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 couldnât survive this ordeal, or if he suffered from long-term side effects, sheâd 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, âYour condition is not looking great. You need to take your medications right away. You cannot wait until the next day!â
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.
âI can tell itâs super cold out there from your hand.â
Jasperâs rough fingertips lightly massaged the back of her hand. He felt sorry at the sight of her scars and croaked, âSorry for making you come all the way at this hour.â
âIf you feel sorry, you should take your medications on time! Why kick a fuss?â She tried to calm herself down and withdrew her hand from his grip. âAre you a baby or what? Do you need me to feed you your medications?â
âNo, thatâs not it,â explained Jasper. He swallowed in frustration and whispered, âI couldnât think of any other way to see you, Alyssa. I just wanted to meet with you.â
âNow that Iâm here, can you please take your medications?â Alyssa questioned.
Jasper lowered himself despite his usual aggressive and authoritative behavior, but that did not sway her.
She recalled Liam and Seanâs warning and felt a growing aversion and impatience toward Jasper.
She glanced at her wristwatch and urged him, âHurry up and take your medications. I need to go home to Belbanks. We donât often have Liam back for dinner. I donât have time to waste on you!â
Her harsh words stung him, and he clenched his fists. She had once been his caring wife, but now her patience for him had worn thin.
He had no one to blame but himself for her change. He regretted his past behavior to no end.
The road to win back Alyssaâs affection was long and tenuous, but he wanted to give it a go until he could âAlyssa, I am in the hospital because of you,â Jasper argued.
Since Alyssa did not soften at his pitiful look, he shamelessly resorted to guilt-tripping for more time together. âI almost lost my life because of you. You canât just leave me here and never ask about me.â
âWhat do you expect me to do, then?â She gave him a scalding glare.
âTake care of me until Iâm discharged,â he proposed, his eyes fixed on her radiant face.
Alyssa burst into laughter at the audacity of his request. She retorted, âIâve never met anyone as shameless as you.â
Indeed. Jasper was aghast at his behavior, but he was merely imitating Landon.
He might not have pursued women before this, but he had watched Landon going after ladies. Any female would succumb to a manâs passionate pursuit.
He was clueless about the passionate part of the equation, but the least he could do was to execute the pursuit.
âListen carefully, Jasper. Iâm not your wife or your house servant. I have no reason to look after you,â
she began coldly. âYou didnât appreciate my previous attempts to care for you, and you even found it annoying. But youâre begging for me to stay now. Is there something wrong with your head?â
âThatâs because I love you, Alyssa Taylor!â Uncertain of the best way to win her heart, he could only confess his feelings with a passionate and sincere gaze. âI donât care what you think of me. You can hate me or be disgusted by me. It doesnât matter.â