Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Jasper's eyes dimmed, and his chapped lips curled downward in a tight frown.

Alarm bells rang in Xavier's mind. He rushed forward and stood in front of Jasper's hospital bed as if shielding him from a threat.

For once, Justin's usual bright demeanor was replaced by something colder—grim and calculating. His eyes burned with unspoken

anger, and it was clear he wasn't here for a social call.

Upon noticing all that, Winston frowned.

"Mr. Justin, Mr. Jasper is injured. | wonder which fool let his dog loose to harm him." Through gritted teeth, Xavier urged Justin to

leave. "Mr. Jasper doesn't wish to entertain any visitors right now. He needs rest. Please leave!"

Upon hearing that, the look in Justin's eyes dimmed subtly.

In reality, Xavier had no idea who the mastermind was. He was simply blowing the matter out of proportion, driven by his

frustration and anger.

Unexpectedly, Justin had taken his casual remark to heart.

Not wanting Winston to witness the awkward tension between the Becketts, Jasper hissed under his breath, "Xavier, don't be rude

to Justin."

Justin ignored Xavier but looked to Winston instead. He lifted the corners of his lips slightly into an elegant smile. "Apologies for

barging in, Mr. Winston."

Winston forced a smile in return. "No need for apologies, Mr. Justin. | am an outsider here. You and Jasper are brothers, after all. It's

more like I'm the nuisance here."

Justin's gaze hardened. "Mr. Winston, I'm afraid | must ask for a moment alone with my brother."

It was clear what he meant—Winston was to leave.

Winston gave Jasper a concerned look. "Rest well, Jasper. | shall not stand in the way of your brotherly conversation."

Not only did this man before his eyes once save his daughter's life, but he also had a pure and refined image that felt as warm as a

spring breeze. All who saw him would get a good impression of him.

Yet, for sreason, he simply did not feel particularly good about Justin. He kept feeling that there was a barrier between them,

and all he wanted to do was keep his distance.

"Justin, you can just say what you want."

Having been through this incident, Jasper becgreatly suspicious of Justin, even though he had once saved his life. Deep down,

he was greatly conflicted and reluctant to have this private conversation with Justin.

"Mr. Winston is an elder | respect. | haven't seen him in a really long time, so I'd like to spend more twith him."

Winston's eyes widened at that. His heart was warmed.

"You can say your piece right here. If it's not convenient, we can talk tomorrow instead."

Upon saying that, Jasper lowered his eyes, making it obvious that he was not keen to speak to him.

A dark look filled Justin's eyes. He took a heavy breath, then said in a hoarse voice, "Jasper, Ms. Alyssa was in danger and almost

lost her life in the mountain forests this time.

"I spoke with her primary physician earlier and learned that she suffered severe frostbite in two areas of her body. As a woman,

she's already physically weaker, and the extrcold likely caused significant damage to her bodily functions."

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hospital ward becheavy and suffocating.

Jasper's temples throbbed. Silently, he tightened his grip on his blanket.

Winston winced, his frailty catching up to him. He stumbled, but Silas caught him just in time.

Silas, face pale with worry, shot a glance at Justin. "Mr. Justin, what are you trying to say?"

A crestfallen look cacross Justin's face. He hesitated.

She paused, her gaze shifting to the pale-faced Jasper, her expression unreadable. "That said, I've heard that Ms. Alyssa once had

a miscarriage and is now barren. So, in this regard... How should | put it? | suppose you could say this was, in sway, a blessing

in disguise."

Her casual words hung in the air like a slap. Jasper's heart twisted, and the Taylors seemed to crumble. Xavier's eyes turned

bloodshot with fury.

"Enough, you!" Xavier roared, lunging forward. "How dare you twist the knife in their wounds like that?"

Wide-eyed, Sheryl put on an innocent expression as she looked toward Justin for help.

"Jasper, have you even stopped to think about why she chose to take that risk? Why, despite knowing about the snowstorm last

night, she went ahead with the hike? As someone experienced in hiking, why would she rather face the blizzard than turn back

before it was too late?"

Justin's harsh words struck Jasper like a relentless force, circling around his heart, each question driving deeper than the last. He

opened his mouth to respond, but it felt as if a rusted nail had pierced his voice box, leaving him unable to make a sound.

Justin's gaze remained fixed on him, unyielding. Then, in a calm, clear voice, he spoke the truth that cut through the silence. "It

was because you broke your promise to her."

"Pro... mise?" Winston and Silas were staggered.

Meanwhile, Sheryl chose to remain silent despite havingplete knowledge of the entire story.

"She waited for you," Justin continued, his eyes narrowing with contempt. "But you didn't show up. She couldn't accept that you

broke your promise to her."

Justin moved closer to Jasper, his gaze growing colder and darker with each passing moment. "She couldn't accept that the man

who once cherished and loved her so deeply could now dismiss her, pushing her aside for another woman.

"She must have been waiting for you, clinging to the hope that you'de for her. She couldn't believe that you could be so cruel

that you wouldn't show up for your meeting with her."

From the side of the bed, Justin leaned in slightly toward Jasper. The smile that curled on his lips was unnerving, as if it concealed a

terrifying beast, one that had been waiting for the right moment to break free from its frozen shell.

He continued, "Despite all the emotions Ms. Alyssa poured out to you, you let her down. Jasper, whether you're willing to admit it

or not, this is the truth. To you, Ms. Alyssa has already be unimportant and dispensable."

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