âCalm down? Calm down?I donât evenknow if my daughter will survive the night! She has shed tears and blood for you, Jasper. She might not even live to see another day! Donât tell me to calm down!âRosaline screamed.
She continued, âIf you didnât love my Lia, then why did you lie to her? Why did you pro mise you would marry her? My Lia is too sweet a girl. When you wanted to kill yourself all those years ago, she rescued you! How could you do this to her? Have you no heart?â
Jasperâs heart ached dully. Those dark memories flooded his chest and mind, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Those memories consumed his thoughts until they were all he could think about.
â¦
Alyssa had been sent to the hospital to have her wound bandaged up, thanks to Jameson Schmidt.
She had asked Sean to stay back and look after Tatiana. She was concerned that Tatiana would be frightened by the sight of her injury.
Meanwhile, Tatiana kept blaming herself for her sisterâs accident, making Seanâs heart clench painfully at the sight. He felt like one more blow might just knock the poor girl out for good.
Thankfully, Alyssa had dodged slightly when facing the attackerâs blade, so the cut was only skin-deep.
When she exited the ER, her arm had been treated with medicine and wrapped in gauze. She even got a tetanus shot just to be safe.
Alyssa tossed aside her dirty, torn sweater, revealing her wine-red silk dress.
Jameson kept a watchful eye on her. His gaze turned seductive as it lingered on her long lashes and delicate smile.
He took his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.âHere. Itâs cold out.â
âNo, thank you.âAlyss a quickly removedit, but Jameson snugly wrapped it around her, even buttoning the front. 7 âArenât you worried your sister andassistant will freak out if they see your injury? Keep it on for now.â
Alyss a pursed her lips, no longer trying to take the coat off. This man was too kind and gentle with her, always knowing just what to do. She found herself unable to refute his gestures.
âWhat were you doing in theneighborhood, sir?â
âI live in the area.âThat was a lie. Hiscompany had a development project nearby, but he didnât reside anywhere near the location.
âOh? How coincidental.â
âYouâre the strongest woman Iâve met.You didnât flinch once when the nurses were tending to your wound. Even I grimaced a little,â Jameson changed the topic, never looking away from her.
âYouâll be surprised how many women areas tough as I am, sir. Iâm sure youâll be lucky to meet some of them.âAlyssa smiled.
That made Jameson grin.
âOh, but I donât want anyone else. Justyou,â Jameson thought to himself.
âSir, I appreciate your concern andassistance thus far, but unexpectedly being held by someone I have no connection with or knowledge of â¦
âI realize it might have been aspontaneous act on your part, but Iâm uncomfortable with getting too close to strangers,â Alyssa expressed. She distinctly disliked it when Jameson princess carried her.
âI apologize. I did the first thing that cameto mind when I saw you were hurt.âJameson nodded lightly.âIâll be more careful.â
Alyssa hummed in acknowledgment, pleased. He was genuine enough for her to let this go.
âOh, by the way, I donât believe weâveintroduced ourselves. What is your name, sir?â
Jameson opened his mouth, about to answer, when a cold, harsh voice called from behind them.
âAlyssa Taylor.â