Chapter 196: You Like Me (Part 2)
“Jack, let’s go.” Aimée tugged gently, leading Jack toward the door.
Jack gazed at Alison; his feet felt rooted to the spot.
He wanted to rush forward, hold her tight, and ask if she loved him.
Were all those past wonderful moments a lie?
“Jack, Aunt Isabella was frantic looking for you. Let’s go back.” Aimée’s gentle voice echoed, soothing the turmoil within him.
One step.
Two steps.
He walked past Alison.
She stood quietly with a faint smile. Reading her mind was impossible.
As they brushed past, he felt their hearts beating in perfect unison.
Yet Alison remained motionless.
His gaze followed her retreating steps as she gradually faded from view.
Only his memory lingered—fragments he would never forget.
“Alison, don’t forget—you promised to have a drink with me.” Aimée turned back with a smile.
Her words flowed naturally, reinforcing the belief that it was just a joke.
The crowd dispersed.
Alison stood alone, her heart aching, hollow inside.
Just as she was resisting the idea of returning to face the toasts, Aidan’s voice echoed. “Alison, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Where’s Ethan?”
Her fragile silhouette tugged at his heart. He wrapped his arm around her waist and let her lean against him. “Alison, where’s Ethan?”
“Ah…” Alison snapped back to reality, her gaze instinctively darting toward the direction in which Ethan had run off.
The endless landscape stretched before her eyes—yet she didn’t find Ethan.
“Ethan… Ethan!” she cried out in panic.
Aimée! You bastard!
She gritted her teeth.
She had helped Aimée all along, doing so much against her will to ensure that the marriage went smoothly. Yet Aimée was hell-bent on kidnapping the children.
Alison strode straight toward the hotel lobby.
Aidan followed behind, asking, “Alison, do you know where Ethan is?” He feared Alison might lose her mind.
Alison walked fast, but Aidan caught up to her, grabbed her arm, and demanded, “Alison, where is Ethan?”
He needed to know to feel at ease.
“He’s fine,” she whispered, though she felt Ethan was also in trouble, and Aimée was behind it all.
As she entered the hall, the emcee was announcing Jack and Aimée’s wedding.
Onstage, Aimée stood beside Jack. She looked beautiful and dignified, and her slightly rounded belly seemed to symbolize their happiness.
Why must her happiness be built upon my pain?
Doesn’t she know how it feels for a woman to lose her children?
Alison strode toward the stage, ready to confront Aimée.
“Alison, where are you going?” Aidan was terrified as he watched her stride toward the stage.
“Alison, stop,” he called softly.
Alison glared at Aimée. “You will pay for this, Aimée.”
Her eyes were icy, catching Aimée’s attention.
Seeing Alison storm the stage, Aimée quickly signaled her henchmen lurking.
One of them swiftly blocked Alison’s path. “Ma’am, there are no seats up front. Please take a seat over there.”
“Move aside,” Alison said coldly, trying to brush the man’s hand away.
“Miss Fairchild, this is a wedding. Please return to your seat.”
“Get out of my way! I need to see Aimée!” she growled, her voice carrying clearly throughout the room.
Aimée thought, What happened to her? Why is she losing her mind?
But my wedding was underway. No, I need to talk to Alison. I won’t let my planned wedding go to waste.