Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 6

Shattered Rose: He Held On Tight

Chapter 6 We’re Over, There Won’t Be a Wedding

83

+8 Pearls

“Yeah, yeah, of course. In a room full of people, she’s the only delicate flower–and somehow she’s glued to her sister’s boyfriend. And Jasper–so noble, so kind–doesn’t touch anyone… except his soon–to–be sister–in–law. One day, when they end up in bed, I guess it’ll be everyone else’s eyes that are the problem. My heart’s dirty? Fine. I’ll say it: those two look like a pair of overflowing trash cans–filthy and perfectly matched.”

“Claudia, you’ve got it wrong.” Jasper had already let go of Lydia the second Claudia looked over. Hearing his name tied to Lydia’s again, acid rose in his throat.

“Wrong?” Claudia’s mouth lifted. “Jasper, do you have any idea how many times you’ve said that to me over the years?”

He stalled, then managed, “There are reasons. I can explain.”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

Actions speak louder than excuses. Whatever reasons he had, the reality was the same: again and again, he’d left her to stand on the other side.

“The engagement party-” Lottie started.

“There isn’t going to be one. How do you throw an engagement party when the proposal blew up?”

“What do you mean?” Lottie blurted, stunned.

Every Lancaster stared at Claudia. Only Lydia’s eyes flickered with a little light.

“Do I need to draw you a picture?” Claudia turned to Jasper. “Yesterday, during the proposal, I told you–if you walked away, we were done. Want me to spell it out? Jasper, we’re over. I don’t want you anymore.”

“No! I don’t accept that!” The words hit Jasper like a sledgehammer. His chest cinched tight and the protest ripped out.

He’d been at her side since she was three–twenty years. How could all of that end over one failed proposal?

She’d said since they were kids she would marry him. They were fate.

“Take it back. I’ll pretend you never said it.” His jaw locked.

Claudia ignored him and looked at Lottie. “Consider yourselves notified. If you don’t want to throw a party with no bride, stop planning now.”

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9:34 Tue, Oct 7 M…

Chapter 6 We’re Over, There Won’t Be a Wedding

83

+8 Pearls

“Ridiculous!” Lottie’s voice cracked the air. “This marriage between our families was agreed on long ago. You think this is some game? You were the one begging for it, carrying on like you’d die without it. And now you want to back out? You think you can change your mind whenever you please?”

Claudia’s gaze went glacial. “Then you marry him. Or better yet-” Her eyes slid to Lydia. “Don’t you still have another daughter?”

“Claudia! You know I only love you.” Jasper’s voice was raw.

“Heh.” Once, that would’ve rocked her. Not anymore.

“Enough. In this cozy little family of yours, there’s no room left for me. Goodbye. Actually— let’s never meet again.” She flicked a hand and walked out, easy and careless.

“Claudia!” Jasper moved to follow, but Lydia clutched his hand.

“It’s my fault,” she whispered, small and soft. “If I hadn’t gotten hurt, none of this would’ve happened. Claudia’s furious. Chasing her won’t help. When she cools off, we’ll go explain together. She’ll understand you never meant to abandon her. She’s loved you for so many years –she only said ‘break it off in anger.”

“She’s right. Leave her be. She’ll come back once she’s calmed down. Doesn’t she always?” Lottie patted Lydia’s hand. “Don’t feel guilty. I’m the one who called last night. It was just a proposal. How could that matter more than your health?”

Three years ago, Claudia had wanted to go sailing, and the family had humored her. Lydia and her boyfriend went too. It turned tragic–Lydia’s boyfriend drowned saving Jasper. Lydia nearly drowned herself, and afterward, her memory would blur. She confused Jasper with her late boyfriend sometimes.

Last night, after the accident, she slipped again, crying out her boyfriend’s name. That’s why Lottie called Jasper over.

Who could’ve guessed it was the exact moment he was proposing? Still, Lottie felt no guilt. If she had to choose again, she’d make the same call.

Claudia owed Lydia too much. A proposal was nothing by comparison. How could Claudia be so petty? How could she not understand?

Zane snorted. “Claudia’s been chasing Jasper for twenty years. Clings like gum on a shoe. Who’s gonna buy that she suddenly doesn’t want to marry him?”

Their voices tugged Jasper back from the door, but unease gnawed at him.

They’d promised when they first started dating–never say “break up” lightly.

284

9:34 Tue, Oct 7 M.

Chapter 6 We’re Over, There Won’t Be a Wedding

B

83

+8 Pearls

“Ridiculous!” Lottie’s voice cracked the air. “This marriage between our families was agreed on long ago. You think this is some game? You were the one begging for it, carrying on like you’d die without it. And now you want to back out? You think you can change your mind whenever you please?”

Claudia’s gaze went glacial. “Then you marry him. Or better yet-” Her eyes slid to Lydia. “Don’t you still have another daughter?”

“Claudia! You know I only love you.” Jasper’s voice was raw.

“Heh.” Once, that would’ve rocked her. Not anymore.

“Enough. In this cozy little family of yours, there’s no room left for me. Goodbye. Actually- let’s never meet again.” She flicked a hand and walked out, easy and careless.

“Claudia!” Jasper moved to follow, but Lydia clutched his hand.

“It’s my fault,” she whispered, small and soft. “If I hadn’t gotten hurt, none of this would’ve happened. Claudia’s furious. Chasing her won’t help. When she cools off, we’ll go explain together. She’ll understand you never meant to abandon her. She’s loved you for so many years -she only said ‘break it off” in anger.”

“She’s right. Leave her be. She’ll come back once she’s calmed down. Doesn’t she always?” Lottie patted Lydia’s hand. “Don’t feel guilty. I’m the one who called last night. It was just a proposal. How could that matter more than your health?”

Three years ago, Claudia had wanted to go sailing, and the family had humored her. Lydia and her boyfriend went too. It turned tragic–Lydia’s boyfriend drowned saving Jasper. Lydia nearly drowned herself, and afterward, her memory would blur. She confused Jasper with her late boyfriend sometimes.

Last night, after the accident, she slipped again, crying out her boyfriend’s name. That’s why Lottie called Jasper over.

Who could’ve guessed it was the exact moment he was proposing? Still, Lottie felt no guilt. If she had to choose again, she’d make the same call.

Claudia owed Lydia too much. A proposal was nothing by comparison. How could Claudia be so petty? How could she not understand?

Zane snorted. “Claudia’s been chasing Jasper for twenty years. Clings like gum on a shoe. Who’s gonna buy that she suddenly doesn’t want to marry him?”

Their voices tugged Jasper back from the door, but unease gnawed at him.

They’d promised when they first started dating–never say “break up” lightly.

214

9:34 Tue, Oct 7 M

Chapter 6 We’re Over, There Won’t Be a Wedding

83

+8 Pearls

Even through three years of fights, even when Lydia mistook him for her boyfriend, even that time he was forced to kiss her, Claudia never ended things. She just cried, red–eyed, for a month.

This time–was it really just anger?

Maybe… maybe it was finally time to keep real distance from Lydia. He hadn’t checked in with the psychiatrist this month. He needed to.

No matter what, he wanted Claudia as his wife. He’d wanted that for years.

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