The nights at Greystone Manor were always particularly quiet, as if even the wind didn't dare to disturb this ancient building. Alison stood in front of the window of her study, a glass of red wine in her hand, her eyes piercing through the heavy curtains and falling into the distant night. Her mood was complex and heavy, and her mind kept replaying the conversation with Jackson and the seemingly sincere look in his eyes.
"Do you really believe him?" A voice asked in her mind.
She shook her head, trying to shake the thought away. She knew that Jackson's gentleness was just an illusion, and that every word and gesture he made could be an attempt to hide the truth. But at the same time, she couldn't deny that his tenderness had touched her heart.
"Allison," Jackson's voice came from behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
She turned to see Jackson standing in the doorway, a bottle of wine in his hand and a warm smile on his face. "I thought you had rested."
Allison smiled slightly, a hint of fatigue in her voice. "I couldn't sleep, so I came here to read."
Jackson took a few steps closer and placed the wine on the table with a hint of concern in his gaze. "You look tired lately, Allison. Is there something on your mind?"
Alison ducked her head, pretending to straighten the pages of her book to avoid his gaze. "Nothing, just some insomnia."
Jackson was silent for a moment, his voice low and soft. "I'm always here if you need to talk."
Allison lifted her head and gazed into his eyes, trying to find a hint of hypocrisy in them, but they were so genuine that she was confused. She knew that it was just part of the game, but she couldn't deny that Jackson's tenderness did touch her heart.
"Thank you, Jackson," she whispered, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "I just ... can't let go of some things."
Jackson gently took her hand in his, his eyes full of understanding. "I know that Sarah's death was a huge shock to you. But please believe that time will heal."
Allison's heart sank hard, but she quickly suppressed the turmoil in her mind. "Does time ... really heal everything?"
Jackson nodded, a hint of determination in his voice. "Yes, Allison. I'll be there for you as long as you want me to be."
Allison was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Thank you, Jackson."
Jackson smiled slightly and gently took her into his arms, his voice filled with tenderness. "You're welcome, Allison. It was the right thing to do."
Allison leaned into his arms, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She knew that this false love was just part of her revenge plan, but she couldn't deny that Jackson's tenderness did give her a warm feeling.
Just then, the door to the study was gently pushed open and Ethan walked in. His eyes fell on the two of them, and there was a flash of pain and anger in his eyes.
"Ethan," Jackson said, a look of surprise on his face as he let go of Allison. "What are you doing here?"
Ethan didn't answer, just looked at Allison coldly, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I see I've interrupted your romantic moment."
Allison's heart sank, but she quickly calmed down, her face remaining calm. "Ethan, you're mistaken. We were just talking."
Ethan sneered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Talking? Alison, do you think I don't know what you're doing?"
Jackson frowned, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Ethan, what are you talking about?"
Ethan turned his head and looked at Jackson, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Jason, she lied to you. She only approached you for revenge."
Jackson's expression hardened and a flash of shock and anger passed through his eyes. "Revenge? Alison, is that true?"
Allison's heart raced, but she quickly calmed down, her face remaining calm. "Jackson, Ethan's talking nonsense. He's just jealous."
Ethan sneered, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Jealous? Alison, do you think I'm going to believe your lies? I know what you're looking for, and I know why you approached Jackson."
Jackson's eyes scanned back and forth between the two of them, finally resting on Allison's face, a hint of ice in his voice. "Alison, is this true? Are you approaching me just to get revenge?"
Allison was silent for a moment, but finally nodded, a note of determination in her voice. "Yes, Jackson. I only approached you to uncover the truth about Sarah's death."
Jackson's expression turned cold, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment. "How could you ... you?"
Allison gazed into his eyes, a hint of icy determination in her voice. "Because Sarah is my sister, and I, for one, must do her justice."
Jackson was silent for a few moments and finally sneered, a hint of mockery in his voice. "You think you can do that? Alison, you're naive."
Alison didn't respond, she just looked at him coldly, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that the game was over, and she had to face the storm that was to come.
Ethan walked up to her, his voice low and firm. "Alison, we should go."
Allison nodded and turned to leave the study, leaving Jackson standing there alone, filled with anger and pain.
She knew that the flames of vengeance had been lit, and she had to go all the way.