Chapter 250: A Radiant Smile (Part 2)
“Alison, what’s wrong?” Aidan asked, alarmed, turning immediately to the nurse. “Go check on her.”
Alison bolted for the restroom, barely making it before she retched violently over the sink.
The nurse hurried after her, patting her back. “Miss Fairchild, did you eat something bad?”
“I don’t know… Did Mr. Winston feel sick too?” Alison asked weakly — she’d eaten the exact same meal as him.
“No, he’s perfectly fine,” the nurse said.
A sudden jolt shot through her — Am I pregnant?
She spun on her heel and dashed out of the restroom.
“Miss Fairchild, wait — you—!” the nurse called after her.
“Look after Mr. Winston. I’ll be back soon,” Alison said quickly over her shoulder.
She scolded herself silently — How could I be so slow to notice this?
Anxiety, embarrassment, and a secret spark of joy all tangled inside her.
Meanwhile, Jack sat on a hospital bench, finishing his cigarette. The bodyguard approached, handing him a newspaper. “Mr. Aidan lost his temper after seeing this.”
Jack unfolded it — a glossy photo of him and Alison on the hospital lawn, Sophia and Ethan climbing nearby. The date stamped beneath it was the same day Aidan had woken.
His jaw tightened. He crushed the paper in his fist and threw it into the trash.
“Keep an eye on Aidan. Make sure neither of them gets hurt,” Jack said, rising.
“Understood, sir.”
Jack strode toward his Lamborghini. “Driver, get out,” he ordered.
The driver blinked. “Sir?”
“Out,” Jack repeated sharply.
Elsewhere, Alison slipped into the OB/GYN restroom, clutching a pregnancy test. When the two faint pink lines appeared, her hands trembled. It wasn’t her first time — yet the thrill hit her just as hard.
Two lines. Pregnant. It was real.
She wanted to tell Jack — right now — but when she rushed to the corridor window, his car was already gone.
He hadn’t even come upstairs to say goodbye.
Her heart sank. Feeling suddenly empty, she turned back toward Aidan’s ward.
The room was too quiet.
Thinking it empty, she slammed the door in frustration — the sound cracked through the stillness.
She stepped in — and froze. Aidan sat there in his wheelchair, watching her.
“Alison, what’s wrong? Why slam the door? Are you upset?”
“No,” she said flatly.
“Then come eat,” he said quietly.
His sudden cheerfulness felt strange, but she said nothing.
After they finished eating, his mood turned heavy again.
When she tried to help him lie down, he refused her touch.
The change unsettled her.
“Aidan, what’s wrong?” she asked gently.
Her question snapped something in him.
“You don’t love me, do you?” he burst out. “Is it another man?”
His face twisted with jealousy. Alison’s patience broke. “Yes.”
The color drained from his face.
“I’m tired, Aidan. I’m going to rest,” she said quickly, afraid he might lose control.
She lay down beside the window, her mind restless. I’ll leave tonight, she told herself. I promised Jack I’d come to the apartment.
When dusk deepened outside the window, Alison sat up and turned toward him.
“Alison, what’s the matter?” Aidan asked, sensing her movement.
“Sophia and Ethan aren’t feeling well,” she said softly. “I want to go home tonight to stay with them.”
“Oh… All right,” he said after a pause. “Go ahead.”
Alison smiled in relief and slipped out of bed. “I’ll bring you some chicken soup tomorrow morning.”
“Okay,” Aidan said, his voice unexpectedly tender. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“You’re welcome. I really miss the kids,” she said, her eyes softening.
“Then go,” he replied quietly.
“But your illness hasn’t healed completely yet,” Alison said, concerned.
“But you’re still recovering,” she said, hesitating at the door.