The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 40

(Jasper’s POV)

“Your anxiety levels are still elevated,” Dr. Morrison says, handing Virginia a printed report. “But the good news is we’ve caught it early. These new medications should help regulate the panic attacks.”

I nod, not really listening. My mind keeps replaying the look on Scarlett’s face when she saw me at the hospital. Pure disgust. Like I was something dirty she’d stepped on.

“Mr. Blake?” The doctor’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “I need you to make sure Virginia takes these twice a day. Missing doses can trigger episodes.”

“Right. Twice a day.” I take the prescription bottle, shoving it into my jacket pocket.

Virginia slides her arm through mine as we walk to the parking garage. Her touch feels wrong. Heavy. Like a chain I’ve been wearing too long to be comfortable anymore.

“Thank you for staying with me today,” she says softly. “I know seeing Scarlett was hard for you.”

Hard doesn’t begin to cover it. Watching my wife–because she IS still my wife–leave with another man felt like being gutted with a rusty knife.

“It’s fine.”

“Is it?” Virginia stops walking, forcing me to look at her. “Because you’ve barely said a word since we left the ER.”

Because I can’t stop thinking about the way Dorian touched Scarlett’s wheelchair. Protective. Gentle. The way I should have been touching her for three years.

“I’m tired, that’s all.”

Virginia’s blue eyes fill with tears. “I’m so sorry, Jasper. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t had the panic attack that day-”

“Don’t.” There’s nothing to mention about that day.

She was sick. She needed help. I don’t know why Scarlett couldn’t understand such a simple issue.

She blames me for abandoning her on the road. But did I ask her to get off the car? Wasn’t it her order to stop?

1/4

< Chapter 40

More Rewards >

I tried to get her to get back in the car. Virginia was in a critical situation. I couldn’t waste time appeasing her, sucking up to her while someone else was dying on the other side of

town.

We drive to the Stones‘ house in silence. Virginia keeps glancing at me, probably waiting for me to comfort her, to tell her everything’s okay like I always do. But I can’t. Not right now.

“Are you coming in?” she asks when I pull into the driveway. “Mom’s making her famous lamb

stew.”

The same stew Scarlett used to make for me when I had rough days at the office. She’d learned the recipe from Blair, spent hours perfecting it because she knew it was my favorite.

“Not tonight.”

Virginia flinches like I slapped her, and for a split second, I feel guilty. But then I remember the way Dorian’s hand rested on Scarlett’s shoulder, possessive and sure, and the guilt disappears.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I lie, already pulling away.

The house is dark when I get home. Our house. The one Scarlett picked out because she loved the big windows in the kitchen and the way the afternoon light hit the living room. The one where we were supposed to build a life together.

I stand in the doorway for a moment, key in hand. The silence, the quiet emptiness–it’s the hollow echo of abandonment. Every corner of the house holds memories, ones I’ve been holding onto for the last four years.

At the sight of the coffee cup, her coffee cup, still sitting on the kitchen counter, the memories come flooding back.

“Can we try for a baby?” she’d asked one night, her head on my chest, fingers tracing patterns on my skin.

The question caught me off guard. We’d been married two years, and she looked so hopeful, so beautiful in the moonlight.

“We’re not ready for that kind of responsibility,” I’d said. “My business is just getting started, and Virginia needs help settling into her new job-”

The light died in her eyes. “Virginia.”

“Be reasonable, Scarlett. Babies are expensive, and with everything going on-

She’d pulled away from me then, wrapping herself in the sheet like armor.

2/4

< Chapter 40

More Rewards >

“When do I get to come first, Jasper? When do I matter more than your friendship with her?”

I couldn’t answer. Because the truth was, I didn’t know how to put Scarlett first when Virginia seemed to need me more.

Six months later, she was pregnant anyway. And instead of being happy–instead of celebrating–I felt trapped.

What kind of man feels trapped when his wife tells him she’s carrying his child?

My chest tightens. The baby. Our baby.

I shrug out of my coat and slump into the couch, burying my head in my hands.

Scarlett had everything–parents who adored her, friends like Chloe who’d drop everything for her, money, education, love. She was surrounded by people who cared about her.

Virginia had no one. Just me.

Why couldn’t Scarlett understand this?

Standing, I stumble to our bedroom–my bedroom now–and collapse on the bed. Scarlett’s pillow still smells faintly like her shampoo. Something floral and sweet that used to drive me

crazy.

I press my face into it and remember.

The front porch light was always on when I came home late. Always. Even when I was three hours later than I’d promised, even when I’d cancelled our dinner plans for the third time that

week.

She’d be in the kitchen, usually reading a book at the counter, a plate of food warming in the

oven.

“How was your day?” she’d ask, like she genuinely wanted to know. Like my problems mattered

to her.

“Long. Frustrating.” I’d kiss her forehead, breathe in that sweet scent. “Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s okay. Are you hungry?”

Always the same question. Always asked with a smile, even when I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

She’d heat up whatever she’d made–usually something complicated because she was still learning to cook, still trying to impress me. Still trying to be the perfect wife.

3/4

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify