Jasper''s heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drum solo threatening to burst through his chest. He clenched his hand into a fist against the door.


    "Why not?" Winston was perplexed. "Jasper treats you the best. The rtionship between both of you has already stabilized, and you''ve lived together for so long. Why don''t you just register your marriage? That way, things will get a lot easier once your rtionship is legally recognized."


    Alyssa pressed her lips together lightly. "A marriage certificate makes no difference for Jasper and I."


    "How is there no difference? If you ask me, the most realistic way to express one''s love is to give their lover a status that no one else can rece!"


    Winston''s gaze was fiery, and he started getting a little emotional. "The only person I have married legally was your mother. She is the only one who has a special ce in my heart. She was the only wife I had legally. Although it has been many years since she passed, her ce in my heart has never changed. She is still my wife!


    "Right now, people out there will only address you as Ms. Taylor or refer to you as Mr. Beckett''s girlfriend. I know that you''re very much in love with Jasper. So, don''t you want to be known as Mrs. Beckett officially? Isn''t that what you have been pursuing so hard for?"


    Alyssa lowered her eyes and remained silent.


    "My dear, is it... because you''re still bothered by the fact that you were once divorced from him? Is that still a thorn in your side?" Winston asked in a concerned voice.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Jasper felt his heart wrenching in his chest. He wasn''t sure if Alyssa had gotten over the past hurt, but he knew that he hadn''t.


    He was insecure, depressed, regretful, and remorseful. He had once hurt the woman he loved the most. He could never forgive himself for that.


    It was something that had cut him to the bone.


    Naturally, he would never dare to console himself by assuming that Alyssa had forgotten about it. Even though she appeared like she didn''t care and didn''t mention it, it didn''t mean that she had forgotten. "No, Dad. I''ve let go of it a long time ago. Plus, you know me. I''m the type who doesn''t care how much physical pain I go through, but I will not allow myself to feel miserable. So, please don''t overthink it. "The main reason I''m not thinking about getting married yet is because there''s one major issue that still bothers me... And that''s Jameson."


    A look of frigidity came across her eyes. "I won''t be in the mood for anything as long as he is still a problem. I can''t eat or sleep with a peace of mind.


    "Moreover, I know that he isn''t taking any action right now because there hasn''t been any development in my rtionship with Jasper. However, I know him very well. Jasper and I getting married will be the straw that breaks the camel''s back.


    "Just wait and see. When that timees, he will definitely strike Beckett Group and KS Group one after another. He will not show mercy to my friends and family just because he ims that he likes me. "Jameson is like a viper lying in wait in the dark. Once the timing is right, or once he is provoked, he will pounce and deliver a fatal blow on his prey.


    "Landon and Lauren have just been through so much suffering before they finally ended up together. I don''t want anyone from either side of our families or people around us to be hurt again for now." Upon hearing all these from the other side of the door, Jasper was an emotional roller coaster. Once again, he fell in awe of his lover. He was far from her level of broad-mindedness, intelligence, and far- sightedness.


    With his intense love for her, all he thought of was to take the next step in their rtionship. He only thought of giving her a status and making things up to her.


    But he had never considered the possibility of Jameson pouncing and tearing them apart mercilessly if he created such a stir at a time like this.


    Even if they kept their marriage a secret, there was no doubt that Jameson would have his way of finding things out.


    Furthermore, he wanted to have a grand wedding this time. He wanted it to be a loud deration that he was marrying Alyssa.


    Getting married in secret was miserable and disrespectful. He did not want her to suffer through that.


    "Lyse... I never thought that you''d put so much consideration and deep thought into this. I''m really getting on with age. You''ve be more far-sighted than me."


    Winston let out a long sigh. "Since this is the case, just go ahead and make your long-term ns with Jasper. Though, it seems like he''spletely in your control. He won''t be able to run away even if you never ever register your marriage."


    Alyssa giggled. "He wouldn''t dare."


    She sat by Winston''s feet as she gently massaged his legs. "If he runs away, I''ll capture him back and break his legs!"


    Winston remarked, "Why does this sound like what I used to always say to Axel?"


    "What''s the difference? Men need to be disciplined. Otherwise, they''ll misbehave."


    The father and daughter duo burst outughing.


    Jasperughed along silently. He retreated out of the room without making a sound, giving Winston and Alyssa space to continue their conversation. Without a doubt, he understood where Alyssa wasing from. Even so, he felt a sense of disappointment in his heart.


    He really, really wanted to marry her.


    He loved her very much.


    Alyssa fell into a moment of silence after Jasper left. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Can I ask you a question, Dad?"


    "Of course." Winston narrowed his eyesfortably. "When were our father-daughter chats ever so formal? What is it?"


    "Dad, do you love Mom?" Alyssa asked in a serious voice.


    "I do. Very much. I love her the most," Winston answered in an even more serious tone.


    "If you love Mom so much, why


    couldn''t you let her be the only


    woman in your life?" she inquired. At


    the same time, she looked intently at


    Winston with a face filled with


    curiosity.


    At that moment, Winston felt suffocated. His muscles tensed up. The veins on the back of his hand, which he was resting on the armrest of his rocking chair, started to pop.


    "Of course, Mandy, L, and Colene are all great people. I have no qualms about the way they treated Mom, myself, and the rest of us siblings.


    "But I''m just feeling greedy. Out of selfishness, I wish Mom didn''t have to share her husband with other women. I wish that she didn''t have to share the love, which was meant for her alone, with others."


    Upon saying that, Alyssa welled up with tears.


    She felt sad, and her heart felt heavy on Jennifer''s behalf.