Chapter 257: Hate and Love Entwined
Security scrambled into motion, blindsided by the sudden chaos.
Questions swirled through the corridors, whispers chasing after them — only time would expose the truth.
Instinctively, Alison pressed closer to Jack, clinging to the one man she could no longer trust.
Surrounded by security, Jack pushed through the crowd and finally got her into the car.
“Alison, rest. Stop worrying,” he said softly.
She nodded faintly and curled up in silence, eyes squeezed shut like a frightened child.
But the image of that IV notebook burned behind her eyelids — the German label, the cruel truth — he had taken their child himself.
Lost in those thoughts, she barely noticed when the car stopped.
“Alison, wake up,” Jack murmured. “We’re home. I’ll carry you up.”
She opened her eyes. The world blurred — and the fury she’d buried erupted without warning.
“Don’t touch me!” she snapped, shoving at him and reaching for the door handle.
“Don’t open that — you’ll catch cold!” He caught her wrist before she could move.
“Be good. Wrap the blanket around you, and I’ll carry you,” he coaxed, voice low.
“Don’t you dare carry me! I can walk myself!” She fought him, rage flaring as she remembered his drunken whisper of Emily and the child she’d lost because of him.
She struggled wildly, his scent closing in around her — suffocating.
“Alison, what’s wrong with you?” Jack asked, tightening his hold.
“Let me go!” she screamed, thrashing.
“Then tell me why! What’s this about?”
“You know exactly why!” she cried, sinking her teeth hard into his arm.
Jack winced but didn’t flinch. “If it’s the baby that’s tearing you apart,” he said quietly, “then bite me. Take it out on me.”
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks, dripping onto his arm — salt and blood mixing together.
Jack stayed silent, letting her sob and rage, bearing it all.
Finally, she went limp, her teeth releasing him.
The air hung heavy with the copper scent of blood and heartbreak.
Even through the hatred, she knew she couldn’t let him go. Hate and love — twisted, choking, inseparable.
“You should leave me now,” she whispered hoarsely. “Because if you don’t… you’ll never get rid of me.”
He gave a small, aching smile. “Silly girl… I’m not going anywhere.” He tapped her nose lightly. “Still angry? Then bite the other shoulder too.”
Then softly, “Let’s go home.”
He pulled the blanket over her trembling body and lifted her once more.
Under the blanket’s dim cocoon, the world blurred into muffled noise. I just want to disappear.
Their home was no longer a refuge — everything between her and Jack was now public.
Her mind spun wildly. Who leaked it? Who wanted to destroy us like this?
“We’re home,” he whispered near her ear.
Moments later, he laid her gently on the bed.
His touch was careful, but pain tore through her abdomen, forcing a low groan from her lips.
“Does it hurt?” he asked quickly.
She clenched her jaw, refusing to answer, refusing to show weakness.
“Alison, let me check—”
He lifted the blanket; the rush of air made her gasp.
She cried out in panic. “No—don’t!”
“Blood—God, there’s so much blood! Call the doctor, now!” Jack’s voice broke into a roar.
As his voice echoed, Alison reached trembling fingers toward her side — her hand came away slick and red.