Chapter 227: Grimacing
After getting out of the car, Alison linked her arm through Jack’s and walked toward the gate.
As they stood before the door, Alison felt uneasy.
“Take a deep breath. Relax. Trust me. With me here, they won’t give you any trouble.” Jack reassured her with a smile, tightening his grip on her hand.
“Mr. Jack, please come in. Mr. Rock and Mr. Aidan also returned.” The gatekeeper glanced at Alison, opening his mouth as if wanting to say something, then swallowed it down.
“Are the kids inside?” she asked.
“Yes, they are.”
“Tell them Alison and I are here,” Jack instructed.
The gatekeeper nodded and went to dial the house phone.
Just a few steps out, the glass doors swung open.
Sophia and Ethan came running toward Alison. “Mommy, Daddy, you’re finally back! We missed you so much!”
This seemed to catch Alison off guard—their joy was so unguarded it softened her heart.
She bent down to pick up Sophia. “Tell Mommy when did you get here?”
“The day before yesterday. Grandma brought us over. She is so nice! She said that Mommy and Daddy would come see us as soon as they got back,” Sophia chattered, clearly delighted by the new bond.
“And Great-Grandpa! Mommy, he played with me today!” Ethan added.
“What?” Alison asked.
“Checkers! I won six games in a row!” Ethan exclaimed.
Alison frowned. “Ethan, Great-Grandpa was just letting you win. Don’t brag too much.”
Ethan stuck out his tongue. “Why would Great-Grandpa let me win?”
“Because he loves you and wants to make you happy,” she told him with a smile, feeling a weight lift from her heart.
As Alison carried Sophia and Jack held Ethan’s hand, the family of four entered the hall.
Every member of the Winston family was gathered.
“Great-Grandpa, Mommy, and Daddy are here!” Sophia slid down from Alison’s arms and ran straight to Alexander, clinging to him.
Jack pulled Alison toward Alexander. “Grandpa, this is Alison.”
“Sit down.” He didn’t look at them, his gaze fixed on Sophia as he lifted her onto his lap.
Jack stared grimly, his jaw tightening.
Alison didn’t sit down. Instead, she and Jack first greeted Cassandra and Stephen, and then Isabella.
“Jack, have you eaten?” Isabella asked with concern.
“Yes,” Jack replied.
“Then sit down. It’s rare to have everyone here today. Chat with Aidan and Rock. Your grandfather hopes to push YD into the world’s top 100 within three years,” Cassandra said.
Alison sat quietly beside Jack.
Aidan’s gaze fixed on their clasped hands, his expression darkening.
“Rock, how about treating us to a piece? Let us enjoy the brilliance of our Winston family’s top pianist,” Cassandra suggested.
“Sure. What would you like to hear, Isabella?” Rock agreed with a smile, looking relaxed.
“As you like,” Isabella replied.
Rock rose. As he passed Alison, his gaze lingered a heartbeat too long before he walked toward the piano in the hall.
He lifted the lid and touched the keys with his slender fingers. Beautiful music flowed forth.
It was a wonderful evening, far better than Alison had anticipated.
After the song ended, Rock turned his head and smiled at Alison. “I heard Miss Fairchild can sing. Is that true?”
“Just a little,” she replied, feeling uncomfortable with Rock’s sudden attention.
“Grandpa, would you like ‘My Sun’?” Jack suggested.
“Yes!” Alexander perked up.
“Miss Fairchild, I’ll play the piano. The singing is all yours.” Before she could respond, Rock’s fingers settled on the piano keys.
Soon, the hall echoed with the beautiful melody.
Alison cleared her throat and began singing along with the piano.
Time slipped away amidst the music, making for a truly lovely evening.
People left the hall, leaving only the children and Isabella behind.
“Jack, look! It’s late, and the children are tired. Why don’t you stay the night?” Isabella said.
Jack turned to Alison. “Why don’t we stay?”
Seeing his mother tacitly acknowledge his relationship with Alison, he felt a surge of joy.
Alison looked at Jack’s happy smile and nodded, though her unease lingered.
“Mommy, I want to sleep with you!” Ethan exclaimed.