"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
Right after Alyssa entered Jasper's room, Sean immediately got a call from Liam. He picked up. "Hi, Mr. Liam.""Sean, as her secretary, why didn't you immediately report her whereabouts to us?" Liam interrogated Sean right away. "Why are you at the Solana City Memorial Hospital with Lyse? Is she there to see Jasper Beckett?"Jonah chimed in calmly, "Liam, calm down."Liam, usually gentle, was only out of character when it came to matters concerning his sister's well-being. Sean was shocked by Liam's intel and gasped, "Mr. Liam, how … how did you know? We kept it a secret!""GPS tracking."Jonah sighed helplessly. "Liam almost put to use his method to track criminals. Tracking down Lyse was a piece of cake."Sean was rendered speechless."Liam, stop worrying about Lyse. Even if you scold her, given her character, she will not listen to you and come home. Just let her be. She's an adult," advised Jonah, who seemed unbothered by the incident."I will station a team of guards to
Jasper also clutched his sleeve and struggled with the weight of guilt and pain.Alyssa had been wrong about him. He wanted to tell her that his feelings were not fleeting. Was his love worthless just because he discovered it late?13 years ago, he had gone through a life-and-death experience with her. Years later, they went through the same thing. They seemed fated to be with each other.For the first time, he felt the pain of not being able to express himself. It was a suffocating feeling. Still, he remained silent because it was not the time to make lofty declarations. He needed to show his love through actions.Although Alyssa's fever had subsided, she still felt a little weak, especially after the trouble she was put through in the past three days. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow without even keeping guard against Jasper.Meanwhile, Jasper fixed his eyes on her, like a guardian, without any hint of sleepiness.When he confirmed that she was asleep, he ro
When Alyssa opened the lid of the food containers, her eyes widened at the array of Belbanks delicacies. The plating was immaculate, and the food was both aromatic and delicious. To her surprise, those were all her favorite dishes at home. Her stomach rumbled."I heard that Jasper Beckett sent his people to buy the food from Belbanks at 5:00 am. The containers are insulated, so the food is still hot," Sean explained robotically as he laid out the breakfast.He was well aware that Jasper had made a move to pursue Alyssa. Sean had been in love with Alyssa and did not want to interfere in her love life, but he didn't want her to date Jasper."Is he crazy? Nobody wanted him to do that!" Despite her complaints, she couldn't help but shove a hashbrown into her mouth and chew away happily.Sean smiled wryly at her reaction.Suddenly, they heard a raspy voice that almost sent Alyssa choking on her food. "Ms. Alyssa, is the food delicious?"She coughed violently and pressed a hand aga
Jasper didn't have a choice. The men surrounding Alyssa were all distinguished in their own right. Now, he had another Taylor sibling to worry about—Liam, the young colonel."Lyse, he didn't do anything to you, did he?" Liam held Alyssa's shoulders and examined her from head to toe."I'm fine! Let's leave, Liam," suggested Alyssa. She tried to drag Liam away, worried that war would break out between Liam and Jasper at any second.To her dismay, her worst fear came true. Liam addressed the others coldly, "Jonah, Sean, please leave with Alyssa. I'll join you shortly.""Liam!" Alyssa called out to him, her tone tinged with concern. She knitted her brows."Lyse, let's go." Jonah wrapped an arm across her shoulder and gave Jasper a knowing look. He then whispered in Alyssa's ear, "You know Liam is the calmest and the gentlest of all, don't you? Don't worry. He knows where to draw the line."She let out a sigh and left with Jonah. After all, it was unlikely that anything serious wo