"Grandpa." Jasper''s breaths were heavy, and his eyes were dark as the night, concealing deep concern within. Unfortunately, his amygd had been damaged by drugs, sealing off his intense emotions. Despite the turmoil within, there was no way for those feelings to escape. As a result, Jasper appearedpletely cold and heartless.


    Newton and Alyssa exchanged knowing nces, seemingly able to read each other''s minds. Newton quickly wiped his tears and forced a kind smile. "Hey, Jasper... Thankfully, Alyssa was here to look after me, so I''m fine now. Don''t worry."


    Alyssa''s thoughts were still fixed on Newton''s earlier advice. Her eyshes fluttered slightly as she spaced out. It wasn''t until she sensed a cold, masculine presence beside her that she lifted her head, only to find Jasper''s intense gaze locked on hers. He pursed his lips slightly, lowering his eyes.


    In that instant, it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on her heart. Her cheeks flushed pink as she panicked and quickly looked away.


    She felt utterly useless. Deep down, she was still deeply in love with him. Whether his beautiful eyes sparkled like stars or were as dark as night, she would always lose herself in them again and again...


    "You brat, why are you just standing there? You should be thanking Alyssa." Newton grunted angrily, "If it hadn''t been for her, you would''ve lost me!"


    Jasper was about to speak when Alyssa shot to her feet. She didn''t look at Jasper at all. Instead, she smiled meekly at Newton. "Grandpa Newton, I''m d you''re fine now. I still have work to do, so I''ll be heading back. I''ll visit you another day."


    "Alyssa, wait!" Newton called out, wanting to stop her, but she had already left the hospital room, almost as if fleeing.


    Jasper gazed at the empty doorway, a deep look in his eyes.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    "You jerk, why are you spacing out? Go after her, quick!" Newton gathered all his strength and shakily lifted his leg to kick Jasper.


    ...


    Alyssa pressed her hands to her reddened cheeks as she hurried toward the parking lot.


    "Oof!"


    Lost in her thoughts, she hadn''t noticed Jasper standing just a few feet away. When she bumped into him, her face collided with his muscr chest, causing the tip of her nose to sting.


    Jasper''s lips parted slightly, and he narrowed his eyes, gazing down at her head. In a deep voice, he asked, "Ms. Alyssa, why are you so careless? Didn''t you look where you were going?" Alyssa had teared up from the pain. Rubbing her nose, she frowned and retorted, "It''s your fault for popping out of nowhere! Don''t you have anything better to do?"


    With that, Alyssa stepped to her left to storm away.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jasper mirrored her movements.


    Alyssa then moved to the right, only to find him mirroring her actions once again as if he were determined to block her path.


    Frustrated, she bit her lip and turned to leave. Suddenly, Jasper grabbed her arm. With a gentle tug, he pulled her into his arms.


    "W-What are you doing? We''ve broken up!" Alyssa shrieked, a mix of embarrassment and frustration flooding her. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot.


    With a cold look in his eyes, Jasper answered in an emotionless voice, "Yes, we have. I was the one who wanted to break up."


    Alyssa felt a sharp pain pierce her heart and struggled against him. "What the hell are you trying to do now?"


    Jasper said, "Thank you for saving Grandpa today."


    "It was Grandpa Newton who told you to say that, wasn''t it?" Alyssa scoffed, her eyes reddening. "I don''t care about getting forced expressions of gratitude." Agitated, Jasper furrowed his brow. "What do you want, then?"


    Alyssa''s gaze met Jasper''s vacant eyes, her heart heavy with sorrow. Once, those eyes had held warmth and affection, always patient and understanding.


    She remembered the days when


    he''d listened to her rants and tears, offering only gentle smiles andforting words. He''d always indulged in her, never once showing impatience.


    She had no choice but to face the painful truth now-she was no longer important to him.


    Despite everything, she found herself saying, "I want you to promise me something."


    Perhaps she was reluctant to resign herself to this fate.


    Looking at her intently, Jasper urged, "Tell me."


    "I haven''t thought of anything yet, but I''ll let you know once I do." She lifted her chin slightly. "But you must agree to it when I make my request. Only then can that be counted as you repaying me. How about that?"


    "You''re not asking to get back together with me, right?" A look of suspicion shed in Jasper''s eyes.


    Alyssa''s chest tightened. "In your


    dreams! I''ve divorced you and we''ve broken up. Why would I still want be together with you? There are so many good men out there. Why would I limit myself to just you? That would be so low."


    Good men? Was she referring to Justin?


    Those words echoed in Jasper''s mind. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on her wrist.


    "Ouch..." Alyssas shifted her shoulders in a subtle attempt to free herself, feeling delicate and tender.


    "Okay, I promise." Gazing deeply into her eyes, Jasper stated seriously, "I will agree to whatever your request is."


    Alyssa felt a swell of emotion. She sniggered slightly and asked, "What if I asked you tomit murder or hurt someone?"


    "I would do as you asked," Jasper replied without hesitation. "But based on the Alyssa I know, she would never be so cruel." Alyssa''s eyes lit up and a wide smile spread across her face. She raised her left hand. "It''s a deal, then. High five!" "Deal." Jasper''s Adam''s apple bobbed slightly as he returned the gesture.