Chapter 9 With her father's body placed in temporary preservation , Allison returned to the home like a ghost - numb , hollow , dragging what felt like the remnants of herself through the doors . Alexander had already located Sarah and resumed preparations for his staged death . Cornelius's sudden intervention had rattled them both . Alex knew the old man well enough - his approval now didn't guarantee he wouldn't change his mind tomorrow . Time was ticking He needed to get Sarah out of ther ecountry . The second Allison walked into the house , both Alex and Sarah froze . She looked like death . " Jesus , " Sarah muttered . " You trying to play ghost in broad daylight ? " Allison didn't respond . She just walked past them , her steps heavy and mechanical As she passed Alex , she paused . Her eyes met his - blank , haunted - and for a split second , a flicker of something darker flared in her expression . " Hey , Alex … " she said quietly , voice hollow , " Do people really turn into ghosts after they die ? " He blinked , caught off guard . Seeing her so broken , he assumed she was clinging to him again . " People die and disappear , " he said gently . " Don't dwell on it too much . " " I see . " She gave a small pod and turned away . Something about it left him unsettled . " Allison , " he said cautiously , " don't do anything stupid . Promise me you'll live . " She gave a twisted smile Live for him ? Not even close . The wedding was scheduled within the week . Alexander was still playing the part of a dying man - pale skin , faked coughs , dramatic vomiting , He even faked coughing up blood on occasion . It was so convincing that Cornelius kept flying in top - tier specialists , desperate to extend his grandson's life just a little longer . Sarah's dress was a handcrafted couture piece flown in from Europe - exactly her taste , dripping in crystals and lace . The venue ? A private ceremony at the exclusive Observatory Manor , built just for her . The guest list was small . Just a few of Alex's old friends … and Allison . Chapter 9 Ask Al Install Al Chat App powered by Grok to boost your creativity and 4.5 FREE Google Play INSTALL 45.00 % She stood quietly in the corner throughout the entire ceremony , like she wasn't even there . Her eyes never left Alex - not with longing , not with grief , She was just … waiting . Waiting for him to die . The officiant led them through their vows , the ring exchange , and the final declarations . The moment Sarah and Alex turned to leave the terrace- He collapsed . Blood poured from his mouth and nose as he dropped to the ground , sending the crowd into chaos . He was rushed to the hospital . As they wheeled him into the ER , he turned to Allison . " I'm sorry , " he whispered . " I should never have done this to you . You're so young , and now you'll be a widow … " His eyes locked onto hers . " If I get another life … don't marry me next time . " Allison said nothing . He tried to grab her hand , but she stepped back " I had sperm frozen , " he added with a weak smile . " You could still have a child . And someone to keep you company . " " Sarah will leave once I'm gone . Don't hold it against her . " Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes , as if he were truly saying goodbye . Sarah sobbed uncontrollably , clutching his hand like she couldn't breathe without him . She passed out before the nurses could even get him through the door . Allison looked down at him and spoke softly , calmly . " Go ahead , Alex . I'll be just fine . " She stepped aside , and watched him vanish behind the operating room doors . Two hours later , he was declared dead . וד Cornelius collapsed on the spot and was rushed to the neighboring ER , triggering a new wave of panic inside the hospital . But Allison ? She just stood there in perfect silence . She didn't cry . Didn't move . Once the crowd had dispersed , she turned and walked calmly to the hospital's administrative office . She signed the death certificate herself . She oversaw the body's cremation . She met with the legal team and filed the inheritance papers - her shares , her assets , s , everything that was hers by right . All of it was transferred immediately . Ask Al Install Al Chat App now Cornelius had suffered a mild stroke , and with no one else fit to handle the arrangements , the Rockwood family gave Allison tull authority over the funeral . The funeral was grand - so grand that nearly everyone in Kingston had heard of Alexander Rockwood's death . Mourners flooded the Rockwood estate , shoulder to shoulder , their condolences filling the air like smoke . Halfway through the service , Allison quietly slipped away . She returned to her room , where a bridal gown awaited - sent that morning by the Vanderbilts . She changed alone . No veil . No makeup . Just the gown , the silence , and a crimson bouquet resting in her hands Then , without a word , she stepped through the corridors of the Rockwood estate one last time - walking not toward grief , but toward something else entirely , Her heels echoed in the hall as she walked out the front door - passing the mourners , passing the press , passing the man she had just " widowed . " By the time she reached the car , whispers had turned into roars . " She's getting remarried ? " " Her husband's body isn't even cold yet ! " " Has she lost her damn mind ? " But Allison never looked back She climbed into the waiting car and adjusted the hem of her dress . Then , with a calm , detached voice , she spoke - almost like she was speaking to a ghost , " Alex , your performance is over . " " From this moment on … we're nothing . " " And everything you owe me ? She smiled faintly . " You're going to pay it back . Every last cent . " www Ask Al