CHAPTER 10: JASPER

IZZY'S POV,

“You were in love with me? You aren't now?” Tyler asked, staring at me with teary eyes. “I made a mistake, and I swear I am going to change.”

I almost laughed at him because I knew it was all a facade to have me back, but I controlled myself. He wasn't in love with me, he just wanted his inheritance and I was the best tool to help him with that. He had no true feelings for me, and I didn't feel anything for him either.

I was done being his puppet, and the last thing I wanted was to have him back in my life.

Even though it did hurt me when I caught him because I was in love with him for all those years. But, in the last few days, I realized what needed to be done. I wanted more than what he had to offer. I knew I deserved happiness and love, and as I thought about that I found myself back in the arms of Jasper.

‘I have been in love with you since the first day I saw you.’

His words echoed in my head, and that brought a smile to my face. I felt his fingers on my skin and the roughness in his voice made my whole body tense. He had an aura about him that screamed power and authority. I liked that about him, but just as those thoughts came, I reminded myself of the real reason why I went after him.

‘Focus on the plan, Izzy. Jasper is good-looking and speaks nice, but you could never fall for him. He is a bigger playboy than his son. You only need him for your revenge. Nothing more. No feelings.’

“Izzy?! Are you listening to me? I am apologizing here,” he said once again and shook his hand in front of my eyes to pull me back from my thoughts. “You have to trust me here. I am really trying to be a better person this time.”

“I-I... I don't think I can help you with anything, Tyler. I already told you that I don't love you anymore, what else do you want from me?” I confronted him because it was just getting ridiculous now. There was no point in us having that conversation. “Just leave, I don't want your negativity around me anymore.”

“But Izzy—”

“But you cheated on me Tyler,” I said, looking him in the eyes. Having my mom just a few steps away gave me the strength I needed to make things clear with him. “And after hearing your proposal to be open with our marriage, I'm sure it wasn't the first time either. I was in love with you and gave my everything to you, yet you couldn't be truthful to me for once.”

“Izzy—”

“No Tyler, I already told you how I feel about this. Please just leave the house. You'll find thousands of girls—much better than me, you don't need me.” I remembered him saying that he could find someone better than me, just two days ago. It was the reason why I added the last sentence.

“But Izzy, what about the future we planned—”

“I think you should leave, Tyler. Izzy already told you that she's seeing someone else,” Mom added, finally speaking for the first time. She had that protective mother look in her eyes that must have terrified him. “I appreciate you coming here to talk to her, but it's clear she doesn't want you back, so move on with your life. And I suggest you not to come back to my house again.”

“I just need a few more minutes.” He turned to hold my hand in his and it made me jump a little. At first, I thought he was going to grab my wrist and pull me with him. “I promise I'll go, I just need to talk to her.”

“You've talked enough, now leave, or I'm calling your dad,” Mom threatened, and it seemed to work because he was back on his feet instantly. “Leave now!”

“Izzy... I am sorry—”

“Just leave Tyler, I don't want to see your face again,” I said and turned away, so that I don't have to look at him.

He didn't say anything else and walked out of the house. This made me exhale loudly, and I was finally able to relax for a little while before the interrogation started by my mom. She didn't know about Jasper, neither was I planning to tell her about him.

“Who is this mystery guy you met?” she asked, sitting next to me. This brought a smile to my face because her talking like that instantly made me forget the conversation with Tyler. “And why don't I know anything about him?”

“Because he is not real,” I answered, rolling my eyes at the excitement in her voice. “I didn't know what to tell him, so I said the first thing that came to my mind.”

“Why don't I trust you, Miss Elizabeth?” she asked, inching closer to my face. And the way she was smiling down at me made me feel like she knew exactly what was going through my head. “You know I raised you, right? I can tell when you are lying, love.”

“It's really no one, I am not dating anyone. I would have told you if there was someone.”

“Okay, you are not dating anyone, but that doesn't mean that you aren't in love with someone, right?” Seeing the smug on her face I joked about throwing up. Her eyes were almost ready to fall out of the socket when she saw my face. “I can tell that from the glow on your face at the mention of having someone.”

Thankfully, my phone buzzed and saved me from the ongoing interrogation.

I was waiting for another disaster to strike when I saw the number. It was Jasper, so I wasted no time and picked up the call, trying my best to remain calm and respectful. I decided not to be too much and let him speak.

“Can we meet tomorrow? I want to take you on an official date,” he said without any hesitation, but it took me two whole minutes to digest what he was saying. “And I'm not forcing you or anything, you can tell me if you're not comfortable.”

“D-date?” I whispered in the receiver, walking away from my mom because I didn't want her listening to anything. “Are y-you sure about this, Mr. Black?”

“Very. I am not going to take you directly to the Gala,” he spoke from the other side of the call. “I want to show you how much love and care you deserve before we start anything serious. So, if you're comfortable, I'll pick you up tomorrow at 7 o'clock from your place.”

“I-I...” I was at a loss for words, but I soon realized that I needed to play along if I wanted to be at the Gala with him. I exhaled before continuing, “Sounds like a plan, I'll be there on time, waiting for you.”

“Good, I will see you again soon,” he said, sighing in relief. “Bye, Izzy.”

“Bye!”

“And Izzy,” he said just as I was about to end the call. “I will really love it if you can call me Jasper instead of Mr. Black.”