Chapter 217: One More Chance to Leave
Seeing Alison link arms with Colton to hail a cab, Jack rushed to stop them. “Let’s go, Alison. Forget him.”
Alison glanced ahead — not a taxi in sight.
“Jack, your car’s around here, right?”
“Alison, want me to drive this man home?”
Alison gave a wry smile.
“Will you?” she asked pleadingly.
“And then?”
“Then we’ll go home together,” she whispered.
Her words soothed the fire in his chest.
“Wait here. I’ll go get the car.”
“Wait, Jack. I don’t want to ride in your car. Alison, get a grip. Stop hanging around this man. His family will never accept you. Do you want to be his mistress?” Colton shouted.
His words stunned Alison.
He was right — given her background, gaining acceptance from the Winston family would be nearly impossible.
“Alison, don’t listen to his nonsense. I promised to make you happy, and I will. This Friday, I’ll take you to my family home,” Jack said.
Suddenly, Colton threw a punch at Jack. “Jack, you’ve already wasted her four years! She’s struggled alone to raise two children. Now you want her to suffer more?”
Jack hadn’t seen the punch coming, grunting as he staggered back. He instinctively blocked, and then the two men were wrestling on the ground.
“Stop!” Alison screamed, clutching her head.
“Thud!” Jack’s fist connected with Colton’s face. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
She wanted to rush in and stop them, but she couldn’t get close.
“Alison, don’t come near! Stay back!” Jack shouted fiercely when he noticed her movement.
“Jack, stop this! If you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again,” Alison yelled.
“He started it.”
“Stop right now!” Alison screamed again.
Bystanders had begun to gather, and she found herself at the center of attention.
“Oh, look — two men fighting over a woman.”
“That woman’s got no shame, tangling with two men at once.”
The harsh words pierced Alison’s ears.
She covered her ears, fleeing from the gossip.
Forget it. Just fight, I’m leaving.
She darted through the crowd.
Jack and Colton noticed her attempt to escape. Both released their grip and gave chase after her.
Just then, a taxi pulled up.
Alison hailed it and climbed inside, her mind in turmoil.
Colton was right — staying with Jack means no hope for my future. But… what else can I do?
The car sped away and soon disappeared into the night.
“Where would you like to go, ma’am?” the driver asked.
She whispered, “Take me to the beach.”
She craved peace — silence, escape, clarity.
“Certainly.”
She wanted to hear the sound of the waves, planning her future there.
Seated in the car, she caught a glimpse of Colton chasing after them in the rearview mirror.
A bitter smile touched her lips.
She texted both of them: [I need space. Don’t contact me.]
Then, she turned off her phone.
The taxi sped toward the coast.
Gradually, she caught the scent of the sea.
“Miss, we’re here.” The driver glanced at Alison, offering a kind warning. “Miss, you’re still young. Don’t do anything foolish.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile as she turned toward the sea.
She slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the soft sand.
She sat quietly for a long time, letting the sound of the waves soothe her heart.
Yet, even after so long, she still felt unsettled.
After sitting for so long, her legs were numb.
At this time, sea met sky, streaks of light pierced the clouds, brimming with promise.
It reminded her of watching one a sunrise with Jack at the volcanic geopark.
She murmured to herself. Maybe I should only trust him.