?


    Alyssa sped away from Heightsnew Vi toward Sna City Investigative Bureau after hearing the news. Her striking Lamborghini came to a graceful stop at the bureau''s entrance.


    As Alyssa stepped out of the car, she paused. "Jasper?"


    Jasper stood tall and imposing, wrapped in a ck coat, beside a modest Maybach parked under a tree. The biting wind did nothing to diminish his statue-like presence. He had clearly been waiting for her.


    Without hesitation, Jasper hurried toward Alyssa. "Are you cold, Lyse?" He quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around her. Still, he thought it was insufficient, pulling her into a tight embrace.


    "The car''s heating was strong. I''m not cold," Alyssa replied. Concerned, she cupped his icy face with her warm hands. ''Silly, I should be asking you. Why wait outside in this cold? You could''ve waited in the car. The wind is freezing. Did you think it was funny?"


    "I wanted to see you as soon as you arrived," Jasper said, his eyes filled with longing as he kissed her palm. ''Besides, have you forgotten my military past? I''ve endured temperatures below 20 degrees. This is nothingpared to that."


    Alyssa''s eyes welled up with tears as she recalled when they fought alongside one another. Her paralyzed pinky finger twitched subtly.


    Shortly after, Ss arrived breathlessly, looking dashing in his court attire. "You look really cool, Ss!" Alyssa eximed.


    Jasper agreed with a smile. "Indeed."


    Alyssa gave Jasper''s hand a squeeze as she yfully narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh? You''re not jealous?''


    She teased, "You used to have such apetitive streak, always needing to outshine everyone, regardless of whether they were close friends or acquaintances. You''d get uneasy whenever Iplimented someone else and quickly make yourself noticed. Now that we''ve been together for so long, are you feeling less of a need topete?"


    Jasper turned his head and kissed her cheek. "I''ve realized it''s not aboutpetition anymore. Back then, I acted out of insecurity.


    ''You were?''ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    "I worried I wasn''t worthy of being with you and that someone else might take my ce. My insecurity was so overwhelming it often robbed me of sleep."


    Alyssa pouted. "So now that you''ve won me over, you''recent? Does it not bother you anymore?"


    "No," Jasper said, his gaze filled with deep affection. He slipped his hand into his coat, giving her rear a light squeeze, causing her to shudder.


    He continued, "I''vee to realize it doesn''t matter how many people are drawn to you or if you ever change your mind about us. I''ll always love and protect you. My heart will always be


    with you, even if we ever part ways. Once I understood that, everything fell into ce."


    True love wasn''t about possession or fear of loss. It was about allowing the other person to experience the world freely and innocently, like a child.


    Alyssa leaned on his shoulder, feeling safe and warm. But a new fear crept into her heart. She knew Jasper would always love her, but what if she lost him when their love was at its peak?


    Ss interrupted their moment. "Sorry for the wait. Have you been waiting long?"


    "We just arrived," Jasper replied. He opened the car door, keeping an arm around Alyssa. Let''s talk in the car, Ss."


    The trio settled into the car, where the warmth of the interior contrasted with the tension lingering in the air.