(Virginia’s POV)


    I watch Jasper’s face crumble as my words sink in, and I have to fight to keep from feeling smug, from showing the satisfaction on my face.


    Perfect. The more he suffers, the better I feel. The more he questions, the easier it would be to control everything.


    “Virginia,” ir says sharply, and I immediately shift my expression to one of regret, letting tears gather in my eyes.


    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I just… I’ve watched Jasper suffer for four years after Scarlett left, wondering where she was, if she was okay. I don’t want to see him get hurt again.”


    The performance works perfectly. ir’s expression softens, and even James looks slightly upset at Jasper’s earlier coldness.


    But Jasper… Jasper is staring at me with something that looks dangerously close to suspicion.


    It seems I need to be more careful in the future. More subtle with my actions not to get caught. Jasper is too sharp for his own good.


    “You’re right though,” I continue, my voice breaking slightly. “Scarlett always was stronger than the rest of us gave her credit for. If she’s built a new life, found someone who makes her happy…” I trail off, dabbing at my eyes with a tissue. “You shouldn’t be so selfish to destroy what she built. I mean I want her to be happy. And if that happiness lies with someone else…”


    I shrug helplessly.


    “She hasn’t moved on. She can’t have.”


    “Jasper,” I say gently, “you didn’t see the way she looked at that man. Dorian.” I let his name linger in the air like a curse. “They looked… close,fortable together.”


    His hands clench into fists, and I know I’ve hit the mark.


    “Since you saw Scarlett, then you must’ve also met him?” I press, taking a shot at the chance that Scarlett would have the man around after the incident with her bakery. I refuse to believe she solved the issue on her own. And if he’s the one who helped her…she would at least invite him out to thank him for his help, right? “This Dorian. He seemed capable?”


    “You met him?” Jasper asks, narrowing his eyes as he stares at me.


    :


    <Chapter 30


    s**t.


    I got carried away. I can’t let him know I found out Scarlett returned months ago.


    More Rewards >


    “No, but I saw a picture of them together. It’s in one of the articles about her bakery with Lily? Apparently, he helped facilitate the investigation.


    “Lily? Yeah, she…” He stops, his brow furrowing. “How do you know about Lily?”


    Careful. I can’t let him know I’ve been following the bakery, digging out information about Scarlett, and that Lily is his daughter.


    “You mentioned her earlier. The employee’s daughter, right?” I keep my voice casual, uninterested. “She must be sweet if Scarlett lets her hang around the bakery so much.”


    “She is sweet,” Jasper says, and something in his voice makes my stomach twist. “Smart too. Can tell whether I’m happy or sad from a nce at my face…”


    My heart nearly stops. Does he suspect? Has he put the pieces together?


    “Children can be perceptive,” I manage to say. “Did she… did she remind you of anyone?”


    Jasper is quiet for a long moment, his eyes distant. Then he shakes his head. “Just a bright kid with a good mother.”


    Relief floods through me. He doesn’t know. He has no idea that little girl is his daughter.


    Which means I still hold all the cards.


    “Maybe,” I say slowly, as if the idea is just urring to me, “maybe I should go see Scarlett.


    Talk to her.”


    All three of them turn to stare at me.


    “You?” Jasper’s voice is incredulous. <fn7c62> Newest update provided by Find_Novel(.</fn7c62>


    “Think about it,” I press on, warming to the idea. “She won’t want to see you right now. She’s <i>too </i>angry, too hurt. But if I went, if I apologized to her for everything that happened…” I let my voice wobble with emotion. “Maybe I can help bridge the gap between you.”


    “Virginia,” ir breathes, her eyes filling with tears. “That’s… that’s incredibly generous of you.”


    “It’s the right thing to do,” I say simply. “Scarlett deserves an apology from me. And if there’s a chance I can help you two find your way back to each other…” I look at Jasper with what I hope appears to be selfless love. “I love you, Jasper. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have self–respect. I don’t want to stand next to a man who has another woman in his heart.”


    <Chapter 30


    More Rewards


    James nods, pride in his eyes. “Virginia is kind and understanding, Jasper. If Scarlett had been half as understanding as her….”


    Silence settles in the hall, and I see ir shift ufortably in her seat. She’s more soft–hearted, more attached to Scarlett than James. Though she doesn’t say anything, from her actions alone, I can tell she doesn’t like the way James is talking about Scarlett. “She was pregnant, James. Women tend to think a lot during those times.”


    “Exactly. She might be more willing to listen to Virginia than to any of us.” James nods again, looking at Jasper.


    I turn to Jasper as well. “You cane with me, but I can’t guarantee your presence will not


    rattle her. Especially…especially if we go together….”


    “I’m not letting you go alone-”


    “Jasper,” ir interrupts gently. “Virginia’s right. If Scarlett sees you, she’ll shut downpletely. But if Virginia goes, and makes everything clear…it might be different…”


    I see the exact moment Jasper’s eyes light up with hope, and I have to bite back a smile.


    If only he knew what I really have nned for his precious Scarlett.


    “When?” he asks urgently.


    “Tomorrow,” I say. “I’ll go to the bakery tomorrow afternoon.”


    “What will you say to her?”


    “The truth,” I lie smoothly. “That I’m sorry foring between you two. That I want her to be happy, even if it’s not with you.”


    Jasper’s face twists with pain at the thought, but he nods. “And if she’s willing to listen?”


    “Then maybe, eventually, she’ll be willing to see you too.”


    ir is crying openly now, moved by what she thinks is my sacrifice. Even James looks impressed by my supposed maturity.


    “Virginia,” ir says, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Thank you. This means more than you know.”


    “Of course,” I murmur. “Familyes first.”


    The irony isn’t lost on me. Scarlett was never really family to me. And she’s not even rted to them. She was just a stand–in until I came home. And yet, they’re this concerned for an outsider who stole their affection from their own flesh and blood for years.


    < Chapter 30


    More Rewards >


    “I should probably get some rest,” I say, standing gracefully. “Tomorrow is going to be a big day.”


    As I head toward the door, I catch Jasper watching me with that same suspicious expression


    from earlier.


    “Virginia,” he calls after me.


    I turn, arranging my features into innocent concern. “Yes?”


    “Why are you really doing this?”


    For a moment, I consider telling him the truth. That I want Scarlett nowhere around me, around us. Her very presence irks me.


    Instead, I smile sadly. “Because I love you, Jasper. And sometimes love means letting go.”


    The lie rolls off my tongue so smoothly, I almost believe it myself.


    But as I walk to my car, my mind is already spinning with ns. Tomorrow, I’ll pay Scarlett a visit she’ll never forget.


    <i>And </i>by the time I’m done with her, she’ll be running so far from this city that Jasper will never find her again.


    After all, she has more to lose now than just her pride.


    She has a daughter to protect.