Chapter 8 After two days of recovery , Allison was summoned back to the Rockwood Estate . " I hear you've been planning Alex's wedding ? " Cornellus sat at the head of the drawing room table , his gaze sharp and commanding Allison lowered her eyes and nodded . " Yes . " " Ridiculous , " he snapped , slamming a hand against the chair arm . " Absolutely out of the question . " She flinched , her voice quiet . " It's his dying wish . I just … want him to leave this world with no regrets . " Cornelius stiffened , " What did you just say ? " She pulled out the forged medical report and hospice declaration . " He doesn't have long . I just want him to go in peace . " The old man's expression froze . He had always believed in marrying within one's class - he never liked Sarah , the maid's daughter Hittle pedigree . He would never allow her to marry into the Rockwood family . But now , he hesitated . " Please , " Allison said softly . " Let him have this . " Cornelius said nothing more . He waved his hand , signaling her to leave . With too much ambition and too Allison returned to the guest bedroom she'd been staying in . She had barely lain down before the door burst open with a violent kick Alexander stormed in , eyes blazing with fury . " I should've known better than to trust you , " he spat , grabbing her by the wrist and yanking her out of bed . Caught off guard , Allison fell hard onto the floor . " You got your damn shares and now you're pulling stunts behind my back ? " His voice shook with rage . " Where is Sarah ? Why the hell would you send Grandpa after her ?! " don't know what you're talking about ! " she cried , scrambling to her feet . " Do you honestly think I have any power over your grandfather's decisions ? He didn't even blink . " You have one day . Bring Sarah back , or your dad dies . Allison froze . Her blood turned to ice . " You wouldn't- " Her voice cracked . " What did you do to him ?! " Instead of answering , he shoved a phone in her face . The screen lit up with a live video . William was dangling by his wrists from a crane at the edge of Kingston Harbor , swaying in the wind like some horrifying threat . " Please - please let him down ! " Allison dropped to her knees , grabbing at his shirt . " I'll do whatever you want . Just don't hurt him . " Alexander's eyes flickered , but his tone stayed cold . " Bring me Sarah , and he walks free . " " He has a heart condition - he could die from the stress . I'm begging you , " she sobbed . You should be using that energy to find her , " he said , pocketing the phone . " You've got one hour . Then be turned and walked out Chapter Ask Al Install Al Chat App powered by Mirk productivity 40.00 % Allison staggered to her feet and rushed to Cornelius's study . She stood just outside the heavy double doors , clutching her chest as her voice cracked . " Please , Grandpa … let them be together . Just a small ceremony . Quiet . Private . No press , no damage to your reputation . " She leaned against the doorframe , begging over and over , her voice cracking with desperation . " Please . Just let Alex meet Sarah . " She stayed there for forty minutes , repeating it like a prayer , until the door finally creaked open . Cornelius stood in the doorway , a long sigh escaping his lips . " Fine , " he muttered . " Maybe I'm too old to understand how you kids do things anymore . She's at the West Hill Vineyard . Go get her . " " Thank you , " Allison whispered breathlessly . She tried to take a step , and she collapsed to the floor . Gritting her teeth , she forced herself upright - only to stumble again moments later , this time tumbling down the stairs . Still , she forced herself to get up , pressing a hand against her ribs as as she lim limped to the garage . She found Alexander in the garage , keys in hand . " Sarah's at West Hill , " she said , panting . Het froze . Without a word , he jumped into his car . Allison stepped directly in front of the vehicle . He slammed the brakes , nearly hitting her . " What the hell is wrong with you ?! " " Where is my dad ? " She stood firm , arms spread , eyes locked on his . Something flickered in his gaze . Maybe surprise . Maybe guilt . But only for a moment . " Kingston Harbor , " he finally said , teeth clenched . Allison bolted for a different car and sped out of the estate , beating Alexander onto the road . She arrived at the dock just as the wind picked up . Her father was still hanging there , unconscious , pale , his body swaying above the cold steel platform . Tears streamed down her face as she climbed the tower , hands shaking as she operated the controls . The crane groaned and lowered . She ran to him the second he hit the ground , untying the ropes with trembling fingers . Chapter 8 Ask Al Install Al Chat App powered by Gook to bene 40.00 % But he didn't move . " Dad ? Dad ! " she sobbed , pressing her hands against his chest . " Please … don't do this to me . " " Wake up . Please . " " Don't leave me … ' Her vision blurred with tears as she called 911 and rushed him to the hospital . The doctors did everything they could . But it was too late . Allison collapsed against the cold hallway wall outside the ER , clutching her coat tight . She opened her mouth to cry- But nothing came out . Nothing but a broken , empty silence .. Her chest ached like it had been torn open from the inside . And for the first time , she realized Real heartbreak doesn't always make a sound . Chapter B