Chapter 228: A Secret Smile
“Ethan, you and Sophia can sleep with Grandma,” Isabella coaxed.
“No, I want to sleep with Mommy,” Sophia protested, clinging to Alison’s leg.
“Sophia, you’re a big girl now. You shouldn’t sleep with Daddy and Mommy anymore,” Isabella said, coaxing the children gently but firmly.
Jack said, “Then sleep with Grandma. Be good, okay?”
“Okay.”
Still pouting a little, the children finally followed Isabella to bed.
“Grandma, tell me the story.”
“All right.”
Jack watched the children follow Isabella into the bedroom. Finally, he took Alison’s hand and led her to his room in the ancestral home.
As soon as they entered, he turned her to face him. “Alison, I told you my mother wouldn’t harm the children. Can you relax now?”
She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Jack, what about tomorrow? I want to go home with the kids.”
“All right, I’ll talk to Mom tomorrow morning.”
He gently ruffled her hair. “Honestly, my mom’s a good person. Alison, please try to talk to her more, okay?”
She nodded.
He kissed her forehead, then scooped her up and carried her toward the bathroom. “Let’s take a shower together.”
“No, I can’t sleep in your room. It’d be so awkward if someone found out.”
“All right, then. I’ll take you to the guest room.”
“I’ll go then.” She started to leave the room.
“Wait.” He called after her.
“Hmm?” she asked, turning back.
“Alison, there’s something I want to show you.” He gestured for her to sit on the bed while he walked over to a nearby table.
Alison watched his back, wondering what he was up to.
“Jack, what is it?”
He hid it behind his back and walked over with a smile. “Alison, close your eyes.”
She obediently did, then she felt her left hand being lifted. Before she could process what was happening, a cool object slipped onto her ring finger.
“Jack…”
“Alison, I’m putting a ring on it,” he whispered.
“But I—” She hadn’t expected this and was caught off guard.
Another object was placed in her palm.
She clasped it, opened her eyes, and spread her palm.
A ring sparkled under the lamp’s glow.
It was clearly a pair with the ring on her ring finger.
She took his hand and slipped the slightly larger ring onto his left ring finger.
“Alison, these rings are cheap. Will you mind it?” he asked.
She smiled. “Of course not. All I care about is you.”
“Alison…” He kissed her.
“Mmm…” His kiss came so suddenly that it caught her off guard. “Jack, no.”
He released her lips reluctantly and said, “Help me apply the ointment.”
“Oh dear, I forgot it! Jack, I’m sorry. I should have treated this sooner. Does it hurt?”
He lay before her. “Just blow on it, and it’ll stop hurting.”
“Don’t be silly. Where’s the medicine?” she asked, lifting his shirt to reveal a red swelling on his abdomen.
He pointed to the cabinet beside him. “There. Bottom shelf.”
She rose and hurried to fetch the medicine. “Jack, please don’t fight anymore, okay?”
“But I like it,” he replied, hiding a smile.
“Jack, for me and the kids, don’t fight anymore, okay?”
He continued with a sly grin, “I love seeing you worry about me.”
She stared at him sternly. “Lie still. I’m applying the medicine.”
“Alison, you look awful with that stern face.”
She tried to hold it in, but finally chuckled.