her face filled with apology. “Aidan, please go back first. Change your clothes and pick me up later, OK?”
She craved a moment alone to process this agony.
Today, she had to stay clear-headed. Even if she hadn’t slept, she still had to face Jack’s wedding rationally.
Aimée had insisted on marrying Jack, and Sophia’s disappearance was probably a threat from her.
Aimée might force her to persuade Jack to go through with the wedding.
Sophia’s safety mattered more than this wedding.
“Aidan, are you really determined to go?” Aidan asked.
“Yes, Aidan, I have to go,” she murmured, trembling. Her eyes were already blurred with tears.
“Aidan, what’s wrong?” Aidan rushed forward.
Alison bit her lip, forcing herself to stay lucid, and gently pushed him away. “Aidan, I’m sorry. My heart already belongs to someone else, so I can’t give you anything. I only hope you can help me.”
“Aidan, stop talking. Go and rest.” He no longer sought her consent. He couldn’t bear to watch her torment herself, afraid that she might collapse.
Whatever she had just said, he didn’t want to dwell on it. He liked her and didn’t care about her past, even though she had always pushed him away.
As she was lifted, a fleeting thought crossed her mind: Jack and Aidan were so similar in certain ways — appearances and personalities.
She secretly fantasized it was Jack, but deep down she knew it would be unfair to Aidan.
“Aidan, please step out. Ask the nanny to make me some porridge. Thank you,” she murmured.
“Alright.” He understood and could only leave silently.
Their relationship wasn’t deep enough for him to care for her — that was their boundary.
Alison prayed silently: Sophia, you must stay strong. Mummy will come for you. Mummy will never give up.
After resting briefly, her strength returned. She rose unsteadily and made her way to the dining room.
On the table, the porridge had been prepared.
In the next room, the nanny was soothing Ethan, who had slept restlessly after a night of nightmares.
Alison ate the porridge, and tears fell from her face.
Sophia’s usual spot was empty across the table. She had been missing all night, without a trace.
Alison had to rally to attend the wedding.
Though she tasted nothing, she forced down two small bowls of porridge.
Then she went into the bathroom, wanting to wash away the sticky feeling and bad luck. She hoped Sophia would come back to her today.
She dressed meticulously, determined to look her best for his wedding.
She slipped into a pink gown.
Her short hair had grown longer. The ends fell perfectly to her shoulders. This medium length suited her exceptionally well.
Everything was ready.
When Aidan arrived, he was struck by her transformation — she seemed to have blossomed overnight.
“Alison, are we ready to go?”
Alison nodded. “Yes, let’s go.”
She took his arm — today, she had to appear before Jack like this, as Aimée had requested.
Just as they were about to step over the threshold, Ethan’s voice suddenly echoed behind them. “Mummy, where are you going?”
“Mummy’s going to be a bridesmaid,” she replied with a smile.
“But Mummy, the kids say married women can’t be bridesmaids. Why can you?” Ethan asked.
She chuckled and explained, “That’s because Mummy isn’t married yet.” She crouched down and stroked Ethan’s cheek. “Ethan, don’t go out. Stay home and wait for your sister. She might be back soon. If you’re not here when she gets back, she’ll cry.”