was enough to bruise Alyssaâs back. âWhat the hell is wrong with you, Jasper?â
Jasper was fuming with rage. His grip tightened around her wrists. It was as if he was scared she might run from him. Their eyes met.
âYouâve led again and again to me, Alice White, Who wouldnât be upset?â he roared, volce raspy.
âWhen have I ever lied to you?â Alyssa demanded, struggling against the manâs grip. âThe only reason you know nothing about me is because you never cared!
Three years, Jasper Deckelt. I would have told you everything you wanted to know if only you had asked. But have you ever cared to ask me? Did you ever care about me?â
Jasperâs heart skipped several beats, pounding hard in his chest.
âDo you know what i like having for breakfast? What do I enjoy doing on the weekends? What kind of music do I like? I was your wife, and I gave you my all. I paid attention to everything you did, what you loved and hated. But what about you?
âIsnât it hilarious how youâre accusing me of lying right now when you were the cause of your own ignorance? Your own despair?â Alyssa yelled at him, eyes shoving daggers down his throat.
Shame flooded Jasperâs being.
âThree years, and you treated me like some old toy to be put in a corner and gather dust. Every day every single day, I prayed you would come and talk to me, to care about me even a little bit, I would have bared my soul to you.
âBut where did that get me, hm? All I got in the end was was you abandoning me for someone else.â
Abandon?
Jasper trembled slightly as he watched Alyssaâs face turn sad and pale. His heart clenched terribly at the sight.
He recalled he was the one who had abandoned her back then. He remembered how sad and in despair Alyssa was when he forced her to sign their divorce papers.
She had been so heartbroken then. How could she be so carefree now?
âThanks to your cruelty, the disappointment I felt has grown into despair, and any shred of hope I had left had permanently died out. I no longer want anything to do with you. All I want is you out of my life,â
Alyssa growled out, her eyes nearly bloodshot. The look she had on her lace made Jasper shiver.
Lies!
Jasper flinched as If someone had stabbed him in the chest. âHave you really given up on me, Alice?
You must be lying.â
âLying? Hah!â Alice snorted. âWhy would I waste my time trying to lie to you?â
Jasper couldnât help it anymore. âDo you really like Jonah Taylor?â
âYes,â came the firm answer.
âNo, I donât believe you. Youâre only with him so that you can get back at me. Youâre angry at me.
Youâre angry at me because of the divorce!â Jasper yelled, then leaned in close to Alyssa, their noses brushing against one anotherâs.
Alyssa jerked away. âAre you out of your mind? Go see a therapist or something, and leave me alone!â
Jasper then gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. âDo you Do you hate me so much, Alice?
So much so that youâre willing to give yourself to someone you donât love, all to make me upset?â
âUpset? Oh, I am the furthest thing away from upset.â Alyssa grinned. âHe treats me like a goddess, unlike you. Every single day of being with you fell like a prison.
âYou really think Iâd waste my time getting back at you? Bah! Do you have any idea how much Iâd degrade myself doing that? Youâre goddamn proud and one hell of a Jealous peacock! I should have seen through you!â Alyssa gritted her teeth.
Pain shot through Jaspers near. Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!
Right then and there, Alyssa felt like something vital inside her had snapped into two.
Those six words. âthe worst mistake of my life,â echoed in her mind.
She had given him everything, her love, her heart, her soul for three whole years. What was the result?
Nothing but another stain to his familyâs name.
Why did you do this to yourself, Alyssa? Why?
Jasper watched as her eyes slowly welled up with tears, and her complexion turned pale. He quickly let go of her hands, realizing he had misspoken terribly.
He hadnât meant to. Why couldnât he stop himself?
If it was what he genuinely felt, then whatever, but-
âMr. Beckett? Ms. White? Just then, Newtonâs secretary, Ben Gorham, spotted them.
Alyssa quickly moved away from Jasper, forcing a smile on her face. âWhat are you doing all the way here. Mr. Gorham? I thought you were with Grandpa?â
Ben could tell something was off between them but didnât want to comment on it. He said anxiously.
âThereâs been an accident. Iâm on my way to get it sorted out.â
âWhat happened?â Alyssa asked, worried.