Chapter 243: Piercing Gaze
“I understand, Alison,” Jack said. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon.”
“Jack, thank you.”
“Silly girl. You should call me honey from now on. My mom’s already approved of us.”
“Jack, not now. At least not in front of Aidan, okay?”
“Yes, my dear,” he teased with a smile.
Walking back from the balcony to the ward, Alison’s steps grew heavy.
She still wasn’t used to him treating her like a lover—but she couldn’t bring herself to hurt him.
She pushed the door open.
The moment she stepped inside, she heard Aidan’s voice.
“Alison, is that you?”
“Aidan, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” Aidan sighed in relief.
“Why didn’t you eat your porridge?” she asked gently.
Aidan shook his head. “I don’t feel like eating.”
“That won’t do. How will you get better if you don’t eat? Still want to go back to YD?”
“Alison, will you be going back too?”
Her heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile. “Of course I will.”
“All right then, I’ll eat. Help me sit up.”
Aidan was growing more dependent on her, and she didn’t know what to do anymore.
Seeing the bandages around his chest and injured leg, she realized even eating had become a struggle.
“Aidan, let me help you.”
Aidan’s face lit up. “Can I? Will it trouble you?”
“Not at all,” she said softly. “I’ve got nowhere else I’d rather be.”
She scooped a spoonful of porridge, blew on it gently, and lifted it to his lips.
Whether from the medication or exhaustion, Aidan soon drifted to sleep.
Jack and the kids should be here soon, she thought, handing Aidan over to the nurse before stepping outside the hospital building.
The air outside was crisp and cool, free from the clinging scent of disinfectant.
She stood by the entrance, eyes fixed on the road, waiting for the familiar gleam of Jack’s black Lamborghini.
Finally, the sleek car appeared.
She waved as two small heads bobbed by the window—Sophia and Ethan.
“Sophia! Ethan!” she called out, joy lighting her face.
The window rolled down, revealing two little faces pressed together, eyes wide with delight.
“Mommy!”
In that moment, warmth surged through her chest, washing away every trace of exhaustion.
Jack pulled over, letting the children run to her while he went to find a parking spot.
“Mommy!” Two pairs of little arms flung around her legs. “Why didn’t you come see us?”
“Sophia, Ethan,” she laughed, crouching to hold them tight. “Mommy’s been busy lately. Your stepdad got sick and had to stay in the hospital, so I’ve been taking care of him.”
Sophia pouted. “Mommy, why didn’t you even call? I missed you so much.”
Alison smiled. “My phone died. But I knew you’d come soon, so I waited.”
Ethan blinked, his small brows furrowed. “Mom, is Godfather’s illness serious?”
Alison nodded. “Yes, it’s pretty serious.”
“Mommy, can we go see him?” the children asked in unison.
She smiled faintly. “Godfather is very brave. He hasn’t cried once. Have you two cried these past two days without Mommy?”
Sophia shook her head. “No.”
Ethan muttered, “Just a little bit.”
Alison ruffled Sophia’s hair. “Now that you’ve seen Mommy’s fine, no more worrying, okay?”
“I’m still worried,” Sophia said. “I don’t like that Mommy’s always with Godfather.”
Alison blinked, startled. “Why?”
Sophia glanced toward the parking lot where Jack was walking back. She whispered,
“Mommy… Daddy looks so lonely.”
Alison chuckled softly. “Lonely? Really?”
“Mommy, what are you laughing at?” Sophia asked curiously.
Seeing Jack approach, Alison stifled her laughter and covered her mouth. “Nothing.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Sophia, what did you say to make Mommy laugh so hard?”
Sophia looked between them and asked, “Mommy, can I tell Daddy that?”
Alison gasped playfully and flopped onto the lawn, hiding her face.
Jack crouched beside her, coaxing, “Sophia, it’s okay. Go on—Mommy wants to hear it too.”
Sophia said seriously, “Daddy, I told Mommy to spend more time with you.”
Jack chuckled. “Good girl. Daddy will buy you ice cream for that.”
“Yay!” Sophia cheered.
“And me, Daddy!” Ethan piped up.
“All right, both of you,” Jack laughed, reaching to ruffle their hair.