In an instant, Landon felt like he had been shot in the heart. The pain caused his sturdy body to


    tremble.


    "Back in the Beckett family, Lauren had no sense of self, and she wasn''t happy at all. Now that she''s


    with you, she''s be the woman you keep by your side, living life ording to your arrangements


    and preferences. I don''t think being toopliant is good for her."


    Jasper lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine. "Take a few days apart from each other to calm down.


    It''s a chance to think about the future of your rtionship and how you want to proceed."


    "Jasper... do you even hear what you''re saying?"


    Landon mmed his hands on the table, causing the wine in the ss decanter to ripple. His eyes


    were redder than the wine within.


    "When you pursued Alyssa, I never once asked you to give up! Now, when I need advice, you don''t


    help... and you even want me to give up?


    "In the end, I''m just a worthless and irresponsible bastard in your eyes! You never wanted Lauren and


    me to be together. From the beginning, you never intended to truly entrust Lauren to me! I really regret


    ever being friends with you!"


    Jasper frowned at those words. "Landon, you''re being too one-sided."


    "If it was Alyssa, and I asked you to give up on her, could you? I''m asking you, could you?"


    Landonughed bitterly. "You couldn''t, could you? Losing Alyssa would kill you, wouldn''t it? Well, it''s


    the same for me. What''s the fucking point of me living if I lose Lauren?


    "When you said I should reconsider this rtionship and take Lauren away from me... you''re killing me.


    Not only that, you''re scattering my ashes!"


    "Lyse and Lauren are different. How much can Lauren endure? Not to mention setbacks, just the


    slightest stimulus could make her world copse!"


    Jasper''s eyes darkened. His worry and anxiety at this moment were as if he were choosing a son-in-


    law for his daughter. "She can''t endure what ordinary people can, and she can''t withstand what


    ordinary people can bear.


    "To love her, you need courage, determination, and patience far beyond those of ordinary people. But


    your actions today have clearly shown that you''ve lost patience. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have handled


    the situation so forcefully."


    Landon''s heart sank, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.


    This time, he had indeed been in the wrong, and he couldn''t me anyone else. Just as the tension


    reached its peak, a clear and loud voice rang out. "What''s with all the noise in the middle of the night?"


    Both men looked up and saw Alyssa standing with her hands on her hips. Her gaze was sharp as she


    looked at them from the direction of the living room.


    "Lauren''s awake, but she''s a bit weak," Alyssa said, herplex gaze falling on Landon''s gloomy face.


    "Go in and see her."


    Landon felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He rushed madly upstairs.


    Meanwhile, Alyssa walked up to Jasper. She couldn''t help but frown and sigh softly.


    Seeing her visibly tired, Jasper felt a pang of heartache. He reached out to take her hand and pulled


    her gently between his open legs. He then wrapped his arms around her slender waist.


    Remaining seated, he looked up at her, his gaze burning with affection. As he rubbed her waist


    indentation, he said softly, "Are you tired? I''ll apany you back to the room. Take a rest first. Lauren


    has me here. You don''t need to worry."


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    "I''m not tired." Alyssa''s voice was light.


    "You''re not tired? You''re toozy to even say one more word."


    Jasper picked her up and ced her on hisp. Leaning down, he kissed her softly on her crimson lips.


    His Adam''s apple bobbed. "If you don''t want to go back to the room, just rest in my arms."


    "No way. Your body is so hard. It''s notfortable at all."