âLyseâ¦â Liam teared up, feeling bad for Alyssa. He attempted to get her out of Jasperâs arms.
Jonah might seem the gentlest among the four sons by Alyssaâs mom, but that wasnât true at all.
Liam always projected a stoic and aloof image due to the requirements of his profession. Yet, in reality, he was the most soft-hearted and emotional among the Taylor siblings.
He had even shed tears beneath his blanket the year he couldnât make it home for Alyssaâs birthday due to a mission, which went to show his sensitive nature, âIâll hold her,â Jasper refused to let go of Alyssa as he looked at her.
âYou have no right to touch her!â Liam growled at him upon thinking of his poor, divorced sister. âDonât forget the way you abandoned and hurt her! Stop pretending to be a saint. I wouldnât thank you even if you saved her.â
âI never wanted to be thanked.â Jasper paused before adding, âShe means a lot to me. I admit that I had hurt her in the past. What Iâm doing now is making amends.â
âNo, you can never make amends,â Liam interjected sternly. âIf you knew this would happen, you should not have hurt her in the first place. You took the light out of my bright, carefree sister. You will never make up for that, even if you put your life on the line!â
Jasper froze on the spot, as if he was struck by lightning.
âHome⦠I want to go homeâ¦â Alyssa trembled and murmured feverishly in her sleep, cradled in Jasperâs arms.
âLyse, Iâll take you home!â Liam took Alyssa from Jasper without another word. The moment he scooped her soft body up, she surprisingly grabbed Jasperâs black shirt tightly and wouldnât let go.
âDonât go⦠Donât â¦â she mumbled between consciousness.
âIâm not leaving. How could I leave you behind when youâre running a fever?â Jasper whispered. His usual steely demeanor gave way to a softer side.
He turned to Liam and pleaded, âLet me send her to the hospital. Iâll leave once sheâs there.â
âDream on!â Liam glowered at him and barked.
âLiam,â Jonah called out to his sibling and approached him. âLetâs send her to the hospital with Mr.
Beckett â
âBut Jonah-â
*Anyway, Mr. Beckett, Iâll have to thank you for saving Lyse. Do get on the plane with us,â Jonah calmly extended an invitation.
Jasper felt his heart squeezed and replied dejectedly, âThanks.â
Once again, he gently wrapped Alyssa in his arms like recouping something he had lost.
The helicopter Xavier sent over had arrived then, but Jasper gestured at it to return. Then, he boarded the helicopter with Jonah and Liam.
The helicopter took off into the night. All the while, Jasper never let go of Alyssa.
Liam touched her warm forehead. He breathed heavily as tears brimmed in his eyes. He called out to her, âLyse, open your eyes. Iâm by your side. Iâm back.â
âLiam, itâs just a fever. Donât worry too much,â Jonah reassured his brother despite his own worries.
âMs. Alyssa has gone through a lot. She almost fell off the cliff today,â Jasper stated, his gaze fixed on her. The memory of that harrowing moment still haunted him.
That caught Jonah and Liam off guard. They were gripped by lingering fear in the aftermath.
âI merely offered her a helping hand. She saved herself,â Jasper explained.
âJasper Beckett, youâre really a piece of shit,â seethed Liam. âYou are the source of all her suffering.â
âI know. Itâs all my fault,â admitted Jasper. After all the ups and downs in life, he finally grasped the cruelty of his actions toward Alyssa. Hence, he humbly accepted all criticisms directed at him.
âWhy did you marry her if you didnât love her? Why did you give her false hope?â Liam glared at him.
through tears that had rolled down his cheeks.
Liam added, âShe is fond of this mountain. Itâs a special place for her because of you! Sheâs lived her life for you, but what have you ever done for her?â