Chapter 192: Just Fine (Part 1)
Jack grabbed Aimée’s arm and lunged for her handbag, ignoring her struggles.
“Jack, give it back! What are you doing?” Aimée panicked.
“Give me the phone!” Jack commanded coldly. Images of Alison and Aidan together filled his mind, tearing his heart apart.
“No!” Aimée resisted.
“Aimée, are you hiding something?” Jack became more uneasy.
Aimée came up with a way to turn the tables.
“Jack, you’re misunderstanding me. I know Alison is on your mind. I just wanted her to come and see you to clear things up. But… but…”
“But what? Tell me!” Jack was growing impatient, desperate to know if Alison was willing to see him.
Aimée reacted quickly. “I talked Alison into it for a long time. She didn’t agree outright, but she softened a little. Still, I was afraid it might affect the wedding, so I ended the call and didn’t press further.”
Jack’s grip loosened. “Aimée, did you really try to persuade Alison for my sake?”
“Of course I did. Want me to try again?” Aimée asked coyly. She thought it would be better to do Jack a favour first.
A flicker of hope crossed Jack’s face. “Aimée, call her now. I’ll wait here for your good news.”
“Alright.” Aimée agreed readily.
She knew that Alison would persuade Jack to marry her for Sophia’s sake.
At that moment, Alison was leading Ethan towards the restroom.
Ethan asked, “Mummy, what’s wrong? Who was that on the phone just now?”
“Ethan, don’t ask about grown-up matters. Mummy will find a way to bring Sophia back.” Alison felt a headache coming on. What she dreaded most now was Jack’s gaze, which made her feel guilty.
Seeing Alison’s silence, Ethan asked, “Mummy, are you really sad? Did Daddy change his mind? Is that why you moved me and my sister away, and why you’re unhappy every day?”
“No, Mummy isn’t sad,” Alison forced a smile.
She quickly scanned her surroundings. Thankfully, the restroom was empty.
She looked at Ethan sternly. “Ethan, have you forgotten everything I told you?”
She couldn’t let him speak so carelessly anymore.
Ethan replied, “No, I remember that. If I talk too much, I won’t get to see Sophia. But now that no one else is here, Mummy. Is Daddy really going to marry Aunt Aimée and leave us behind?”
He had to get to the bottom of it.
Alison crouched down and kissed Ethan’s cheek. “Ethan, it’s not like that. Daddy still has room in his heart for Mummy, for you, and for Sophia. Daddy didn’t mean to do this. Mummy won’t let you say bad things about Daddy anymore.”
Ethan blinked his big eyes, still feeling a little uneasy. “Will Daddy still marry Aunt Aimée?”
Alison stroked Ethan’s head. “Ethan, Mummy doesn’t know for sure about these things either. Mummy can only do my best. When we go back to the hall later, be good and don’t talk too much, okay?”
Ethan nodded. “Okay.”
He knew that his mother was working hard for Sophia. He’d heard her talking on the phone about Sophia. Seeing her sad and anxious expression, Ethan knew he couldn’t push her any further.
“Mummy, I’m going to the toilet. Wait here for me.”
Just as he started running towards the men’s restroom, Alison called out, “Ethan, would you like Mummy to take you to the ladies’ instead?”
“No,” Ethan refused.
“Ethan, go to the ladies’ room. Mummy doesn’t want you out of my sight.” Alison was deeply worried.
“Mummy, I’m a big boy. I can’t use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.” With that, Ethan dashed into the men’s restroom.
Alison stood anxiously outside the door, her eyes fixed on the entrance, terrified that Ethan might be taken away.
Just then, Aimée’s call came through.
Alison answered, gazing at the men’s room. “Aimée, what is it?”
“Jack is with me. Why don’t you talk with him?” Aimée stated her purpose.
Alison instantly understood — by arranging this meeting, Aimée was trying to curry favour with Jack.
“All right, tell him to meet me in the restroom. I’ll wait for him.” Her eyes darted towards the restroom entrance, her heart racing with anxiety. Why wasn’t Ethan coming out yet?
Jack’s arrival might help — he could go into the men’s room and keep an eye on Ethan.
She pleaded silently, Jack, please hurry.
Aimée raised her voice so that Jack could hear. “All right, I’ll have Jack come over right now. Alison, you need to talk to him properly. Don’t make him angry, okay?”