The determined look on Jasper's face brought the three of them back to the past instantly—to the days when he had loved Alyssa with reckless, all-consuming devotion.
His gaze remained glacial, as though every emotion had been sealed within a dark, frozen abyss. Even so, that he had taken the initiative to visit Alyssa and was willing to stay by her side was proof enough that something was changing.
"Alright, please help us look after Lyse."
Jonah suppressed the storm of emotions rising in his chest as he pushed the hospital ward door open for Jasper.
Jasper's eyes darkened. "Mr. Jonah, could you step inside for a moment? There's something I need to discuss with you."
The two men entered and quietly shut the door.
"Is it urgent, Jasper?" Jonah asked at once.
Jasper met his gaze and replied solemnly, "Remy reached out to me just now."
Jonah's eyes widened. "He contacted you on his own? What is he planning?"
A tempest stirred in Jasper's deep eyes, though his voice remained composed. "He's seen Justin's true colors. He's no longer willing to stand on the devil's side. He wants to work with us to save Amber and destroy Justin's drug laboratory on Domere Mountain."
"Really? Remy is willing to join us?"
The gloom on Jonah's face lifted instantly. His eyes reddened with emotion.
Gripping Jasper's broad shoulders, he asked hoarsely, "Has he... regained his memories? Does he remember who he is-Damien, Lyse's fifth elder brother? One of the Taylors?"
Jasper stiffened. Though relief stirred faintly within him, he struggled to show it. His expression remained controlled. "I can't say for sure yet. But whether he is Damien or Remy, what matters is that he's seen the truth. Who he is... isn't the most important thing right now."
Emotion shimmered in Jonah's eyes. His long lashes trembled slightly.
Jasper wasn't a Taylor. He couldn't fully understand what it meant for them to have their lost family member return—not just in body, but in name and memory.
"And Amber?" Jonah asked anxiously. "How is she?"
Jasper lowered his gaze grimly. "She's alive-but barely. After being used as a test subject and repeatedly injected with experimental drugs, she's in terrible condition. Remy knows he can't afford to wait any longer. He plans to get her out the day after tomorrow.
"When the time comes, Cyrus will lead the police in a raid on the laboratory. Mr. Axel and I will meet Remy to secure Amber and ensure everything proceeds as planned." "Have you told Axel and Cyrus?"
"Not yet. Mr. Axel can be impulsive. If we inform him too early, it might jeopardize the operation."
Jonah nodded gravely. "You're right. Tell Axel only after Remy is fully prepared."
With that, Jonah left the ward, granting Jasper this rare, precious moment alone with Alyssa.
Alyssa lay pale against the stark white sheets. Her lashes cast fragile shadows over her cheeks. The lips that had once been lush and rosy were now drained of color- like a withered rose.
Jasper stood beside her bed, gazing at her for a long time.
A sharp current surged through his chest, making him tremble. The inexplicable sorrow in his heart condensed into a distinct throbbing ache that spread silently through his body.
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He pressed a hand to his chest harder and harder, as if he could crush his own
ribs and smother the pain. But the ache only grew more vivid. More real.
He let out a long breath and finally sat down beside her.
A storm churned in his dark eyes.
Swallowing hard, he lifted a stiff hand and awkwardly brushed her soft cheek. The
instant his skin met hers, his heart convulsed violently.
With the rough pads of his fingers
her
he traced her brows, her nose, lips-so carefully, so tenderly. These
these
sensationsmories were
carved into his very bones.
So... was this how deeply Jasper had once loved Alyssa? So deeply that even the faintest touch felt like diving mercy? So deeply that even if his flesh were destroyed, his soul would still remember her?
"Lyse..." he whispered, like a child learning his first word. Lyse.
Lyse... His dear Lyse...
His breathing grew ragged as chaotic fragments of memory crashed violently into
his mind. Heat rushed to his chest; his blood seemed to surge there with desperate force.
His fingertip lingered at her lips.
And in that instant, the tight, frigid thread of reason snapped.
His mind went blank, and the pounding of his heart dulled into numbness.
He could no longer restrain himself.
The desire burning inside him flared like a wildfire, consuming him from within. Even the blood in his veins seemed to boil.
Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Alyssa's pale ones.
In that moment, every ounce of restraint, abstinence, and rationality crumbled.
Their lips were simply pressed together, nothing more. Yet, the connection felt deeper and more intimate than any fevered kiss.
Jasper knew he should stop before he lost control.
He slowly exhaled, as though releasing the emotions he had locked away for far too
long. Just as he began to pull back, Alyssa's eyes fluttered open.
Jasper's pupils contracted as their gazes locked.
In the next second, Alyssa lifted her arms and looped them around his neck. She
arched upward slightly, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.