Cold sweat beaded Jasper's forehead as he staggered down the dimly-lit corridor, panting heavily and bracing a hand against the wall for support.
With trembling fingers, he fumbled inside his breast pocket for his medication. But just as he managed to pull the bottle out and tip it toward his palm, his grip gave way. It slipped, sending pills scattering across the floor.
His bloodshot eyes widened in frustration. "Dammit!"
He tried to crouch down to gather the scattered pills, but the agonizing headache and sudden vertigo derailed his movements completely. He couldn't make his body cooperate.
"Jasper! What's wrong?"
Right on cue, Jonah and Julien rushed into the corridor, flanking him on both sides to catch his weight and steady him against the wall.
Julien quickly scooped the medicine bottle off the floor, tipped a few tablets into his palm, and fed them to Jasper. His eyes were filled with concern. "Relax, Jasper. Take deep breaths."
Jasper shut his eyes and followed Julien's instructions. He clenched his fists, digging his fingernails deep into his palms, using the sharp, localized sting to anchor his drifting consciousness.
Gradually, the pain ebbed. He leaned heavily against the wall, head tilted back, his face pale and slick with sweat.
"He's still getting these episodes, and they're just as brutal as before," Jonah murmured, watching Jasper's struggle with a heavy chest.
"Jasper, let us help you upstairs so you can rest," Julien urged, worry clouding his eyes.
"No need. I've taken my medication. I'll be fine soon." Jasper drew in a ragged breath, his head shaking weakly. "Tonight is supposed to be a celebration for your family's reunion. Lyse is so happy. If I suddenly vanish, she'll know instantly that something is wrong. I don't want her to worry."
Jonah and Julien exchanged a heavy glance. Who could claim Jasper no longer loved Alyssa? He loved her too much. Even when his body failed him, even when he was forced to be cold and distant, she was his first thought. That was a fact that would never change.
Julien's eyes welled with tears. "We'll find a way, Jasper. These attacks are happening less often now, aren't they? I'm going to find a solution to flush the toxins out of your system. I swear I'll find a cure for you."
"To be honest... just being allowed to stay near her, even like this quiet and at a distance is enough for me," Jasper said, his gaze dropping to the floor.
The sheer weight of his illness had already broken the heart of the woman he loved. Over time, a quiet sense of unworthiness had taken root deep inside him.
"You see how I am. I could collapse at any second. I can't protect her anymore. It's better for both of us if I keep my distance."
"Jasper..." Jonah and Julien choked out together.
Jasper forced a broken smile. "That way, she won't expect anything from a useless man. If she has no expectations, she won't be disappointed."
Jonah shook k his head, his eyes dim. "Jasper, you know damn well that Lyse's love for you doesn't come with conditions she doesn't expect a protector and she doesn't care what state you're in. She just wants to be with you.
"She won't blame you for being sick. But if you push her away? That's the equivalent
of pointing a gun at her heart and pulling the trigger. It's the cruelest thing you could do to her."
Julien nodded fiercely. "Don't leave her, Jasper. She can't live without you."
Jasper kept his head bowed, his fists tightening. He knew she couldn't live without him-he understood that. And God knew he didn't actually want to leave her side. Yet his frailty gnawed at him.
Just then, his phone rang. When he glanced at the screen, he saw Cyrus' name.
"We haven't heard from Cyrus in days because of his caseload, and he missed the family dinner," Jonah urged, shifting gears instantly. "For him to call out of the blue like this something must have happened. Answer it."
Jasper hit the loudspeaker icon. "Hey, Cyrus. I'm at your family's place. Jonah and Julien are here. Get straight to it if you don't mind."
"Jasper, something major has happened." Cyrus' tone was grim. "It's bad news, but honestly, it's a blessing we found out now rather than later."
Even Jonah, usually the calmest, snapped, "Stop stalling, Cyrus. Just say it."
"A few hours ago, hikers filed a
report with the local precinct. They found a body up on Borean
Mountain, out in the suburbs," Cyrus
paused, his voice dropping an
octave The DNA results justhit our
system, and the deceased is Sheryl
Gillis, the physician who was
working under Justin."