Everything Is Changing
Alison was deeply distressed upon learning this news.
Is Jack still in critical condition?
Or have his drug cravings flared up, leaving him unable to control himself?
"If you hear anything about Jack, tell me immediately," she urged Aidan.
Seven days later, she insisted on leaving the hospital, despite Aidan's and the security guards' pleas.
Outside the main gate, Aidan's car was waiting.
“Get in, Alison,” Aidan said.
Alison ignored him and hailed a taxi.
Aidan's car followed closely behind. He rolled down his window and shouted, "Where are you going? I'll take you."
“No, I'll manage on my own.” She hurriedly got into the taxi and headed straight for the military hospital in City S.
"Driver, please go faster," she urged.
Aidan's car followed closely behind, along with the vehicles protecting Alison.
Finally, the car stopped at the entrance of the military hospital.
Alison dashed out and ran to the reception desk to inquire about Jack.
The receptionist glanced at her and said, "Please wait a moment. I'll check it.”
Alison's heart raced as she stared intently at the computer screen.
Soon, she found Jack's name among the pages of patient records. It read: Jack, discharged at 10:00 a.m.
"Ah!" she gasped, her mouth agape. "Was he discharged because he's fully recovered?"
"I'm sorry. Mr. Winston is a special case. His medical condition cannot be disclosed, so I cannot provide any information,” the receptionist replied.
Alison panicked, her face instantly turning pale. She grabbed the receptionist's white uniform collar. “Tell me! Which hospital did he transfer to?"
"Miss, please let go," the receptionist said, clearly frightened by her intensity.
“Tell me! Tell me now!" Alison screamed.
"I'm sorry, but we really can't look it up here. Perhaps you could ask the doctors?” The receptionist tried to push Alison away.
Just then, Aidan rushed over.
"What's wrong, Alison?"
"Jack was discharged, but I don't know which hospital he went to. Aidan, help me find out!" Alison insisted firmly.
"He did transfer hospitals."
"His injuries were severe, weren't they?" she asked.
"He asked you to give him a month. By then, he'll be back with you," Aidan replied.
"Tell me—is he in rehab?"
Seeing that there was no point in hiding it anymore, Aidan nodded. "Yes."
“Take me to see him,” she pleaded.
"He won't see you," he said.
"Impossible! He just doesn't want me to see how bad he looks
during rehab. Aidan, please tell me where he is!" she shouted, shaking his shoulders fiercely.
“I'm sorry. I can't tell you.”
“Fine, then I'll find him myself.”
Alison learned from the taxi driver that there were two rehabilitation centers in S City. However, after visiting each one, she discovered that Jack was nowhere to be found at either facility.
Panic and confusion wash over her once more.
Have Jack already left S City?
After getting into another taxi, the driver asked, "Ma'am, where do you want to go?"
"Take me to the beach," Alison blurted out.
When the taxi stopped, Aidan followed her out. "Alison, go home. Stop wandering around like this. If...”
He paused, refraining from mentioning Matthew—a name many in S City considered taboo—in front of the driver.
"I just want to walk alone by the sea. Don't follow me."
"It's not safe, Alison."
She laughed lightly and ignored him.