"It's my duty to protect her. I would never ask for any reward or praise," Jasper remarked. He closed his eyes as a dull pain pulsed in his chest. "I am only making amends for wronging her in the last three years.""With your life?""Well, I can't make amends with money, can I? Do you realize how wealthy her family is?" Jasper's temper flared.Landon scratched his head. Right, Alyssa could afford anything with her wealth.Jasper's thoughts drifted to the memory of her pale face in his arms, which only intensified his heartache. He wondered if she was awake now and if her fever had subsided. He also couldn't help but worry if she suffered any fractures from hanging onto the cliff. She was all he could think about.Taking a deep breath, he clutched his bedsheet tightly as if trying to kill a budding urge.Had he truly fallen for her?His heart raced at the thought of it. His breaths grew heavy, and his cheeks flushed."Hm, why are your cheeks red? Do you have a fever?" Landon
However, Landon obediently stumbled backward after Alyssa shot him a death glare, like one of Cleopatra's many male lovers.Xavier swiftly went up to her and said, "M-Madam—""Madam? What?" Alyssa frowned."Uh, Ms. Alyssa, Mr. Beckett switched hospitals because he didn't want you to worry about his injuries. He wanted you to focus on your recovery," Xavier muttered meekly. Xavier felt nervous every time he had to face Alyssa, who had grown assertive and abrasive. She had become the complete opposite of her past acquiescent self."He's overthinking, then. I am not going to worry about him," replied Alyssa with a snicker and a lift of the brow."But you wouldn't have quickly located him if you weren't worried about him, right?" Xavier bit the bullet and retorted."You—" She glared at him.Jasper secretly grinned as he rested against the headboard. Xavier might be a little slow and clumsy and didn't always do his job right. However, he had redeemed himself and pleased Jasper wi
Jasper, who had always been prideful and rebellious, went along with Alyssa. He rolled over just as instructed.Alyssa pressed her lips, surprised by his lack of protest. The huge area of bruises on his wide and muscular back now lay exposed before her eyes.At that moment, her eyes wavered. Despite her best efforts to keep her emotions in check, she couldn't help but feel extremely bad for him.He mistook her silence for shock and attempted to roll over again, but she pinned him down and ordered, "Stop moving around. I need to take a better look.""The doctor said the bruises would slowly go away as I heal," he remarked in a low voice. It was strange how he seemed to be trying to console her when he was the one who was injured."Like I can't tell," she fired back, annoyed.Her sharp retort caught him off guard, and he responded with a hint of amusement, "I didn't know you were such a firecracker when you were still with me. I am amazed by that sharp tongue of yours and your guts
Jasper was strong despite being injured, much to Alyssa's surprise. With a glimmer in his eyes, he pulled her toward him. She fell into his arms, and their bodies pressed against each other.Jasper pinned her down by resting his left hand on the back of her waist. It was still hooked to the IV drip."Jasp—" Alyssa teared up from the anxiety. Her words were cut short by his sudden kiss. His damp and warm lips brushed against her. Upon tasting her sweetness, he became a beast out of control, kissing her aggressively and taking her in.Meanwhile, Alyssa was dizzy from the kiss and unknowingly moaned. She tightened her grip on his chest, leaving behind red marks.She was going through a mix of emotions—shame, humiliation, grievance … Driven by those emotions, she gave him a bite on the lip. Surprisingly, he did not flinch and only hugged her tighter as she bit him deeper.The metallic taste of blood spread in their mouths. He endured the pain she inflicted on him but did not let go
"My dad once told me that a perfect relationship has to be smooth from the start. In our three years of marriage, I gave up myself to prop you up. I kept the relationship by compromising. What's the point of keeping this broken relationship? Why would I hurt myself by giving you a second chance?"Alyssa's words were piercing and damning. Jasper refused to lose her and reached out to hold her hand, but she dodged the move.He panted heavily and declared, "I swear I will not treat you like I did in the past. You don't even have to do anything. I'll pursue you."Her heart raced as she went through a whirlwind of emotions. Her palms grew sweaty, her breathing became erratic, and her heart raced in all directions. She scoffed at his suggestion. "You once said I was a shameless and deceitful woman. I'm not a prim and proper lady, unlike Liana Gardner. Why would you fall for me?"She sniffled and added, "Besides, I'm no longer the gullible and weak Alice White. Men are lining up for me.
A heavy silence enveloped the car.Jonah, Liam, and Sean were baffled. Sean, who was driving, almost lost his grip on the steering wheel."Lyse, w-what did you just say?" Jonah stammered, losing his usual composure."Jasper told me he regretted the divorce. He wanted a second chance and even said he'd pursue me this time," Alyssa recounted. She raised her chin and fixed her crystal-clear eyes on Jonah. "Jonah, what does that mean? Is that a love confession?"Liam and Sean retorted at the same time, "Nonsense!"Then, they again scolded Jasper in unison, "That shameless bastard!"Jonah blinked, his brows furrowing."Jonah, can you believe it? The man who destroyed my marriage now swears that he's going after me. He almost had me convinced," Alyssa mused with a forced smile.Her past self would have rejoiced. Now, she felt nothing but glum. It was like desiring a toy as a child but losing interest when finally getting a better one as an adult.Besides, what was Jasper's reason
"The durian is also soft inside and sweet in taste," Jonah disagreed. He playfully touched the tip of Alyssa's nose. "Doesn't that sound just like you?"She looked away, adorably feigning anger and letting out a snort. "Anyway, Lyse, you really shouldn't fall into Jasper's trap again. Men are all scumbags!" Liam advised Alyssa, worried that his sibling might reignite her relationship with Jasper."Except for me, Liam," Sean timidly stood up for himself."Me too," Jonah chimed in."Right, right. The guys in our family are pretty decent," Liam hurriedly added."Well, not all. There's this one old man who tarnishes the reputation of Taylor men," joked Alyssa. She crossed her legs.The three men exchanged knowing glances. Winston Taylor immediately came to their minds.…"I don't give a damn!" Mandy scowled when she was being asked to help Jasper. She had always yielded to Alyssa's wishes, but this time, she staunchly refused Alyssa's request for the medications."Mandy, listen
"Tell me the truth, Lyse. Did you catch feelings for him again after that incident?" Mandy asked with concern."Not at all," Alyssa replied firmly. "I'm not going to dig my own grave. I just want to pay him back for what he has done for me." Her heart panicked for a moment, but she soon gathered herself."Good to hear. "Just know that if you ever consider getting back with him, you're out of our lives. It's your family or that jerk," Mandy warned and cast a frosty glance at Alyssa.Alyssa rubbed against the goosebumps on her arm. Her skin prickled at Mandy's threat."Lyse! Mandy!" Colette's voice interrupted as she knocked on the door and entered. She exclaimed, "The dresses for Lyla's birthday party have arrived, and I need your input! I mean, I'm a woman who got married in jeans—I know nothing about women's fashion.""Alright! we'll be right there!" Alyssa replied. Eager to avoid more questioning from Mandy, she grabbed Mandy's arm and headed to see Lyla's dresses.…The thr