"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
Although Jennifer had passed, Alyssa felt grateful to Lyla for adding a year to Jennifer's life. Thanks to Lyla, she enjoyed one more year of childhood happiness with her mom.Later, it was Lyla who had taken care of her like a mom when she miscarried. As time passed, Alyssa did not harbor resentment for Lyla anymore. She was a human with feelings and couldn't bring herself to hate a woman who was consistently nice to her for two decades.There was no reason for Alyssa to dislike Lyla, especially when Jennifer herself didn't blame Lyla for anything."Lyla, we'll have the party just as Winston wants it," Alyssa advised. She held onto Lyla's arm like a daughter. Alyssa continued, "This is not only his wish—it's mine, too. I have never properly celebrated your birthday in the last 20 years. I feel a little regretful about it.""Don't be silly, darling," gasped Lyla with widened eyes. "I'm the one who refuses any huge celebrations. It has nothing to do with you!""If so, let us th
Finally, Mandy handed Alyssa the two medications, one for internal injuries and the other for external wounds, both developed by Lovelace Pharmaceuticals.The next day, Alyssa tasked Sean to deliver the drugs to Jasper. Weirdly, Jasper had his pride in front of his romantic rival and refused to show his weak side. When he noticed that Sean arrived alone, his disappointment swelled as he had hoped to see Alyssa. In an instant, his high spirits crumbled. "Where is she?"He leaned his stocky body against the headboard. He looked pitiful, with a hint of loneliness etched between his brows.None of it mattered when Alyssa wasn't there for his pity party."Ms. Alyssa is busy. She wanted me to deliver these to you," Sean answered. Placing the package of rare medications by the headboard, he cast a chilly glance at Jasper's pale face. "She mentioned that the external injury medication should be applied thrice a day, while the one for internal injury should be applied once a day."
"M-Mr. Beckett?" Xavier exclaimed in panic and hit the emergency button. Xavier grabbed some napkins and wiped the blood off Jasper's lips as he pleaded, "You can't keep going like this! Please put an end to your confrontation with Madam and take the medications she sent you.""I won't," Jasper replied adamantly despite the throbbing chest pains. His eyes carried a deep sadness as he declared, "This is … the only way to get Alyssa back to my side. It's my only chance to spend time with her. I'll put my life on the line just to see her once."…"What did you say? That bastard refused to take his medications? But why?" Alyssa growled when Sean interrupted her family dinner to update her. She immediately lost her appetite from all the frustration."He said he'd only take his medications if you meet with him," Sean fumed. "Give him an inch, and he takes a mile! "Not only is he ungrateful for your help, but he's also resorting to threats. Who does he think he is? Ms. Alyssa, you h
All of a sudden, Landon recalled that he was in a hospital and did not end up lighting the cigarette. After a pause, Jasper inhaled deeply and said in a hushed voice, "Landon, I think … I might have fallen for Alyssa."What the heck? The cigarette between Landon's lips trembled. He came very close to leaping out of his seat in shock.Everyone could see that Jasper was smitten with Alyssa, except for Jasper himself. Yet, hearing him admit it was both refreshing and cathartic."I am in love with her. That's why I want her back by my side. I'd like to try pursuing her," Jasper confessed in a shaky voice and raised his head. He had a deep and sincere look in his eyes."You, going after the opposite sex? Are you sure you can do that?" Landon pressed on with an astonished look."There is a first time for everything. I'll have to give it a shot," Jasper replied. He cast a judgmental glance at Landon. "Even if my attempt fails, I still have you as my advisor, albeit an ineffective one."
Jasper and Alyssa were alone in the room after Landon left. Alyssa had learned from Xavier that Jasper had coughed up a significant amount of blood earlier that day, and this news deeply troubled her.If Jasper couldn't survive this ordeal, or if he suffered from long-term side effects, she'd never be able to make up to him. The burden of guilt would haunt her every day.She went up to his bed with a sour face and grabbed his wrist. Then, she started checking his pulse.His eyes widened. Alyssa looked as serious as an experienced doctor. She announced, "Your condition is not looking great. You need to take your medications right away. You cannot wait until the next day!"She was angered by his condition. Just as Alyssa was about to release his hand, he surprised her by wrapping her small, cold hand with his own.His action took her aback. Her breathing was caught in her throat."I can tell it's super cold out there from your hand." Jasper's rough fingertips lightly massaged the
"I love you, Alyssa Taylor. I've fallen for you."Alyssa held her breath and stumbled backward without knowing it. Only she would understand the mixed feelings from hearing Jasper's love confession.They could hear each other's heart beating in the silence."I would have accepted your confession right away if it happened in the three years we were married. But it's too late now. I told you before that my feelings for you had expired. I no longer love you," Alyssa responded with a stoic look in her eyes."I'm sorry. I know my confession comes too late, but I'm not one to give up when I set my mind to something," Jasper argued, his forehead dotted with sweat. He wanted to go up to her but feared that he might scare her off. "It's fine if you don't love me. I'll be the one who sacrifices for you this time around. I'll—"He wanted to say, "I'll love you". He never told Liana he loved her, but he had an urge to use the word on Alyssa."Enough. I do not need the love from a man I'm n