Alyssa was admitted to a VIP room at Taylor General Hospital. Connected to an IV, she felt utterly drained but far from drowsy.
Jonah sat beside her, carefully tending to the wound on her ankle while resting her leg on his knee.
Alyssa, finally sensing the pain, frowned in silence.
Jonah inquired, âLyse, you werenât at your place in Solana City last night. You didnât come home to Belbanks either. Where did you go?â
His hand trembled slightly as he spoke. Detecting her silence, he pondered, âWere you with Jasper?â
Jonah always approached the topic of Jasper cautiously, knowing it was a sensitive spot for Alyssa. He added, âJulien mentioned you brought him to meet Jasper, but it didnât go well. He also mentioned you received a call and left. Did you meet Jasper afterward?â
Alyssa finally cast him a hollow glance and croaked, âJonah, I hate myself. I feel so shamelessâ¦â
âSilly thing. What are you talking about? You should have self-esteem,â Jonah replied, his heart bleeding for Alyssa. âAnyone who says anything of that kind to my sister will face the consequences.â
He would forsake any religious faith and teachings for his family. All he desired was for Alyssa to lead a happy and healthy life forever.
Alyssa sobbed in Jonahâs arms. She was puzzled by her strong reaction when she saw the photo of Liana and Jasper. Her soul felt shattered.
At that moment, a nurse entered and announced, âMr. Jonah, itâs time to change the dressing on her wound.â
âOkay,â Jonah replied, releasing Alyssaâs arms and stepping back.
The nurse removed Alyssaâs loose patient robe, revealing a silver silk nightdress underneath. Alyssa looked pale and fragile in her petite frame.
Despite having helped Alyssa change her clothes and put her to bed when they were kids, Jonah had to keep his boundaries because Alyssa was a grown woman now.
As he was about to leave the room, he noticed multiple hickeys down Alyssaâs neck and c the corner of his eyes. The marks extended to her chest.
Jonah froze and swallowed hard. Then, he gripped Alyssaâs shoulders, nearly digging his skin.
The nurse was shocked by Jonahâs grave expression. Sensing a storm, she wisely decided to leave him alone with Alyssa.
Jonah demanded to know, âLyse, did Jasper sleep with you? The two of you spent the night together, is that right?â
Alyssa cast a dull stare at him and moved her dry lips. It was a silent admission.
âDid he force himself on you?â Jonah squeezed the words out of his lips.
âNo. I consented,â replied Alyssa.
Jonah felt as though his world had crumbled.
Jonah exited the room with a somber and intimidating expression.
Meanwhile, Silas and Cyrus, who worked in Solana City, and Tatiana, who was in school, hurried to the hospital. Even Axel rushed over.