Secrets of a Hidden Marriage

Chapter 49: From Now On, We're Strangers

Cher Waverly’s tear-streaked face turned toward the crowd as her trembling voice filled the room. “You all heard it, didn’t you? This is a recording from a month ago. Allie wanted me to get rid of the baby. I never thought she’d actually follow through with something so monstrous. Allison Brooks, how could you be so heartless? You’re nothing but a murderer!”

Allie froze. Her body trembled uncontrollably, as if a cold tide had swept through her veins.

That recording was indeed her voice—her words—but it wasn’t what it seemed. She had only said it to placate Cher, to cut her off and escape the whirlwind of her manipulations. Never in her darkest nightmares had she imagined Cher would save it, let alone use it like this.

She stared at Cher, now sobbing theatrically, and felt an icy wave of fear. How far had Cher planned this? How much of this moment had been crafted in her twisted mind?

Allie’s voice caught in her throat. Words clawed at her lips, but no sound came. She was utterly powerless against the scene unfolding before her.

Paul Lawson and Maria Lawson stood nearby, their gazes heavy with shock and disappointment.

Cher collapsed dramatically into Nick Lawson’s arms, her sobs tearing through the sterile hospital room. "My baby... my sweet baby. Allie, why? Why would you do this? You took everything from me! You’re going to pay for this. You murderer..."

The words echoed like thunder in Allie’s mind.

Paul approached Nick, his voice firm but weary. “Nick, this whole mess started with you. What do you intend to do about it?”

Nick’s gaze remained distant, as if he hadn’t heard a word. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, emotionless.

“I’ll marry Cher.”

The room fell silent.

Maria was the first to break it. “Nick, are you out of your mind? The child is gone! There’s no reason to tie yourself to this woman. You’re a Lawson—your future marriage should be meaningful, not some rash decision!”

Nick’s jaw tightened. “I’ll marry Cher, and I’ll take her with me to New York. You’ve always wanted me to study business there, haven’t you? Well, I’ll do it. And Cher’s coming with me.”

Maria stared at her son, stunned by his resolve. For the first time, she saw not the passionate boy she raised but a hardened man, driven by desperation.

Allie didn’t wait to hear more. She stumbled out of the hospital, her legs moving mechanically, her heart fractured into pieces too sharp to hold.

Nick’s parting words echoed in her ears.

“Allie, from now on, I owe you nothing. Cher owes you nothing. We’re strangers now. Do us both a favor and stay out of my life.”

She hadn’t cried then, hadn’t begged or pleaded. She had simply turned and left, her face expressionless. But inside, her soul bled.

The city lights blurred as she wandered aimlessly, her phone buzzing incessantly in her pocket. She didn’t need to look to know who it was—Liam Hart. But she couldn’t answer, not now.

Eventually, her feet carried her to a small park. She sank onto a bench, her mind a haze of pain and confusion. The cool night air bit at her skin, but she didn’t feel it.

She replayed everything in her head, over and over, until her chest tightened with the weight of it all. Her heart felt like it was being sliced apart, one dull cut at a time.