Chapter 232: A Sigh (Part 1)
Alison said coldly, her voice trembling with fury, “Tell Isabella — I will take my children back. She has no right to take them away.”
The maid didn’t dare say another word; she only bowed her head, afraid to breathe too loudly.
Alison descended the stairs, her footsteps heavy. Each step felt like sinking into mud.
In the dining room off the hall, Rock and Aidan had just sat down to breakfast.
Spotting Alison, Rock greeted her hesitantly, guilt flickering across his face. “Alison, join us for breakfast.”
She turned to look at the two men, asking sharply, “Rock, did I hit on you?”
“Miss Fairchild, I’m sorry.” Rock’s face crumpled with shame.
Then, Alison turned to Aidan. “Aidan, have I ever hit on you?”
“Alison, what’s going on? You look pale as death,” Aidan said, confused.
“How ridiculous! Aidan, your family took my children away!” She screamed, her anger reaching its peak.
Aidan rose from the dining table, his chair scraping loudly against the floor as he stood and gripped her trembling shoulders.
He asked in a low voice, “Calm down. Tell me. What exactly happened?”
Rock explained, “Last night, strange noises woke me up in the house. I followed the sounds to the guest room, where Miss Fairchild was sleeping. She was having a nightmare, muttering Jack’s name. I tried to wake her—”
He added quickly, “Then Isabella and Grandfather walked in. Grandfather was furious, and Isabella forbade her from seeing the children afterward.”
“That happened? How come I didn’t hear anything?” Aidan asked, frowning in disbelief.
Rock said, “Ever since I came back, I haven’t adjusted to the lifestyle here, so I haven’t been sleeping well. The slightest sound wakes me up.”
“That’s strange. This room never made any noise at night before,” Aidan muttered.
Rock added, “There really was a sound. Many people heard it — me, Isabella, Grandpa, and some of the servants.”
Aidan frowned as something dark and familiar clicked into place in his mind.
“Alison, come with me. I need to talk to you.” He tugged at her sleeve, intending to lead her to his room.
She pulled away, replying coolly, “Tell me here.”
She certainly didn’t want to go with Aidan. Not again. Not another rumor.
“Yes, Aidan, speak here. I can’t control Isabella’s actions, but I won’t stand by while Miss Fairchild suffers for them,” Rock interjected.
Aidan ignored Rock; he looked straight at Alison. “Alison, do you remember that night in Paris?”
“That night? I didn’t do anything. I don’t remember anything!” Alison shook her head, her eyes wide, panic flickering there.
“Let go of me!” she screamed, Why bring that night up now? Why him?
“Alison, if Isabella is targeting you because of that woman, then today I’ll tell you the truth. Maybe it can clear your name,” Aidan said.
The words sent a jolt through Alison — something cold and electric coursed through her veins.
Aidan seemed to be hinting at a massive secret.
She followed him, her feet moving before her mind could stop them.
Behind them, servants whispered like shadows scattering, rushing to deliver the latest scandal.
Aidan pushed open the door, but before he could close it, Alison demanded, “Aidan, what really happened that night? Tell me now!”
She was certain that this matter involved Aimée.
“Alison, sit down and have some water,” Aidan said, his tone gentler now.
“No. The children are gone. Aidan, help me find the children, okay?”
Aidan poured her a glass with shaking hands. “Alison, take a sip of water.”
Alison shook her head fiercely. Without Sophia and Ethan… nothing else matters.
Aidan sighed and hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking. “Alison, that night in Paris, it wasn’t you who had sex with me. It was another woman.”
“Why… why did I wake up in your bed?”
“Someone put you in my bed,” Aidan confessed— his voice low, laced with guilt.
“Who? Aidan, tell me! Who was that woman?” Alison pressed.
“It was… it was…” Aidan started to speak, but Cassandra suddenly pushed open the door.
“Aidan, what are you doing bringing this woman into your room?” Cassandra demanded. “Isabella is furious. She says you’re having an affair with her. Aidan, stop entangling with her!”