âMr. Jasper wears his watch all year round. Itâs not because he likes to do so. It is so that he can cover up the scar on his wrist.â
Alyssa was his wife. Naturally, she knew about his scar.
However, she had thought it was a battle scar he received from the battlefield during his military days.
She never expected there to be such a painful history hidden behind that long, terrifying scar.
âIâm sure you must have been curious about why Mr. Jasper insisted on staying by Lianaâs side back then, given that she was such a cunning, selfish, and materialistic woman.
âThat was all because he places too much value on his relationships. He was also naive as he had never come in contact with any other woman other than her.
âPlus, she was also the one who discovered him in time and saved him when he slit his wrist that year.
If not for her, Mr. Jasper probably wouldnât be here.â
Rosie rubbed her swollen eyes and continued, âNot only that, when Mr. Jasper was young, he was labeled as an illegitimate child. His schoolmates ostracized him. No one was willing to get close to him except Liana.
âI was quite puzzled at the time. I wondered how such a young girl could have the patience and maturity that superseded her peers.
âIt turned out that it was all by Sophiaâs instruction. She had orchestrated it all! And her motive was so that she could control Mr. Jasper through Liana!
âIt was such a misfortune for Mr. Jasper. He was still so young when player, the enemyâs niece, contributed to his undoing!
âWww. of all souls, did hardship choose Mr. Jasper as its canvas?â
Rosie couldnât help but cry as she recounted.
Alyssa was in disbelief, and all her thoughts had vanished. It felt as though a lightning bolt had struck her, leaving every nerve in her body devoid of sensation.
The profound shock robbed her of words, rendering her speechless. Naturally, she hated Liana to the bone.
Suddenly, Alyssa comprehended the reason behind Jasperâs unwavering determination to be with Liana.
Perhaps, back then, he was innocently under the impression that she loved him. Maybe even thinking that Liana was sincere toward him and that she was his lifesaver and guiding light.
No wonder he had no room in his heart for her then. In his position, she would have exhibited identical behavior.
âWith that said, Mr. Jasper has truly repented. He has also completely moved on from that Gardner bitch.â
The edges of Alyssaâs eyes betrayed a reddish tint. Rosie met her gaze squarely and shared, âI encountered Xavier that day when he returned to Seaview Manor to gather some of Mr. Jasperâs possessions.
âHe told me youâve found out what happened at the East Side Phoenix. Lake villa. I was told that you got very mad at Mr. Jasper because of that. You thought he kept that villa because he still cared for Liana.â
âRosie, Iâ¦â Alyssa stuttered bitterly. The look in her eyes was hazy.
âXavier is normally all smiles. But that day, he cried his eyes out The thought of how Xavier was the other day made Rosie feel powerless and distressed. âHe told me that if you and Mr. Jasper were not going to reconcile, he would remain a sinner for the rest of his life.
âHe said he would be too embarrassed to stay by Mr. Jasperâs side. He wanted to resign-finishing his work and handing everything over.â
âResign? But why?â Alyssa asked with a look of surprise.
âHe said that on the same night after Mr. Jasper and Liana separated, Mr. Jasper already ordered him to sell the villa. He had been instructed to burn everything related to Liana-not to leave a single trace of her behind.
âIt was just that the property market at Solana City wasnât great at the time. There were no interested buyers, and Xavier had his hands full. So, he ended up pushing this task on the back burner.
âAfter that, he said Mr. Landon had brought Mr. Jasper to that house to stay that particular night. You went over to look after him but ended up seeing what you shouldnât have seen.
âWhen Mr. Jasper woke up, he almost beat Mr. Landon into a pulp. Things got really awkward between the both of them after that. It almost cost them their brotherhood of 20 years.â
Alyssaâs eyes widened slowly, and her breathing became uneven in response.
âXavier was shocked. He could barely sleep for the next few days. Now that he has dealt with the house and things, he was trying to find. a suitable opportunity to apologize to you in person.
âHe doesnât care if you scold him, beat him up, or command him to do anything. He just doesnât want you to ignore Mr. Jasper.â
âTo be frank, Mrs. Rosie, that incident is already past Alyssa held tightly onto Rosieâs hand. She said in a hushed tone, âItâs true that I was furious. I just didnât want to see anything related to Liana around him. But now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, I am not angry anymore. I mean it.â
âI understand! I truly get you! Mr. Jasper harbors no ill intentions, nor is he a deceitful man. He only has one shortcoming-he possesses poor emotional intelligence. Mr. Jasper is really dumb!
âI noticed your anger toward Mr. Jasper tonight. What did he do wrong? Tell me, and I will teach him a lesson.
âIâll spank him with my shoe to vent on your behalf. Then, Iâll make him apologize to you in person!â
Rosie exclaimed with a face full of righteous anger.
The way she spoke was as if she were Alyssaâs family.
Tears brimmed in Alyssaâs eyes as she enveloped Rosie in a tight embrace.
In that fleeting moment, she almost shared with Rosie the painful truth about her infertility. However, in the end, she held back, tears. still present, choosing to keep the secret within.
âMrs. Rosie, thank you for telling me all this. And thank you for loving me. Iâm doing well, reallyâ¦â
It was well into the lonesome hours of the night.