The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

(Scarlett’s POV)

+25 Points

Chloe helps me make the soup. I spoon a small bowl for Lily, blowing gently on the top.

She takes a tentative sip, her eyes widening slightly at the familiar taste. She eats slowly, deliberately, the simple act of nourishing her body working its magic.

“How is he really?” Chloe suddenly asks.

“Stable, but unconscious,” I answer. “The doctors don’t know when he’ll wake up.”

She nods, understanding the unspoken truth. He might not wake up at all.

“I should go,” she says. “Let you two have some time together. But I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

“Thank you for staying with her. For taking care of her when I couldn’t.”

“That’s what family is for.” She hugs me tightly. “Try to get some sleep.”

I nod. After Chloe leaves, Lily finishes the last spoonful of her.

I run a warm bath and help her wash away the stress of the day. She’s quiéter now, more subdued, and I can see the exhaustion creeping in around her eyes.

“Mama?” she says as I help her into her pajamas. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“Of course, baby.”

I kiss her forehead and tuck her in beside me, her small warm body a comfort against the cold fear that’s taken up residence in my chest.

“Mama?” she calls just as I reach out to turn off the lamp. “I’m not sleepy yet. Can you Mr. Hopscotch?”

find

Mr. Hopscotch. The stuffed bunny I bought her when she was two. She hasn’t asked for it in months.

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll look for him.“.

go to her room and search through her toy chest first, then move to the closet where we keep outgrown clothes and forgotten treasures. Mr. Hopscotch isn’t in any of his usual hiding spots.

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< Chapter 139

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Maybe he’s in my bedroom? Sometimes Lily carries him around the apartment and leaves him in random places.

I’m digging through the boxes under my bed when my fingers brush against something familiar. A worn leather journal with my initials embossed on the cover.

My college diary.

I haven’t looked at this in years. Didn’t even remember packing it when I moved out of James and Blair’s house.

I sit back on my heels, turning the journal over in my hands. The leather is soft and supple from years of handling, and when I open it, the pages smell like vanilla and sandalwood.

The first entry is dated September 15th, my freshman year:

Started college today. Everything is so overwhelming, but also exciting. I think I’m going to love it

here.

I flip through the pages, watching my handwriting evolve from the careful script of an eighteen–year–old to the hurried scrawl of someone trying to capture every moment of a busy

life.

And then I see his name for the first time:

October 3rd- Met someone today. Jasper Blake. He works at the campus coffee shop, and he has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. Probably way out of my league, but a girl can dream.

A smile tugs at my lips despite everything. I was so young, so hopeful. So completely smitten with a boy who barely knew I existed.

I keep reading, following the progression of our relationship through my nineteen–year–old

eyes:

October 28th – He remembered my order today! Vanilla latte with extra foam. Maybe I’m not as invisible as I thought.

November 15th – Asked him if he wanted to study together. He said yes! We’re meeting at the library tomorrow. I can barely contain my excitement.

December 2nd – First job! I didn’t know he also had another job. He works at a bar outside campus. I wanted to spend more time with him, so I got a job where he works!

The entries become longer, more detailed, as our relationship deepened. I read about our first official date, our first fight, the first time he called me beautiful.

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< Chapter 139

But it’s one particular entry that stops me cold:

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+25 Points

March 14th- Today was perfect. Jasper waited in line for TWO HOURS to get me that new ice cream flavor everyone’s talking about the lavender honey one that sold out everywhere. Two hours! In the cold! Just because I mentioned wanting to try it. When I asked him why, he just shrugged and said, “Because it made you smile.” I don’t think I’ve ever felt so loved in my entire

life.

I remember that day. Remember how surprised I was when he showed up on campus with the ice cream, how he played it off like it was no big deal. But he’d waited in line for two

hours. For me.

My fingers trace the faded ink, and I can almost see him as he was then–young and proud and determined to make me happy, even if it meant standing in the cold for half the afternoon.

I turn the page and find another memory:

April 7th – There was a fire in the chemistry building today. Not serious, but enough to set off all the alarms and fill the halls with smoke. Everyone was running and screaming, and I got separated from my lab partner. I was so scared, crouched in a corner while sirens wailed outside. But then Jasper found me. He was the first one to find me. He wrapped his jacket around me and carried me out of the building like I weighed nothing. Got a nasty burn on his arm from a hot door handle, but he wouldn’t let the paramedics look at it until he knew I was okay. The scar is still there–a jagged line from his wrist to his elbow. My hero’s badge, he jokes.

The scar. I haven’t thought about that scar in years, but I can picture it perfectly. He used to trace his finger along it sometimes when we were lying in bed, telling me it was worth it because it meant I was safe.

More memories flood back as I read:

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