“What is this? Highway robbery?” Alyssa snapped, eyes scanning him up and down.


    “You left is a hurry from the hospital, so I didn’t have a chance to speak to you,” Jasper said gently,


    Ignoring her frigidity


    “We wouldn’t have met there if it didn’t concern Lauren’s well-being. There’s nothing more to say


    between us.” Alyssa turned and marched straight for the vi gates.


    She added, “I’ll have someone send over the next batch of medicine for the second stage of your


    healing. If you want to live a long life, make sure you take them on time.”


    “Lyse, wait.” Jasper reached out to hold her hand.


    But Alyssa stopped just then. “By the way, do ry a message of mine to Landon. I’m aware of his


    feelings for Lauren, and I vehemently disagree with it.”


    Jasper blinked rapidly, frowning.


    aw, I would “I know I’m no longer Lauren’s sister-inw but an outsider, and even if I were still her in-


    law, never have the right to step in on her personal affairs so long as her parents were still breathing.


    But


    unfortunately, I insist on stepping in.”


    There was a a hint of anger in Alyssa’s tone as she continued, “Right now, the only person who could


    help Lauren in your family is Grandpa, but you know just as I do what condition he is in right now. He’s


    getting older, and he may not have the energy to be concerned with Lauren’s affairs too much


    anymore.


    “Lauren’s parents are basically there for show, and so are you. When have you evere to her aid


    first thing v


    when she was in trouble all this time? You clearly have no capability to keep her safe, and she’s


    clearly not your priority.”


    Jasper’s heart winced with pain as he slowly balled a hand into a fist.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “That’s why I’m going to care about Lauren. From now on, I’m treating her as my sister and family,”


    Alyssa


    said sternly, “And I will never, ever agree to a rtionship between her and Landon!”


    “Why not?” Jasper asked, taking a step closer to her, meeting her steely gaze.


    ????


    Misunderstanding his gaze for a challenge, Alyssa scowled, “Why not? Do you not care about your


    sister’s


    well-being, Jasper Beckett? Or do you just not care that Landon is going to use her for his selfish


    desires,


    all because she’s Sophia’s daughter?”


    Jasper was angry now. Not at Alyssa, really. He could empathize with where she wasing from. But


    he


    “Landon genuinely likes Lauren. You saw how much she depended on him today, Lyse, how much she


    wants to be with-”


    “Is being dependent the same thing as like? Don’t forget that Lauren is on the spectrum and has rarely


    attended a day of school. How could someone like her, who’s never been exposed to the real world,


    know what a rtionship between adults is like?” Alyssa eximed, her voice echoing in the night air.


    “Would you give them one chance, Lyse, if Landon truly likes Lauren?” Jasper was nearly begging by


    now.


    “First of all, you know just how hedonistic a lifestyle Landon has lived all these years with all those


    women he’s slept with.


    “I know there’s a possibility for him to turn away from those one day and settle down, but Lauren is too


    ipatible with him..


    “She doesn’t know how to keep him under control or meet him on equal footing. I can’t watch Lauren


    waste away her youth like this.


    “Secondly, do you really think marrying into the Harper family is the right decision for Lauren?” Alyssa


    asked sternly.


    Jasper winced. He and Landon rarely spoke about thetter’s family, even though they’d been close


    friends for so many years.