The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164

(Scarlett’s POV)

“So you lied instead?”

“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you I regained my memories.”

“It’s the same thing!”

+25 Points?

“No.” He shakes his head, giving me a sad look. “It’s not the same thing, Letty. One is outright deceiving, saying to your face that I didn’t regain my memories. The other is withholding information to preserve what could have. A chance to start over.”

“Huh! A chance to start over? Do you even think that’s possible?”

“Why not?” His voice rises to match mine. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re the one who has been lying. To yourself, to Dorian, to me. You’ve been pretending you don’t still feel anything for me, when we both know you do.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Am I?” He takes another step closer. “You stayed. Even though you’re engaged to another man, even though you had every reason to leave, you stayed by my side. You slept in that chair every night, held my hand…you kissed me back when I kissed you, Letty.”

The memory of that kiss burns through me, searing my heart with shame and even greater disgust. How could I have been such a fool? How could I have allowed myself to melt into him, to forget even for a second what he did to me? How…?

My chest feels tight. I can’t breathe. Can’t seem to feel anything but the devastating blow of his actions.

Jasper, unaware of my state, continues. “I wasn’t manipulating you. I was-” He runs his hand through his hair. “God, Scarlett, I was desperate. Someone tried to kill you. You could’ve died in that accident. I realized then how precious life was. I didn’t want to waste a second. I couldn’t.”

He closes the distance between us, his hands coming up to frame my face.

I try to pull away, but he holds firm. “Let me go.”

“Not until you answer one question.” His eyes search mine. “Letty… you still have feelings for me, don’t you?”

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<Chapter 164

The question hangs in the air between us, heavy and oppressive.

+25 Points

I want to shout no, to slap in the face and walk away. But my limbs refuse to move, my heart screaming the truth my mind refuses to accept.

I do have feelings for him. I never stopped loving him.

Even now, even knowing he lied, part of me wants to fall into his arms and pretend the past four years never happened.

But what will that make me? What will be the point in the pain I went through…if I don’t learn from my mistake? I can’t forget the burn just because the scars are no longer visible.

“It doesn’t matter,” I whisper instead.

“The hell it doesn’t.” His thumb brushes away a tear I didn’t realize had fallen. “It’s the only thing that matters. Because if you do–if there’s even a small part of you that still loves me- then we can fix this. We can work through it. Together.”

“No, Jasper,” I shake my head, finally pulling away, putting distance between us. “We can never be together again. You’re four years too late.”

“Letty…”

“I said no! I’m engaged! I’m already f*****g engaged to a good man, Jasper! So please…just stop!”

“Then why are you crying?”

I freeze, and only then feel the dampness on my cheeks.

Jasper moves closer, his gaze possessive, regretful, tender with affection. “You’re crying because you’re scared that if you admit you still love me, you’ll get hurt again. Scared that wanting me makes you weak.”

“Stop.”

“Tell me I’m wrong. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t still love me.”

I open my mouth to say exactly that. To tell him he’s delusional if he thinks I’d ever give him

another chance.

But the words won’t come.

Because he’s right.

I’m not just scared. I’m terrified of going through the same experiences again. Of what loving

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< Chapter 164

him will reduce me to.

He’s quiet for a long moment. When he speaks, his voice is raw, desperate, humble.

+25 Points

“Letty, please…I love you so much it hurts. I love you enough that I spent four years searching every city, every town, hoping for just a glimpse of you. I love you enough that when that SUV came at us, my only thought was protecting you.” He pauses. “I love you enough that I was willing to lie, to manipulate, to do whatever it took to keep you close. Even if that makes me the worst kind of person. So please…tell me. Do you love me?”

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