Jasper hurriedly felt the temperature of her forehead. Feeling panicked, he took off his coat and shirt


    and


    wrapped them around Alyssa, giving her warmth.


    Alyssa weakly opened her eyes and saw that he only had a ck singlet inside. The tan lines of his


    muscle were right in her face, making him look extra rugged out here in the wild.


    “Is it still cold?” Jasper asked hoarsely, noticing her reddened face.


    “Yes… It’s fr-freezing…” Alyssa said, her teeth chattering.


    Jasper took a deep breath and slowly held her in his arms, pressing her against his chest, as if hoping


    she


    could soak up all the warmth he wanted to give.


    “Still cold?” he asked softly.


    Alyssa leaned against his body, nuzzling into his chest.


    Jasper sighed, one hand gentlybing through her hair as if he was trying to console her.


    Alyssa slowly rxed in his arms, exhaustion making her body go limp.


    Jasper allowed her, silently bringing her hands up so he could check for injuries. Bruises and cuts lined


    her fingers. Dirt and gravel were caked up under her nails.


    He pursed his lips. He couldn’t shake the memory of Alyssa’s resolute will to survive on the


    mountainside


    from his mind.


    Painnced through his heart.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “Don’t risk yourself like this again, okay, Alyssa? You’re not some cat with nine lives!” Jasper huffed,


    actually upset now.


    “Tsk… Why do you care?” Alyssa grumbled, mind heavy and dizzy.


    Until now, she remained as loud and adamant as ever.


    “Why?” Jasper’s face took on a reddish hue. “Can’t you tell?”


    “No, I can’t. Tell me.”


    Words eluded Jasper, and in the end, he couldn’t go through with it.


    “Hmph! Whatever. It has nothing to do with me anyway,” Alyssa scoffed and shut her eyes once again,


    too.


    exhausted to care.


    All she wanted to do now was take a hot bath and fall asleep in herrge,fy bed. She was so tired.


    “Why did you marry me, Alyssa? Is it all because I saved your life once? All to return the favor?” Jasper


    pressed her hand against his heart.


    Part of Alyssa’s inhibitions were gone now due to her fever. She couldn’t even retort anymore,


    “I married you because I loved you.”


    Jasper’s heart skipped a beat.


    “I’ve always hoped to marry you and never expected it toe true.” Tears filled Alyssa’s eyes, though


    they never fell. “I spent 13 years trying to catch up to you, Jasper. My entire youth was spent on you.”


    “What about now? Do you still love me, Alyssa?” Jasper asked, dying to know the answer.


    She gently pulled her injured hand out from his grasp, as if safeguarding her pained heart from more


    suffering.


    Until now, her heart still hurt for him.


    “I don’t feel angry anymore. There’s no hate to be found, either. Naturally, there wouldn’t be any love


    lingering on.”