Chapter 298: Agonizing Torment (Part 2)
“Mommy, can we go hiking tomorrow? Daddy promised us months ago!” Sophia asked.
Alison felt her feet were almost fully healed.
She nodded. “Yes, we’ll go tomorrow. But you two have to behave — Mommy can’t run as fast as you.”
“Okay, Mom! Can we call Daddy then? I want to hear his voice.” Sophia pleaded.
Alison’s expression suddenly darkened, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
“Mommy, did I say something wrong?” Sophia asked cautiously.
“Mommy, why did you suddenly stop smiling?” Ethan also sensed something was wrong.
“Sorry, Mommy, don’t scare me, okay?” Sophia was almost crying, tears welling up in her eyes.
Then she burst into tears.
The sound of her crying made Alison’s temples ache.
She held Sophia and patted her back gently.
“Don’t cry. Mommy’s okay now. Daddy will be back soon. Be good, okay? Sophia.”
“Really? Daddy will come back soon?”
Sophia lifted her tear-streaked face, her eyes brimming with hope.
Alison forced a smile.
She had to use white lies to protect the children.
“Yes, Daddy will be back very soon.”
“How about we invite Godfather to join us tomorrow?” Alison added.
“Harvey or Aidan?” the twins asked in unison, their minds perfectly in sync.
This question stumped Alison.
“It depends on you guys.”
“Both! One can carry Sophia, and the other can carry me.” Ethan cheered.
Alison laughed.
“Ethan, you’re a big boy already. You don’t need anyone carrying you.”
Ethan insisted,
“I don’t care. Daddy hasn’t held me in ages. I want Godfather to hold me.”
“Fine,” Alison replied helplessly.
She decided to call over Erin, hoping to match Erin with Colton — and maybe give Aidan and Lucia a chance, too.
Just then, Sophia’s small hand waved in front of her face.
She asked curiously,
“Mommy, who are you thinking about? Is it Daddy?”
Blinking as clarity returned, she replied with a hint of guilt,
“Oh, no. I was thinking about something else.”
Then she began calling the four one after another.
None of them knew who else would be joining.
When Erin received the call, she asked, confused,
“Why should I go hiking with you?”
Alison explained,
“The kids love company, and I haven’t been in touch with my old classmates in ages. So I called you.”
“Your kids are absolutely adorable. Okay, I’ll come tomorrow.” Erin finally agreed.
Early the next morning, the doorbell rang.
Sophia and Ethan raced to open it.
“Godfather, you’re here! Mommy’s still dawdling in her room. I’ll get her. Please wait for a moment.”
Alison opened the door just in time to hear Ethan’s complaint.
She greeted,
“Aidan, you’re here.”
“Yeah. Are you all set?” Aidan asked with a smile.
He’d been thrilled when she had invited him to go hiking yesterday.
Alison refused to meet his gaze.
The car sped toward Logan Mountain, the most famous tourist attraction in S City.
Outside the window, trees flashed by.
The children chattered.
while her thoughts drifted far away. Jack… I miss you.
“Mommy, look over there! That man on the motorcycle is so cool and handsome!” Ethan pointed out the window.
The word motorcycle struck her like a spark — Alison turned her head before she even realized it.
Outside, a sleek, black Harley-Davidson was speeding down the road.
“Gabriel,” she murmured, her body jerking upright in her seat.
“Toot the horn! Make him stop. I need to see him,” she said to Aidan.