When the door opened, Landon slid into the living room speedily, worried that Alyssa might change her mind. "Gosh, it's so hard to visit you. The entrance fee is pretty exorbitant."Under the lights, Alyssa's curves were accentuated by the tight robe on her body. Her tiny waist and buttery skin were luscious. He swallowed hard upon casting his eyes on her."Mr. Harper, your eyes are wandering elsewhere," Sean reminded him with much hostility."It's human nature to love beauty. I'm looking at her with the sole intention of admiring an artwork," he grinned and talked his way out of it shamelessly. It was the first time Sean had come across a man who'd reframe his inappropriate behavior into something noble."Is LAN's sculpture in this box?" She stared keenly at the box in his arms."Yes. I bought two sculptures from her—one for Jasper's grandpa and the other for you." His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Alice, LAN's artworks are handmade. She'll only put ten items on sale every ye
Alyssa said, "Let's do another one.""But you promised to do me a favor!" Landon frowned like a little brat."I really can't agree to that." Alyssa put on a serious face. "I promised Grandpa to show up as his daughter-in-law for the birthday. I will have nothing to do with the Beckett Family after that. "I'm afraid I'll only upset him if I show up to his birthday with a male partner. It's my wish to grant him a memorable 80th birthday. I don't have much time with him, anyway …"A tinge of wistfulness crept into her eyes."Alice, you're a lovely woman. Jasper lost out on you because he's blind!" Landon sighed. Upon second thought, he wouldn't have had a chance with Alice had it not been for Jasper's mistake. Jasper's loss was Landon's gain—a chance at love and happiness!"That's why I wanted us to do another one." She caressed the sculpture with much affection."How about you call me by my name? 'Mr. Harper' sounds too formal." He blinked earnestly."Is that it? My favors don
Twenty minutes later, Jasper showed up in front of Alyssa's villa. He rolled down the windows and stared at the warm lights from the windows, frustrated at the thought of Landon and Alice alone.Frowning, he clutched his phone in his sweaty palm. The screen showed the photo of Alice in a sexy, silky nightdress that showed off her lovely curves.She had only worn loose cotton pajamas in the past, which made her look pregnant. After the divorce, she had let loose of herself and turned into a siren who captivated men everywhere!His firm chest rose and fell. Looking at the photo, he tugged on the perfect knot on his tie. He felt a rush of temptation. …On the other hand, Landon stared at Alyssa with a long face while she chomped on the blue cheese chicken sandwich. He grew up in a very sheltered environment, where his mom doted on him and catered to his fussy tastebuds. He would never eat something like blue cheese."Aren't you eating? It won't be nice when it gets cold," she wonde
The screen went dark, but Jasper's angry eyes were etched on Alyssa's mind. How could that bastard dare to threaten Landon with the divorce? That was tasteless. "Is he seriously thinking of keeping me under his thumb forever using the divorce?" she thought furiously."Alice, I'm sorry." Sniffling, Landon felt a little uneasy. "It's all my fault for being a big mouth. I shouldn't have told him …""It's not your fault." She took a deep breath and cracked her knuckles. "That shameless prick Jasper Beckett is to blame! He just won't let me live in peace."Landon had always acted macho and arrogant in front of ladies. The women around him were mostly submissive and quiet. Therefore, he was flustered by Alyssa's outburst, which was his first experience of being subjugated by a woman.Thunder clapped, followed by bolts of lightning. Rain was coming."Let's have dinner. Ignore him." She left in anger. Standing by the entrance, Landon threw a glance at the door when he was struck by a mo
The winds howled in the downpour as a flash of purple lightning struck. Alyssa recalled that Jasper was standing under a tree just now.The thought terrified her, especially because Jasper was on his phone. Was he asking to be struck by lightning?"Jasper Beckett, I will never meet you out there. Stop calling me and go home now!" Her eyes had turned red."I will not leave if you aren't coming out." His tone was steely."Madman. You're an asshole!" Her face was flushed in anger. She cussed while making her way to the stairs to get out of the villa. Sean called out to her repeatedly but failed to stop her.…Jasper grasped the phone tightly in his hand with a deep frown. Standing firmly, he stared at the door of the villa.He breathed heavily, his eyes lit up with hope when the door was finally opened. Alyssa made her way to him with a jacket on her shoulders and a huge black umbrella in her hand. The wind messed up her hair. She looked frail in the rain, as though she'd be blow
"Ackk—" Despite Jasper's best efforts to hold the pain, he let out a deep groan. Still, he held on tightly to Alyssa.Her eyes wavered in shock as her heart beat against her chest. "Jasper, are you alright?""I'm fine. Get into the car." He endured the pain and grabbed her wrist stubbornly.The rain poured down as she was dragged into the car, speechless at Jasper. The car's interior was dark, damp, and filled with the warmth of their breaths.He threw his wet jacket onto the front passenger seat. His eyes were half-hidden behind his damp bang. He still looked hot even when he was a mess.Still frightened, Alyssa recalled Jasper's hug at that terrifying moment just now. She had mixed feelings about it.In their three years of marriage, he had never hugged her. She finally experienced comfort and safety in his arms."Is that what Liana has been enjoying daily?" she wondered. She smirked at the thought. It didn't matter because he was not hers anymore."Did Jonah Taylor buy you
"Why?" Jasper's eyes wavered in shock as he frowned. He had taken a while to build up the courage for the apology. For that, he lost sleep for a week.At first, he had planned to apologize to Alice at Newton's birthday event. However, when he heard that Landon had shown up at Alice's place, he could wait no more and immediately rushed over to meet her.He was confused by his rash action as he had never behaved in this way in the past. He knew there was a switch button for his emotions, but it slowly dawned upon him that Alice was in control of it."Liana should be apologizing to me. Why would you do that on her behalf? Are you showing off your love for her?" Her icy gaze pierced through him. "If she committed a murder, would you take the punishment for her as well?""Alice, I'm here to offer a sincere apology!" He raised his voice."I feel you're here to anger me." She chuckled. Her eyes were dripping with iciness. "You shouldn't throw around your apology. It's an affront.""Are
"Yeah, he's not worth it …" Alyssa mumbled in a daze.Landon inhaled sharply. He had a heartache seeing the shattered look in her eyes."Alice, why don't we try it out?" Alyssa's brows knitted tightly."Take your time to accept me. I'm no gentleman, but I'm willing to try for your sake!"At the very least, he believed he would be better to her than Jasper."Landon, I'm exhausted. Please don't put me in a difficult place." She glanced at him dejectedly."Alice …" His breath grew shallow. He felt sorry for her."It's late. I really want to go to bed. You should go home soon." She shoved him aside and dragged herself into the bedroom."Are you … and Jonah a thing? What's your relationship with him? Are you dating him seriously or using him to get back at Jasper?"She was taken aback by Landon's pointed questions and curled her fists. "That's none of your business.""I don't see any trace of him in your villa. If he's really your boyfriend, why isn't there a pair of men's slipp