Chapter 231: A Life Worse Than Death
“Money isn’t everything. You can’t buy happiness,” Alison snarled, unable to bear Isabella’s humiliation.
Isabella seethed — marrying into the Winston family had never brought her happiness, only loneliness and resentment.
She lashed out at Alison with a slap, but missed, her palm striking the doorframe instead with a dull, painful thud.
A dull thud echoed as she clutched her forehead, wincing. “Alison, how dare you dodge?”
“Isabella, am I supposed to just stand here and let you hit me?” Alison’s patience finally snapped; the last trace of restraint vanished from her voice.
“You—” Isabella raised her hand again, but a voice sliced through the tension.
“Mom, it’s barely dawn! Why are you shouting?”
“Jack…”
“Why didn’t you sleep in?” Jack’s gaze softened when it landed on Alison — that gentle look made her heart tighten, the words dying on her tongue.
Don’t ruin his mood… not now.
“Jack, I’ve had enough sleep,” Alison answered softly.
Jack approached her. “Aren’t you used to the new place?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” She nodded. “Jack, are you going out?”
“Yes. I have something urgent to attend to.”
He turned to Isabella. “Mom, after breakfast, have Alison take Sophia and Ethan back. Those two little ones are too noisy. We can’t have them giving Grandpa a heart attack.”
“Well, that depends on whether Miss Fairchild is willing. The kids can stay with me. Grandpa adores them.”
Just as Jack was about to speak, his phone began ringing. He glanced at the screen, sighed, and told Alison, “Drive safely taking the kids back. Call me if anything comes up, understand?”
“Got it.” She watched his tall frame disappear down the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing in her chest like fading warmth.
Jack was gone, and Isabella followed.
“Isabella…” Alison called after her.
“What is it?” Isabella asked coldly, without even turning around.
“I want to take Sophia and Ethan back after breakfast.”
“Go if you want. But please, don’t ever set your sights on a Winston man again. I won’t hand the kids over to you. They can’t have a shameless mother like you.”
Alison caught up and grabbed her sleeve. “Where are my children? I need to see them,” her voice cracked, hoarse with desperation.
Isabella shook off Alison’s hand, her tone turning venomous. “Get away! Having a loose mother like you is bad luck for the children. I don’t want to see you.”
Alison took a deep breath to stop herself from breaking. “As a mother, how would you feel if someone took Jack away from you?”
“I didn’t take your children. Until the DNA test results are in, you can’t see them.”
“Did you have a DNA test done?”
“Yes. I need to confirm that Sophia and Ethan are truly Winston blood — not Aidan’s, not Rock’s.”
“You…” Alison staggered back, her face draining of color. She never imagined that Isabella would be so cruel.
“I just don’t want my son to continue being disgraced. I want to protect my grandchildren. As for you, you’d better disappear from my sight.”
Her children were Alison’s bottom line. She sprinted down the hallway, flinging open door after door, calling their names until her voice cracked.
“Alison, don’t waste your breath.”
Alison collapsed against the wall and slid to the floor, her body trembling. She sat for a long time until her legs went numb.
A maid approached. “Miss Fairchild, this outfit is for you and…and this.” She handed Alison a set of clothes and a check for $1.2 million — blood money disguised as charity.
She flicked her hand, sending the check and clothes sliding to the floor.
“Miss Fairchild, you—” The maid hesitated, her words caught in her throat.
“Tell her… I’ll sue her for stealing my children.”
Staggering to her feet, she grabbed her phone and swayed toward the stairs.
“Mrs. Winston says if you leave, never come back, Miss Fairchild,” the maid’s voice trembled.
Alison froze mid-step. Never come back?
A bitter smile touched her lips. Fine. But I’ll take back what’s mine — even if it kills me.