Chapter <b>25 </b>


    (Scarlett’s POV)


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    He’s standing by the Korean BBQ truck, maybe fifty yards away, but he hasn’t seen us yet. He’s talking to someone on his phone, gesturing with his free hand.


    “Scarlett?” Dorian notices my sudden stillness. “Everything okay?”


    “Actually, I just remembered Lily wanted to go on the rides.” My voice sounds strained even to my own ears. “There’s a small carnival section on the other side of the park.”


    “But I’m getting butterfly wings!” Lily protests.


    “We’lle back after the rides,” I promise, already lifting her from the chair. “The artist will still be here.”


    The face painter looks confused but shrugs. “I’ll be here until six.”


    I force myself to walk calmly toward the opposite end of the park, every nerve screaming at me to run. Dorian falls into step beside us, and I can feel his concerned nces.


    “Are


    you sure you’re alright? You look pale.”


    “Just tired. The fresh air will help.”


    The carnival rides are small–the kind meant for young children. A miniature Ferris wheel, spinning teacups, a little train that goes in circles. Perfect for keeping Lily busy while I figure out how to get us out of here without Jasper spotting us.


    “Can I go on the train, Mama? Please?” Lily bounces on her toes.


    <i>“</i>Of course, sweetheart.”


    I pay for a ticket, my hands shaking slightly as I help her into one of the tiny cars. The ride operator, a bored teenager, barely looks up from his phone.


    “It goes around five times,” he mutters. “Keep your arms inside.”


    I step back to the fence with Dorian, watching Lily wave excitedly as her little train chugs along its track. The motion is soothing, predictable. For the first time in ten minutes, I can breathe.


    “You know, if you don’t want to tell me what’s wrong, that’s fine,” Dorian says quietly. “But I’m here if you need someone.”


    :


    < Chapter 25


    His kindness makes my chest ache. “It’splicated.”


    “Most things worth talking about are.”


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    I’m about to respond when movement catches my eye. Someone approaching the ride area from the path we just took.


    My heart stops.


    Jasper is walking straight toward us, his phone call finished, scanning the small crowd around the rides like he’s looking for someone.


    Looking for me.


    “We need to go,” I whisper urgently.


    “What? Lily’s still on the-<b>” </b>


    “Now.” I grab Dorian’s arm, pulling him toward a cluster of game booths. “Please, just trust


    me.”


    We duck behind a ring toss game, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy thick around us. Through the gaps between stuffed animals hanging as prizes, I watch Jasper approach the


    train ride.


    He stops at the fence, his gaze sweeping over the children on the ride.


    And then he sees her.


    But he’s not looking for me. His gaze stops on the little train, and I watch his expression shift to something softer, more curious.


    He recognizes Lily–not as his daughter, but as the little girl from the bakery. The owner’s daughter who sometimes waves at customers through the window.


    “We need to go,” I whisper urgently to Dorian.


    “What? Lily’s still on the-”


    “Please, just trust me.”


    I pull him behind a nearby game booth, my heart hammering as I watch Jasper approach the train ride. He leans against the fence, a small smile ying on his lips as he watches the children go around in circles.


    When Lily’s cares around again, she spots him and waves enthusiastically. “Hi! Are you here for the rides too?”


    < Chapter 25


    Jasper’s smile widens. “Just watching. You look like you’re having fun.”


    “I am! This is the best day ever!” Lily calls as her car moves past.


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    There’s something in Jasper’s expression as he watches her–a gentleness I haven’t seen in years. The way he used to look at stray cats or children in the grocery <i>store </i>when he thought no one was watching.


    But there’s something else too. A strange fascination, like he can’t quite <i>look </i>away.


    My chest tightens with panic. What if he sees it? The resemnce everyone alwaysmented on before I left? The way she scrunches her nose when sheughs, just like he does? The stubborn set of her jaw when she’s concentrating?


    “She’s a sweet kid,” I hear him say to a woman standing nearby, the parent of a child on the ride perhaps. “Very polite.”


    “That she is.” The woman replies, smiling fondly.


    Jasper nods, but he doesn’t move away from the fence. He stays there, watching Lily with an intensity that makes my skin crawl with anxiety.


    When the ride stops, I expect him to leave. Instead, he stays put as Lily climbs out of her train


    <b>car</b><b>. </b>


    “That was so fun!” she deres, running towards him. <fnbd84> Official source is FindN()vel</fnbd84>


    I nearly curse at the sight. Why is she running towards him? I don’t remember them being so


    familiar with each other.


    Did Jasper get close to her behind my back? That’s ridiculous. He doesn’t even know who


    she is.


    Violet Moon


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