Chapter 76 I Don't Want to Go
Jack felt like he was "getting younger," actually looking forward to eating chips and yogurt. "Sure, but I'm gonna eat your share too," he teased Ethan, hoping to see the little guy's reaction.
Ethan's eyes darted around. He was a bit reluctant to give up his chips and yogurt, but thinking that this Uncle Winston might be his dad, he bit his lip and made up his mind. "I'll just eat a small piece, and you can have the rest."
Just then, Sophia's voice came through the phone. "Hey, let me talk!" She was eager to speak with Jack too.
Ethan quickly said, "Uncle Winston, Sophia wants to talk to you."
"Oh, okay." Jack found these two kids absolutely adorable. Even though he hadn't met them yet, he could already picture them in his mind.
Sophia took the phone and said, "Uncle Winston, you have to take good care of my mommy. Don't let her lose her wallet or get lost again. Getting lost is scary and makes people cry. Did mommy cry?"
Alison's face turned red. She had indeed cried earlier, even wrinkling Jack's shirt with her tears. "Jack, give me the phone. Don't listen to the kids; they have no manners."
"That's what makes them real. If you call me Mr. Winston again, I won't give you the phone back." Jack found that being called Jack felt natural and special. She had been missing for three days and nights, and he had been searching for her, partly to keep his brother from worrying and partly because he felt responsible since she had left because of him. Thinking about the hardships she might have endured, he felt guilty, which is why he let her cry on his shoulder.
He loved hearing her call him "Jack." It felt like an old friend calling out to him.
Though a bit uncomfortable, she mustered the courage to call him again, "Jack, give me the phone." Only then did Jack hand it back to her. Alison chatted happily with the kids until they reluctantly hung up.
The room suddenly fell silent. She wanted to ask about Aimée and where they were now. Although the room was unfamiliar, having him by her side made her feel safe.
Thinking about the past still brought a dull ache to her heart. It was this pain that had driven her to leave him, leading to the accident. She knew the pain wouldn't disappear immediately, but now she realized she had no reason to be angry with him.
He had been a victim too. She had silently wished him well long ago and shouldn't have been angry.
Even if he married Aimée and had children, she could only wish them well from afar. That was the right thing to do. She looked at him, her emotions surging.
"Alison, why are you staring at me like that?" Jack asked curiously.
Feeling a bit awkward, Alison asked, "Jack, where's Aimée? And where are we now?"
"Aimée is in Paris. She didn't come with me. We're in Germany," Jack replied.
Alison was stunned. "What did you say?" She hadn't expected to be taken from France to Germany. But then she realized it was possible, given the ease of travel within the EU, like moving within a single country.
"If you don't want to stay here, we can leave," he suggested.
Of course, she wanted to leave. She stood up immediately, and he followed suit. She noticed that even barefoot, she only reached his chin. He was really tall.
"Let's go then." He started walking without another word. Alison followed silently, but after a few steps, she couldn't help but ask, "Jack, does Aidan know I'm okay?"
Jack paused for a moment, then continued walking. "You finally remembered my brother is worried about you. I don't understand why you were so agitated that day. Don't worry, I've already told him."
Everything returned to reality.
Why had she been so agitated?
It was all because of him.
But he had no idea.
She watched his back, the burning pain in her heart growing stronger, quickly overshadowing the small joy he had brought her earlier.
Watching him walk away, the fiery pain in her heart grew stronger, quickly overshadowing the little happiness he had given her.
He had come to save her, to keep Aidan from worrying.
She followed him silently, so close yet feeling a vast distance between them.
Outside, his car was parked—a brand-new white Lamborghini. It seemed he had a particular fondness for this model.
Whether at home or abroad, his cars were always this model and always white.
She chose the passenger seat, wanting to remember the scenery and the lesson from this journey.
The car was very quiet, as if he knew her mind was in turmoil.
After a while, Alison broke the uncomfortable silence. "Jack, how did you find me?"
"Through a friend," he said casually.
"You have quite a few friends. That's impressive." To rescue me from those bad guys, that person must be extraordinary.
"Not too many, just a small favor. Luckily, we arrived in time, or else..."
Or else, my chest might have been altered, becoming fake. I remember being pushed into the operating room, terrified. Now, it feels like a nightmare, but I survived and escaped that fate.
"Jack, thank you so much." She knew that a life-saving grace couldn't be repaid with just a thank you, but she needed to say it to feel at ease.
"Don't be so formal. I didn't come to hear your thanks."
"Then what do you want me to do?" she asked curiously, now just wanting to relax and do nothing.
"First, you need to reassure my brother. He was really worried about you. Second, starting tomorrow, you have to accompany me to meet my brother's clients and help with the notes. I promise we'll finish everything in five days, and then we can have some fun."
She had hoped for a free trip but ended up having to work. Knowing Jack was doing this for Aidan and YD, she nodded lightly. "Okay."
"You agreed quickly, but I have conditions," he said leisurely while turning the steering wheel.
"Go ahead."
"When you're with me, don't always look so gloomy, as if what happened that day was my fault and not my brother's." He said it naturally, seeing nothing wrong with discussing such matters.
"Jack, can you stop linking me with your brother? It's impossible between us."
"Why not? I think my brother likes you. He might fall for you this time."
Both brothers were quite the playboys. Aidan wouldn't give up his bachelor lifestyle for her. "Jack, I don't want to talk about Aidan and me anymore. Please don't interfere in my personal life."
Jack glanced at her, occasionally thinking she resembled someone from his memory, especially with her short hair and that name. "Hey, can't I show some concern for you?"