Chapter 19: Leaving with Her
"Excuse me, that's my luggage," she said softly.
Hearing the voice, the woman walked into the bedroom and turned on the light. The sudden brightness made Alison turn her head. She steadied herself and said quietly, "I'm the housekeeper here."
The woman questioned, "Jack, why is your housekeeper sleeping in your bed?"
Alison's body trembled at the words. She struggled to get out of bed, leaning against the wall as she made her way to the door.
"I'm really sorry, I wasn't feeling well and accidentally fell asleep there."
"How could you sleep in Jack's bed? Get out, now!" The woman waved her hands as if trying to shoo away bad luck.
At that moment, Jack appeared at the bedroom door. He glanced at Alison nonchalantly and then said to the woman, "There are fresh sheets in the left cabinet. Just change them."
"Alright." The woman seemed to want to say more, but Jack's words stopped her.
He must think Alison is dirty, so he wants the sheets changed.
Alison forced herself to walk past the woman, around Jack, and finally out of the bedroom.
With her head down and her hand clutching her chest, she slowly made her way to the couch and softly said to Mr. Winston, "My lease ended, can I stay here for just one night? I promise I won't disturb you and this lady."
"No way," the woman said, clearly displeased. She and Jack were on a date, and the sudden appearance of another woman, especially a housekeeper, was an eyesore. They were enjoying their private time, free to do whatever they wanted.
Alison didn't dare look up, let alone glance at Jack. She was terrified of seeing disdain in his eyes.
Maybe the thug she encountered on the street last night was sent by the person who had been secretly photographing her, just to harass her.
Ha, their goal was to leave her with no choice but to return to Jack.
Now, they got what they wanted because she really had come back.
Suddenly, the air became so quiet that even breathing could be heard clearly.
Jack's familiar cologne wafted over, but it no longer stirred any feelings in her heart, only pain and helplessness.
Would he kick me out?
Would he really?
If he did, I'd have to spend another night on the rooftop. I'm so exhausted that even walking a few steps is tiring, let alone finding another place to stay. Besides, I have nowhere else to go.
It's been three days now, and every night he brings a different woman home.
It's like he's showing off, reminding her that he has plenty of women around him.
To him, she means nothing.
Her heart was in turmoil, waiting for him to say something.
Her chest hurt terribly, and she shivered from the cold.
She knew she had a fever.
"Jack, say something, make her leave. I don't want to see her," the girl pleaded sweetly with Jack, clearly not wanting Alison around.
It's time to go.
It seemed she had no choice but to leave.
His silence was his way of telling her to "get lost" again.
She forced a smile, trying to give it to him and the apartment.
Her heart wouldn't be easily hurt again because it had already been shattered since she moved into this apartment.
She walked barefoot, her steps light and ghostly.
Jack stood there, unchanged.
"Jack, you're so good." Seeing Alison walk towards the door, the woman finally breathed a sigh of relief and immediately wrapped her arms around Jack's neck. "Jack, hold me."
So impatient. She hadn't even left yet, and this woman was already eager for Jack's embrace.
If she didn't have to hold her chest, she would have covered her ears.
No one cared if she left.
Jack didn't follow her out or say a word to stop her.
She walked barefoot on the cold hallway floor, each step feeling like she was treading on cotton, unable to muster any strength.
She couldn't walk anymore. Even the elevator a short distance away felt like it was miles away.
But she still wanted to go to the rooftop, where the stars, the moon, and the city lights could keep her company through the long night.
Tonight was just like the night Leah came.
Except tonight, she was hurt and had a fever.
And the woman in the apartment wasn't Leah, but someone she didn't know.
But what did it matter?
He let her leave his life, never wanting her back.
She shamelessly insisted on coming back.
After being kicked out, she came back again. What did that make her?
She didn't need him to say it; she already felt humiliated.
Her chest not only ached, but she could feel the bandage sticking to her skin through her clothes.
The wound was bleeding again.
She remembered she hadn't taken the medicine the doctor gave her when she was discharged.
Not just the medicine, she hadn't eaten anything all day.
Alison didn't know how she made it to the rooftop. When she saw the twinkling stars, she realized that the only companions she had now were the stars and the moon.
Jackson, if he knew how miserable she was after leaving him, would he laugh at her for being so foolish?
But she really was foolish.
She shivered from the cold.
Not wanting to sit down, she leaned against the cold wall, looking up at the night sky.
She had slept all day and wasn't sleepy at all.
She didn't know when that woman would leave or if she could ever return to that apartment.
Because Jack would definitely kick her out.
Coming back wasn't easy.
She smiled bitterly but still came back.
She counted the stars, feeling time slip through her fingers like sand, moving so slowly that it seemed the night would never end.
Her body grew weaker, and she slowly slid down the cold floor.
Her palms were sweaty, her forehead burning, but her body felt freezing.
At that moment, her mind was filled with thoughts of Jackson.
She remembered his tenderness, how he cherished and adored her.
That day, he didn't take advantage of her.
But now, it was too late for regrets.
She left him, and Jackson must hate her now.
She smiled bitterly, hoping the last few days of these three months would pass quickly.
But how could that be?
The fever and pain made her head spin.
The stars blurred, and the moon seemed to spin like a top before her eyes.
She tried to stay awake, but her consciousness was slipping away.
The wind blew through her thin clothes. Though it was summer, the cold in her heart made her body feel icy.
Because the cold was in her heart, a heart that could never be warmed again.
It seemed like footsteps were approaching.
Ha, it must be a dream. Her prince charming only existed in her dreams.
The footsteps came closer.
She tried to lift her head, mumbling, "Jackson, don't come, don't come." She didn't want him to see her in such a pathetic state, so embarrassing, so helpless.
"Jackson..." she kept calling unconsciously, and suddenly a light shone in her eyes, making her close them.
A hand touched her forehead, "Shit, if you're going to die, don't do it in my apartment building."
With a low growl, she was lifted up securely.
She smelled a faint, refreshing cologne.