The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

(Virginia’s POV)

My phone won’t stop buzzing.

I stare at Morgan’s name flashing across the screen, my thumb hovering over the answer button. Through the ICU window, I can see Jasper lying motionless on the bed, tubes and wires connecting him to machines that beep in steady rhythm.

He looks so pale. So broken.

Because of Scarlett.

No–because of me.

If I hadn’t told Scarlett about Jasper lying to her, if she hadn’t confronted him, he wouldn’t have chased her.

His serious condition leaves me drained, powerless, and for the first time ever, I question myself. What exactly am I pursuing? Because if it’s love, Jasper’s attitude has made it clear. I’ll never enter his heart.

Once, I believed Scarlett was the problem, that as long as I removed her, Jasper would be

mine.

Now though, now I’m not so sure anymore. I can’t even summon the energy to be angry at him for mistaking me for Scarlett again.

The phone stops ringing. Then immediately starts again.

I swipe to answer. “What?”

“Virginia.” Morgan’s voice is sharp, cutting. “Where are you?”

“The hospital. Jasper collapsed. He hit his head and-

“I don’t care about Jasper.” She pauses. “Actually, this is perfect. He’s unconscious?”

My stomach turns. “Yes, but-

“Then he can’t interfere. Listen carefully. I’m sending you an address. My people are already in position at the school.”

“The school?” My voice comes out too high. “What school?”

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<Chapter 166

“Lily’s school. We’re moving up the timeline. Today.”

The words slam into me like a physical blow. “No. Absolutely not. We can’t involve-”

+25 Points:

“It’s already done. John and his team are there now. They’ll grab both the kid and whoever picks her up. Probably that friend of Scarlett’s–Chloe, isn’t it?”

My legs feel weak. I sink into one of the plastic chairs lining the hallway. “Morgan, please. Not the child. We talked about this.”

“We talked about getting rid of Scarlett. This is how we do it. The kid is leverage.”

“She’s four years old!”

“And Scarlett loves her more than anything in the world. Which makes her the perfect bait.” Morgan’s voice turns cold. “Don’t go soft on me now, Virginia. Not when we’re this close.”

I close my eyes, Lily’s face flashing in my mind. The way she smiled at me on Christmas, how she called me “Aunt Virginia” with such trust in her voice.

“Virginia? Are you listening?”

“I’m listening.”

“Good. Once they have the kid secured, you’ll text Scarlett.”

“Tell her to come to the warehouse on Fifth Street. Come alone or the kid dies.”

“Morgan. What happens after Scarlett shows up?”

“That’s not your concern. Your job is to get her there.”

“You’re going to kill her.” It’s not a question.

“I’m going to make James Stone suffer the way my father suffered. Scarlett’s just the tool I need to break him.”

My hands shake so badly I nearly drop the phone. “I never agreed to murder.”

“You agreed the moment you started working with me. The moment you helped me hire thugs to scare her in Nashville. The moment you told me to get rid of her, whatever it takes.”

Her voice turns gentle, almost kind. “You’re already an accomplice, sweetheart. Might as well see it through.”

The line goes dead.

I sit there, staring at my phone, feeling like I’m drowning. Everything is spinning out of

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Chapter 166

+25 Points

control. This was supposed to be about getting Jasper to notice me. About taking back what

Scarlett stole.

When did it become about k********g children and murder?

A nurse walks past, giving me a curious look. I force a smile, waiting until she’s gone before I stand on shaky legs.

I should call the police. Tell them everything. Stop this before it goes any further.

But then I’d go to prison. Jasper would know what I did. Blair and James would never forgive

1. me.

I’d lose everything.

My phone buzzes with a text. An address, just like Morgan promised. And below it: John has the package. Waiting for your signal.

The package. They’re calling a little girl a package.

More and more, I begin to question myself. Is it worth it? To go this far, to even target a kid, killing my conscience, and all for what?

For the love of a man who doesn’t even see me?

Suppressing the growing unease in my heart, I take a glance at the operating theatre, then turn and walk out of the hospital.

Whether it’s worth it or not, I don’t have the choice to back out anymore.

Because Morgan can overlook incompetence. But she will never overlook betrayal.

(Jasper’s POV)

I surface slowly, fighting through layers of fog.

Voices drift around me, muffled and distant.

“…concussion…lucky it wasn’t worse…‘

“…should never have gotten out of bed…”

“…monitoring him closely…”

I force my eyes open. The lights are dimmed, easier on my pounding head.

A nurse notices immediately. “Mr. Blake? Can you hear me?”

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