"I'm your brother, for heaven's sake! How could you go physical on me? You nearly broke my ribs," Axel grumbled and pouted. He'd never show this side of his character to anyone but his brother.Jonah remarked, "That was a punishment for running your mouth. Hope you learned your lesson.""Gosh. I was joking. Don't you have a sense of humor?" Then, Axel stole a glance at his crotch and scoffed unhappily. Like any man, he was oddly competitive over everything."By the way, isn't Lyse bored out of the mind, staying by Jasper's side? She doesn't eat, drink, sleep, or check her phone at all," Axel asked with curiosity."No. You'll never be bored when you stay by your lover's side."Axel frowned at the reply. "I don't get it …""Axel, we've always felt you were the smartest amongst the few of us, but you're slow when it comes to matters of the heart. I bet you still can't grasp the meaning of being deeply in love with someone," Jonah commented.With that, he lapsed into deep though
Alyssa rubbed her eyes hard and stared at Jasper's hand. She harbored a suspicion that Jasper's movement was an illusion due to her fatigue.Still, she called out tentatively in a trembling voice, "Jasper? Jasper? Can you hear me? Move your fingers if you can. Jasper Beckett!""Lyse …" he uttered weakly.His feeble voice was deafening in the silent room. Elated, Alyssa asked, "Jasper, are you awake? Can you hear me? Jasper?"His pale lips trembled a little as he called out her name again like a murmur in a dream. Even in his dreams, Alyssa was the only thing in his mind.As tears rolled down her face, she responded, "I'm here!"Right then, he slowly unfurled his fingers and interlocked them with hers. Once a symbol of courage and strength, he had always offered her protection, but he now struggled with the simplest of movements."What … did you … write … on my palm?" he questioned.Her face flushed instantly.He pressed on, eyes full of anticipation, "I don't … want you … to w
It took Jasper only half a month to wake up from his coma after receiving emergency medical treatment, which was remarkable. Any ordinary patient would have lost the battle in the operating room, and even if they survived, it might take them longer to wake up from the coma.After Jasper was awake, Julien assessed his condition and attributed Jasper's quick recovery to his exceptional physique and military background.In the morning, Alyssa accompanied Jasper to complete some medical checkups. Throughout the process, he behaved well, like a child who attended medical appointments with his mother. He cooperated well without a word of complaint."Have you ever seen Lyse behaving so motherly and saint-like? I nearly prayed to her." Axel clicked his tongue.He shot an envious look at the wheelchair-bound Jasper as Alyssa draped a blanket over the latter. He added, "I guess Lyse is no longer one of us. Her brothers don't matter anymore now that she has a man. She won't take a look at us
It was a good thing that Silas was not around, or else the trio would have made such a scene.Axel taunted bitterly, "No, of course not. I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Mr. Beckett, as he's the family favorite now."Jonah said, "That's enough, Axel."Alyssa sighed helplessly. "Axel, I can already picture how you will treat your future wife. Are you going to nag her for a full day if she takes as much as a look at other men?""Not only that, I'll punish her in bed to the point that she won't be able to get out of bed for three days."Everyone was rendered speechless by Axel's bold answer.Jasper smiled, cheered up by the interaction among the siblings. He would be jealous of Alyssa's exchange with her brothers in the past, but he had since learned to be comfortable with the Taylor siblings' ways of expressing their love for Alyssa.All he needed to do was to be understanding and get along with it. People always said that those who were deep in love would lose their se
"Lyse, you shouldn't worry too much. The trip from Tsulu to Solana City is only five hours, and the private jet comes with first-aid equipment. It will be fine."Julien proudly lifted his chin. "That's right! What's there to worry about with a famous doctor like me on board?"Landon teased, "You will never beat Lyse in terms of fame."Frowning, Julien wondered, "What's that supposed to mean?""She's Dr. White. Did you not know?"Following the revelation, Julien stared agape at Alyssa, who seemed unfazed. He turned to the others and realized they did not react to the news at all.Was he the only one oblivious to Alyssa's identity? Had he been showing off in front of the true master without knowing it?Freezing up, he stiffly turned his back to the others and held the wall, his head hung low. Landon scratched his head, puzzled. "What's wrong with him?"Axel crossed his arms on his chest, replying, "No idea. I guess he's in despair because Lyse is too great of a doctor."…The n
Jasper's heart sank. After multiple exchanges with Jameson, he gained a better understanding of Jameson's character than Alyssa.Unlike Alyssa, he had no lingering sentiment for Jameson from childhood. He knew Jameson was a vindictive man and a ruthless one at that. In other words, Jameson was petty and extreme in his revenge."A relationship devoid of integrity is inherently meaningless," Jonah expressed, showing his concern for Alyssa. "The idea of you with Jameson filled me with worry because he has no principles and would do anything to get his way. "Who knows if he'd do the same to you? Lyse, you're my beloved sister. I cannot risk letting you date a problematic man."Alyssa teared up at Jonah's genuine brotherly love for her. "Jonah …"He gently stroked her hair and turned to address Jasper, "Mr. Beckett, why didn't you tell me it was Jameson Schmidt's doing when we were on Shelland Island? If you had done so, we could have found a way to exploit his weakness."With a long
After a brief internal struggle, Alyssa decided to keep it a secret.Right now, Jasper was filled with guilt and remorse. Of course, she was glad that he showed remorse for what he had done to her in the past, but she did not want him to risk his life once more to make amends.All she wanted was for him to light up her life. The last thing she wanted was to burden him with more guilt. This was her subtle way of expressing her love.Jasper's chest tightened when he noticed that she had turned white. Holding her shoulders, he inquired, "Lyse, are you okay?""I'm fine." She beamed at him. "I injured my finger climbing a tree as a kid. It's not a big deal and doesn't affect my life at all."Nevertheless, Jasper felt sympathetic toward her and gently held her pinky finger. "Why didn't any of your brothers take better care of you?""They did, but I was a troublemaker who refused to listen," she replied with a pout.He couldn't resist giving her a peck on the lips as she was too adorab
Alyssa's sole concern was her father's attitude. Winston Taylor doted on his daughter, but he could be merciless to anyone who was not family.Jasper had been on Winston's blacklist for a while. Changing Winston's impression of him wouldn't be easy, but Alyssa decided to take it easy. No one could come between them as long as their love held strong.When Alyssa helped Jasper put on the necklace, her fingers accidentally brushed against his chest. She silently gushed at his toned physique that could seduce anyone."How should I thank Jonah?" He stared at her while tightening his grip on her waist.He used to enjoy caressing her chubby waist, but he was pained to see Alyssa lose weight due to poor appetite and insufficient rest when he was in a coma. "It's fine—Mmm—" Suddenly, she found herself enveloped in a hug, her mouth sealed by a tongue kiss. His tongue explored every corner of her mouth.After some passionate kissing, he reluctantly pulled away but stared longingly at her m
Even without Jasper's presence, he was confident that the Taylors and the rescue team would have been able to save Alyssa. It became clear what the person manipulating Remy had been aiming for.But why had Remy let Jasper go at that crucial moment? Had he experienced a sudden change of heart? Or was he, in fact, Alyssa's brother, Damien?Jasper's mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. Before he could dwell too deeply, there was a knock at the door. Xavier hurried over to open it, freezing in shock when he saw who stood outside. "Mr. Winston?"Winston was leaning on Silas for support, his expression grim. "Mr. Beckett is in there, isn't he? May I have a word with him?" Xavier quickly stepped aside, gesturing for Winston and Silas to enter.When he saw the elder he respected standing at the door, Jasper struggled to rise from the bed despite his exhaustion. "Mr. Winston…" "You are wounded. Stay put!" Winston insisted, swiftly moving forward to gently press Jasper back down
"Next time? There won't be a next time."Tears flowed down Alyssa's face, soaking Jasper's shirt with each drop. Her voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of her heartache. "Jasper… I'm drained. Sometimes, I think it might be better if you just forgot about me. It would be easier than this. Every time I let myself hope, all I get in return is disappointment."Jasper's chest tightened as her calm words pierced through him. Waves of emotion surged inside him, and a lump rose painfully in his throat.…It was fortunate that Jasper had found Alyssa in time to administer first aid. After rushing her to the ER, she slipped into unconsciousness. That being said, she was extremely lucky to have escaped death. Nevertheless, she needed to remain in the ICU for further observation. Aside from treating her frostbite, the doctors needed to assess whether her internal organs or brain had been affected.With the severity of Alyssa's condition, Sean couldn't keep the truth from Winsto
"Jas…"Alyssa looked at Jasper with an unfocused gaze. Her breaths were shallow, and she was slipping in and out of consciousness. Mentally, she was confused. "Yes, it's me—Jasper!"Jasper's heart clenched as he saw the color drain from her face. Her body trembled uncontrollably, fragile as a leaf caught in the wind. She resembled the kitten he had saved as a child—frozen and alone in the alley that bitter winter night. A deep sorrow flooded his chest."Jas… per…" Alyssa murmured his name, her voice strained, her tongue numb from the cold.A faint, mocking smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "It seems… like I am about… to freeze to death… How could he be here… He will not come back… He doesn't want me anymore…" Alyssa's vision blurred as her eyelids grew heavy. She began to lean, her body sagging to one side."Alyssa! Stay awake!" Jasper's heart was pierced, the pain unbearable as he saw the denial in her eyes. He forced himself to pu
Elias frowned deeply; his worry etched onto his face. "We've been shouting Ms. Alyssa's name the whole way. With so many of us calling out, she should've heard us by now if she were nearby!"In a deep voice, Jasper said, "The wind is too strong, and then there's the heavy snowfall. Our voices are being drowned out. Lyse might not hear us at all."Lyse. Her nickname slipped from his lips before he even realized it."I'm just afraid she's injured—or worse, fainted. If she blacks out in this cold…" Elias trailed off, his voice heavy with dread. "On a day like this, she won't survive long. She'll freeze to death."The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of his words tightening their chests.It wasn't that Elias was being a doomsayer. Rather, this was the cruel reality that might actually happen. Crater Mountain claimed lives every year. Danger lurked unpredictably in the woods on the mountain—anything could unfold."Let's split up," Jasper commanded, his eyes fixed on t
The snow was falling heavily, and the chilling winds howled through the night.Remy had no car, so he trudged through the snow alone, each step more exhausting than the last.His thoughts were consumed with Alyssa—was she still alive? In danger? And Jasper's unrelenting resolve to reach her, even after being shot and drenched in blood.Remy pressed his calloused, trembling hand to his chest. His heart hammered in his ribcage erratically.A sharp, searing pain shot through his temples, blurring his vision. He collapsed to his knees in the snow, his body racked with agony. The pain surged deep within him, and his eyes felt like they were going to burst from their sockets. It was unbearable.His breath came in ragged gasps. His hands scrambled for the necklace hanging from his neck—inside it was a hidden medicine box.Justin had told him that the medication in there could calm him down and relieve him of any pain. It would be able to save his life. But in his desperate haste, the
As subtle as Remy's expressions were, Jasper still noticed them. A slight twinkle flashed across his eyes. He did not have the time to continue entertaining Remy. He clenched his teeth, turned around, and started running toward Crater Mountain. Nevertheless, he had barely taken a few steps when gunshots were fired at his feet. Even so, Jasper kept his eyes fixed ahead and did not stop. Just then, another gunshot rang out. It wasn't until a bullet hit him in his right shoulder that the pain caused him to stumble. He almost fell to the ground but forced himself to stay on his feet. It was fortunate that he was shot in his right shoulder this time. After all, his left shoulder could not be injured any further. Otherwise, his left shoulder would be left in complete disability."If you take another step, the next shot will be in your left leg," Remy warned mockingly. Yet, his gaze was firm and fiery. "Jasper, I don't suppose you want to end up like your older brother, living in
A chill went down Jasper's spine. At that moment, staring down the barrel of the gun, one thought consumed him. It was the only thought that mattered—he had to stay alive to meet Alyssa!Jasper's mind raced. His gun was hidden under the driver's seat of his usual car, but today, he had taken a different sports car—one that wasn't equipped with a weapon. Panic gripped him for a split second before his instincts kicked in.The soldier within him stirred. Without warning, he jerked the steering wheel, ramming his car into Remy's.One of Remy's headlights was taken out and left rolling across the snow. All of a sudden, this prideful man was overwhelmed with anger. His eyes reddened with a strong sense of competitiveness, compelling him to pull the trigger. A shot rang out. The bullet sliced through the cold air, shattering Jasper's car window.From the very beginning, Remy hadn't intended to take Jasper's life. All Justin told him to do was to stop Jasper from meeting with Alys
"Jasper, you are such a jerk. If anything bad happens to Ms. Alyssa, you will surely regret it. You will live in regret your entire life!" Sean yelled. …The temperature tonight was -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snowstorm in the woods on the mountain was getting stronger and stronger. The winds were freezing and bone-piercing as they blew against Alyssa's face. Trees swayed dramatically in the screeching winds, creating an inexplicable creepy atmosphere that added a feeling of desolation to Alyssa's sorrowful and depressive mood. She braved the bone-piercing winds and faced the heavy snowfall. With the help of her trekking pole, she plodded forward one step at a time. She did not have a destination in mind. She did not know where she was heading. Her heart had shattered, and she was beside herself. The decreasing temperatures discouraged her and made her lose all her motivation. For someone who had lost their willpower, being in the woods under extreme weather conditions wa
"Mr. Jasper, why do you say so?" Sheryl lifted her head and looked into Jasper's reddened eyes. She furrowed her brows and laughed out loud. "White Dove is from Solana City. This is also something that I wasn't able to predict. If I had known, I wouldn't have gotten you to make a trip here in vain, would I?" Sheryl was no longer that conniving bitch who used to act coy. Now, she had a powerful person backing her up. Jasper's violent rage did not scare her at all. "Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?" Xavier marched forward furiously. He was even more inclined to serve her a slap. "Did you know that Mr. Beckett had an important date with Madam today? He only rushed her because of your stupid lead! Right now, you're telling us that White Dove isn't in Skydon but Solana City? What the heck are you scheming? Were you trying to ruin Mr. Beckett and Madam's date intentionally?" "Madam? Haven't Mr. Jasper and Ms. Alyssa broken up? Is it right for you to be referring to her