Chapter 237: Don’t Get Hooked (Part 1)
Alison explained to the nurse, “Sorry. She’s been ill for years, and just as she was getting better, this happened.”
As soon as Alison finished speaking, the nurse muttered, “What a shameless thing to say,” her tone cutting.
Alison frowned, confused as to why the nurse said that.
Without glancing at Alison, the nurse instructed the driver, “Pull over at the next intersection. This young lady needs to get off.”
Alison froze. “Why do I have to get off?”
The nurse sneered, “Shame on you. How dare you ride in a married couple’s ambulance as a mistress? Don’t you feel any shame?”
Only then did Alison realize that the nurse had mistaken her for the mistress. Her throat tightened, but she steadied her voice and explained,
“Mr. Winston is my husband’s brother. There’s nothing between us. Please don’t jump to conclusions.”
The nurse curled her lip and said nothing more, clearly not buying it.
The ambulance finally arrived at the hospital.
Cassandra was carried inside to a ward. Aidan and Aimée were taken into the operating room.
Alison leaned against the wall outside the door, determined to wait until they emerged before leaving.
The top-floor corridor felt cold and sterile; the buzz of the fluorescent lights filled the emptiness.
Just then, Alison’s phone rang.
She picked up, certain that it must be Jack calling.
Bitterness tightened in her chest. If he hadn’t ignored my calls earlier, I would have seen Aimée’s car… Aidan wouldn’t be lying there now.
Glancing at the screen, she saw that it was truly Jack’s number.
Ignoring it, she turned the phone off.
She prayed inside, Aidan, hold on, please.
Time dragged on in an agonizing wait.
At the far end of the corridor, Sylvia and Isabella appeared.
They strode forward. When they spotted Alison, their faces flushed with anger.
“Where’s Aimée? Is she badly hurt?” Isabella asked.
Alison replied, “The doctor said her baby probably won’t make it.”
“Why? Alison, did you do this?” Isabella grew even more agitated.
Alison shifted her body. “Ask her yourselves when she wakes up.”
“Alison, you’re being rude. Just tell us why.”
“Fine. If you insist on that, then I’ll tell you.” Alison gazed at Sylvia coldly.
“Aimée’s child isn’t Jack’s—”
“Shut up! Stop spouting nonsense! I’ll wait until Aimée wakes up.” Sylvia guessed what Alison was about to say. She was confused about how Alison found it out.
“Wait, Sylvia, let her finish. I don’t want to wait.” Isabella sensed that something was amiss.
“Sorry, I have nothing more to say.” Alison finished and walked straight to the window, pushing it open.
Cold air stung her cheeks, easing the pressure in her chest, yet unease for Aidan refused to fade.
At the hospital entrance, a black Lamborghini pulled up.
Seeing the car, Alison’s heart tightened — Jack had arrived.
She hurried toward the balcony across the hall, wanting to avoid him.
She couldn’t face another confrontation—not here, not now.
On the balcony, an older man was smoking. The smoke made her cough instinctively. She covered her nose, yet the smoke seemed to drift deliberately toward her.
“Sir, could you spare me a cigarette?”
The older man was quite generous, handing her one and pulling out a lighter. “You don’t smoke, do you?”
Alison nodded. She didn’t, and the bitter scent already burned her throat.
The old man said earnestly, “Just take a few puffs to relax, but don’t get hooked. This stuff is like drugs—once you start, it’s hard to quit.”
“Thanks, just this one.”
The lighter flared; she took a shaky drag, smoke scraping her lungs as she tried to exhale her panic.
Soon, only the cigarette butt remained. She coughed and inhaled, tears streaming down her face.
Yet she still craved another.
“Could you sell me the rest of your half-pack?”
The old man asked with concern, “Something troubling you, miss?”
Alison forced a smile.
“No, I’m fine. It’s just that a friend got hurt because of me. I feel so guilty and uneasy.”
As she spoke, she brought the cigarette butt to her lips. Her fingers burned, but she ignored them.
Just then, a silhouette fell across the balcony floor and caught her attention.
Alison’s heartbeat raced as he shifted, revealing an arm.
Suddenly, the cigarette clamped between her lips was yanked away, torn from her mouth and hand.