Chapter 35 Chance Encounter
Alison hurried back to her apartment, her heart still racing a bit.
As soon as she opened the door, her two little ones rushed to her, each clinging to one of her legs as if afraid she might disappear.
"Mommy, you're finally back! We've been waiting for you forever!"
"Mommy, I want ice cream right now!"
Seeing their adorable faces, Alison's anxiety began to fade.
Maybe she was overthinking it. As long as she believed she was Alison and not Emily, Aidan wouldn't suspect anything.
After all, there are so many people in the world who look alike. It's perfectly normal.
"Alright, let's go get some ice cream." Alison took each child's hand, their small, soft hands giving her strength and comfort.
She was their mommy, and she had to be brave and face everything without fear.
They walked along the crosswalk towards the ice cream shop on the next street. Alison loved these walks with her kids; the cozy family atmosphere made her feel incredibly happy and content.
"Mommy, when do you start work?" Sophia asked, looking up at her.
"Tomorrow."
"So soon! Does that mean you'll only be with us on Saturdays and Sundays?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Then can we have ice cream every Sunday?"
"Nope, too much ice cream will ruin your teeth." Alison gently tapped Ethan's head, knowing he would suggest that, but she wasn't going to give in to his cute face.
She only brought them for ice cream once a month, and each could only choose two flavors.
"Mommy, your teeth are so white. Is it because you didn't eat ice cream when you were little?" Sophia asked curiously.
"That's right. So you should learn from Mommy if you want beautiful, white teeth when you grow up."
The three of them walked into the ice cream shop, drawing the attention of passersby.
As soon as they reached the door, a server greeted them warmly, "Welcome, Sophia and Ethan!"
These two little ones had only been here once but were already remembered by the server. After all, such adorable twins were rare.
As usual, they ordered five scoops of ice cream, two for each child, and one for Alison to share with them.
"So sweet!"
"Your strawberry flavor isn't as good as my pineapple one!" Ethan said smugly, eyeing Sophia's ice cream.
"Strawberry is the best!" Sophia protested, her little nose wrinkling. She glanced around and pointed to a girl at a nearby table, "Look, that girl is eating strawberry too!"
Alison smiled at their bickering, used to such scenes. She took a bite of her ice cream, her gaze drifting to the clear glass window.
Outside, the afternoon sun was shining brightly, making her feel at ease.
Her eyes wandered to the ice cream shop's entrance, and suddenly, her expression changed.
A man and a woman walked in hand-in-hand. The woman was dressed in designer clothes, looking very glamorous, and the man beside her was Jack!
That handsome face was etched deeply in her memory.
After three years, Alison never expected to see him again in such a place...
That was Jack's type. She remembered the three women she had seen in his apartment before were all dressed fashionably like that.
No!
She couldn't let him see Sophia and Ethan.
Otherwise, he might humiliate her or even take the kids away.
She couldn't be separated from Sophia and Ethan. Their bond over the past three years was unbreakable.
Jack's hand was already on the glass door. With a slight push, he and his companion would walk in, and she and the kids would have nowhere to hide.
No!
She couldn't lose her children!
Alison quickly turned, ready to leave with Sophia and Ethan.
"Mommy, that man is so handsome, and he looks a bit like..." Sophia, facing the glass door, saw Jack coming in. But before she could finish saying "brother," Alison had already scooped her up and grabbed Ethan's hand, rushing out.
"Mommy, I haven't finished my pineapple ice cream! Where are we going?" Ethan protested, reluctant to leave his ice cream behind.
"Don't talk, and don't look back. Just follow Mommy. If anyone talks, no more ice cream next time." Alison said sternly.
Sophia and Ethan exchanged a glance, immediately understanding, and closed their mouths.
But just then, Jack's voice came from behind, "Is that seat taken? I'd like to sit there and watch the street."
Alison's heart tightened, and she quickened her pace, heading towards the restroom. She remembered there was an employee exit at the end of the hallway. Such places usually had a back door for deliveries.
Behind her, the server said apologetically, "Sorry, that seat is taken by those three customers who just went to the restroom. Can you choose another seat?"
But Jack's companion insisted, "Jack, I really like that seat."
Alison silently prayed to find the back door quickly and leave this place.
"Mommy, someone wants our seat," Sophia whispered in Alison's ear, sneaking a glance at the man who looked like her brother. But she decided to tell her brother later, fearing Mommy wouldn't bring her for ice cream again.
"Get down, don't look at him, and don't talk," Alison ordered nervously. If Jack came over for his girlfriend, she wouldn't be able to avoid him.
Jack's girlfriend said, "Jack, ask them to switch seats. We'll pay them."
Jack refused, "Cassandra, stop it. They're kids; we can't take their seat."
The woman persisted, "Jack, I really like that seat. The others aren't by the window and aren't romantic." She turned to the server, "Can you ask them? They seem to be leaving."
The server reluctantly agreed and approached Alison, "Miss Fairchild, are you leaving?"
Alison steadied herself, cleared her throat, and replied, "Yes, we're leaving."