Chapter 95 Possible
Alison's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Aimée, who said, "Can we not talk about her? I'm so over it. Lately, I've been craving something light and simple."
Alison smiled, "My stomach can't handle raw or cold food. On nights like this, I just love a bowl of potato soup."
Suddenly, Jack chimed in, "Hey, Miss Fairchild, do you know how to cook?"
Alison's heart raced again. She absolutely couldn't admit she could cook, or Jack might figure out she was the fake Emily from the apartment. She shook her head and said softly, "I can only make simple things, like boiling pasta."
"Really?" Jack raised an eyebrow, pressing further.
"Yeah," Alison replied.
"Hey, bro, what do you think about that camping trip I suggested last time?" Jack asked.
By this time, Aidan had already ordered food for himself and Alison. He put down the menu and looked at Alison, "I'm fine with it, but it depends on Alison."
Aidan's words drew both Jack and Aimée's attention to Alison.
Jack started persuading again, "I don't know what you two are bickering about. Bro, can't you just give Alison a break? And Alison, I don't know what my brother did to upset you, but I think he's sincere. Cut him some slack; he's never been in a relationship before and can be impulsive."
Alison twisted the hem of her shirt, feeling stifled and unsure how to refuse Jack.
Jack winked at Aidan, "Bro, let's settle the camping trip for the beginning of next month." Alison hadn't agreed yet, but they continued talking as if she had.
"Jack, you still haven't told me why you invited me for a late-night snack. If you don't explain, I won't enjoy this meal," Aidan interjected.
Jack smiled mysteriously, "Bro, remember the specialist in Paris my mom mentioned who treats mental disorders? My mom called today and said he's coming to our city for an academic exchange tomorrow. Bro, we should take this chance to bring your mom to see him. It might help her improve, and then..." He didn't finish, but the implication was clear.
"Alright, I'll go personally tomorrow and try to schedule a time to take my mom," Aidan agreed.
So, Jack had sought out Aidan for their mother's illness.
Alison only ate a small bowl before feeling full. Sitting across from Jack and Aimée, she found it hard to eat.
Aimée asked with concern why she ate so little. Alison smiled and said she had eaten a lot earlier and wasn't hungry now. She noticed Aimée and Jack were wearing matching outfits, like a couple, and thought they might be getting married soon.
Aimée tried the potato soup Alison had ordered and said it was delicious. But after just one bite, her face changed, and she looked like she was about to throw up.
"Aimée, are you okay?" Alison asked with concern. The two brothers, engrossed in their conversation, hadn't noticed Aimée's discomfort.
"I... I don't feel well. I need to go to the restroom," Aimée mumbled, covering her mouth as she rushed to the bathroom.
The two men finally noticed.
Aidan turned to Alison, "Alison, go check on her." He gave her a look, signaling her to accompany Aimée to the restroom.
"Okay," Alison quickly followed. Aimée's condition reminded her of when she had thrown up on Jack during a flight, making her blush as she hurried over.
Behind her, Aidan casually asked Jack, "Is Aimée pregnant?" His tone was slightly mocking, but to Alison, it sounded like a thunderclap.
Could Aimée be pregnant? The thought caused a storm in Alison's mind, knowing the brothers shared everything. This made it seem very likely.
"If that's the case, you might get married before me..." Aidan's words echoed in Alison's ears, but she couldn't focus on anything else. She reached the restroom and saw Aimée hunched over the toilet, looking miserable.
Alison stood silently behind Aimée, thinking that if Aimée was pregnant, it would be a huge deal for her. Such vomiting could be a sign of pregnancy.
After a while, Aimée turned around, tears streaming down her face, looking very uncomfortable. Alison handed her a wet wipe, "Here, wipe your mouth."
Aimée took the wipe and carefully cleaned her mouth, then went to the sink to wash her hands. She smiled awkwardly, "Maybe I couldn't handle the taste of the century egg and pork. Just one bite made me feel like this. It's strange; I never had this problem before."
"Aimée, does your stomach still hurt?" Alison asked with concern.
"I feel much better after throwing up," Aimée replied with a smile. She dried her hands with the hand dryer. Though she still looked a bit pale, she seemed okay. "Miss Fairchild, let's go back. We don't want Jack to worry."
Aimée's affectionate use of Jack's name showed she considered him her fiancé. To others, they seemed like a perfect couple, both in looks and background.
Alison's mind replayed Aidan's earlier words. She hesitated, wondering if she should ask. Yes, Jack should have a family.
He needed a family, and his mother longed for him to settle down and have children. As for her, though she couldn't give him these things, she genuinely wished for his happiness.
"Aimée, when was your last period?" Alison asked casually, trying to determine if Aimée could be pregnant.
Aimée thought for a moment, "It was on the 20th of last month... Wait, my period is about seven or eight days late this month. It's never been late before; it's always a day or two early. I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it."
Alison's heart raced, and she whispered, "Aidan just asked Jack if you might be pregnant. It could be possible."
Aimée looked shocked, "What... what did you say?" She clearly understood Alison's implication.
"After we finish eating, let's stop by a pharmacy and get a pregnancy test. I'll go with you," Alison suggested, feeling a bit regretful for meddling. But the thought of Aimée possibly carrying Jack's child made her eager to know the truth.
Regardless of the outcome, she wanted to know. Not because she expected anything, but because anything related to Jack mattered to her. It was just an instinctive reaction.
"That's impossible. Don't say that," Aimée's face grew paler, and she stopped to catch her breath, seemingly frightened by Alison's words.
Alison was puzzled. If Aimée truly liked Jack, she should have no reason not to want his child.
From that night in Paris until now, it had been over twenty days. Aimée's period being this late likely meant she was pregnant, according to basic biology.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I might have said too much. Are you okay, Aimée?" Alison asked, trying to help her back to their seats, feeling it was awkward to stand there being watched.
But Aimée's face turned ashen, and she abruptly pushed Alison's hand away, "Get away from me! I don't need your help!" Her mind was in turmoil. If Alison was right, she might be pregnant. But the thought that the child could be Aidan's, not Jack's, terrified her.
"Aimée, I'm sorry. I might have been wrong. Let's go back and eat," Alison tried to calm her down.
But Aimée became agitated, "Alison, stop pretending to be nice. Get lost! I don't want to see you!" Without Jack and Aidan around, Aimée's demeanor changed drastically, becoming almost hostile. The memory of that night filled her with rage, making her want to tear Alison apart. She liked Jack, but that night she had been with Aidan.