Chapter 262: He Won't Die
"Jack..." Alison called out, then rushed out of the room.
"Mommy, where are you going? Daddy said we should have dinner together. He won't be back until late," Ethan said.
"Good boy, eat with your sister. Mommy's just stepping out for a bit. I'll be back soon," she said while slipping on her flats.
"Mom, come back soon, okay? We'll miss you," Sophia added.
"Okay, sweetie." She reached out to touch the faces of the kids. "Go play in the toy room. Mommy will really be back soon."
Then, she hurried out of the room.
Her heart filled with panic as she ran.
Why had he left so abruptly?
What was in that text message?
"Sir, please hurry and follow the car in front of us. Keep the distance." Alison rolled down the window.
Soon, the scent of the sea washed over her.
"Miss, that car stopped," the driver reminded Alison, snapping her out of her panic.
He parked several hundred meters away from Jack's vehicle.
"How much?"
The driver handed her the meter receipt.
She paid without hesitation.
"Thank you."
As soon as she got out, Alison hid behind a tree. She leaned against its trunk and could only watch from afar.
He was striding toward a yacht moored in the bay.
He might have just met a client. This thought eased her mind.
Yet, she still felt uneasy.
Was he investigating what happened all those years ago?
Once that thought took root in her mind, she was anxious.
What were they talking about? Why hadn't it ended yet?
Night had fallen, and the streetlights along the coast lit up slowly.
The sound of the waves echoed, making her breathing feel heavy.
His parting words echoed in her mind, each syllable like a wave crashing against her chest.
She walked on, finding someone patrolling near the yacht.
Her heart raced. She couldn't get any closer, or she would risk exposure.
Alison scanned her surroundings and spotted a girl selling flowers by the shore.
She approached the girl.
The girl instinctively stepped forward to offer the roses. "Miss, buy a rose for your boyfriend."
Alison replied, "Sure."
She took the flower and pulled the girl onto a bench.
"How old are you?" she asked.
"Seven," the girl answered with a smile.
"So young."
Alison felt a pang of sympathy for her. Then, she added, "I'll buy all your flowers, but I have one condition."
The girl jumped up excitedly. "Oh, yeah! Thank you, miss! What's the condition? Just say it."
"Talk to me until I don't feel like talking anymore, but no longer than an hour."
"Sure!" the girl agreed.
The girl set a natural shield for Alison.
Several men passed by, glancing her way without stopping. Alison kept her hat brim pulled low. With nightfall, they couldn't make out her features.
Alison chatted casually with the girl, occasionally stealing glances at the yacht.
Anxiety began to gnaw at Alison. Could they really be discussing business? It shouldn't take this long.
After sitting for a while, the girl asked, "Miss, do you have children?" Alison replied, "Yes, I do."
Yet her gaze drifted instinctively toward the yacht.
Suddenly, she saw that Jack's two assistants seemed to be shoved onto the deck.
Alison sprang to her feet and grabbed the girl's hand.
Though she tried to steady herself, she quickened her pace. "Come walk with me along the shore, okay?"