v


    On the street opposite the KS Group building, Jameson leaned casually against his car door, hands in


    pockets, basking in the twilight glow as he fixated on the building’s entrance.


    He had been waiting for Alyssa to reach out to him. Even if they couldn’t meet, he would be satisfied


    with a text from her.


    Disappointment settled in, confirming his suspicions that he did not hold any weight to her.


    Worse, he knew for sure that Alyssa had a ce for Jasper in her heart. It was concealed beneath the


    aftermath of her divorce and reluctance to admit her feelings.


    Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and put on an icy look that contrasted the brilliant glow


    around him.


    *Jimmy!”


    Upon hearing Alyssa’s sweet voice, he immediately put on a warm smile. “Lyse, you’re finally here.”


    She shuffled up to him, hands on her back, and tilted her head quizically. “From the sound of it, you’ve


    waited for a long time. Is that true? I thought you just arrived.”


    Her demeanor was like a cheerful teen-the same girl who had saved him from the abyss 15 years ago.


    Every time he saw her, he couldn’t move his eyes from her, even if he typically remained stoic around


    Women


    “I’ve been waiting for a while. I’ve been yearning to see you since Madam L’s birthday,” he replied


    with a hint of disappointment. Coupled with his pale face, he appeared unexpectedly vulnerable.


    She was taken by surprise at his words and was reminded of her abrupt departure from the party. She


    hadn’t had a proper conversation with Jameson and Lily that night, which she considered impolite of


    her.


    “I’m so sorry. You must have heard about the incident. Everything was a mess. I was worried about the


    safety of my family, and that’s why-”


    “Lyse, you really should apologize to me,” Jameson interjected, suddenly serious.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Perplexed, she asked, “Hm?”


    “You should apologize for not turning to me when you were in great trouble,” Jameson asserted,


    stepping


    closer to her with a touch of disgruntlement. “Do you not trust me? Or do you believe I wouldn’t be of


    much help?”


    “Jimmy, that’s not how I see you…”


    “I deeply regret arrivingte, just after Jasper. If I had been there earlier, I could have protected you,


    too,” he argued, his tone growing intense. Regrets gnawed at his soul.


    “Wow, you totally shouldn’t! It was such a violent attack. You could have ended up with head trauma,”


    she said, waving her hands at him.


    Each time she met his gaze, an unsettling feeling overcame her. She said, “Jasper took the blow for


    me. You should stay out of this.”


    “Why him and not me? Do you genuinely believe only Jasper Beckett could protect you?” he pressed,


    his voice taut with tension.


    She leaned backward out of shock. “No, that’s not the case. I don’t want you to be hurt. Why would you


    insist on taking the blow for me? You shouldn’t ever consider that, even if it were to save me.”


    A warmth enveloped Jameson, a sensation he hadn’t felt in a while. Gazing at her tenderly, he asked.”


    Lyse, you care about me, don’t you?”


    Alyssa felt shaken. Jasper had often posed the same question after their divorce. Every time, she’d


    chastise and mock him harshly. Despite that, she still felt a pang of pain deep in her heart when he


    asked that question.


    In contrast, she felt nothing when Jameson did the same, which was totally fine. It further proved that


    Jasper meant more to her than Jameson.