The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 58

(Virginia’s POV)

“I don’t know how to move forward from this,” Jasper keeps on rumbling, his eyes distant, glossed over. I don’t want his mind snapping.

“One day at a time.” I squeeze his hands gently. “And you don’t have to do it alone. You have me. I’ll always be here for you.”

He looks at me then with something new in his expression. Not love–not even close. Is it suspicion? That’s not possible. I made sure not to give anything away. But just in case, I force out a couple of tears to show I’m more pained than delighted at his misery.

“Thank you, Virginia,” he shakes his head. “But I’m not ready for… I can’t even think about…”

“I know.” I brush a tear from his cheek with my thumb. “I’m not going anywhere, Jasper. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

The promise hangs between us. The future I’ve always dreamed of is within distance.

A future where Jasper finally sees me as more than just his childhood friend.

A future where Scarlett Stone is nothing but a painful memory.

But first, I need to make sure Scarlett can never come back to threaten what’s mine. The DNA results and financial records were just the beginning.

It’s time for the final act.

But when should I implement it? Doing it now would do more harm than good. Jasper will definitely be suspicious if too many things going against Scarlett happen at the same time.

No, I will wait just to be on the safe side.

My phone buzzes with a text from John: Police evidence destroyed as requested. Your tracks

are covered.

Perfect. The food poisoning investigation is dead, and over with. And with it, any chance of the truth about what I did four years ago ever coming to light.

Now there’s just one loose end left to tie up.

I look at Jasper, broken and vulnerable and finally within my reach.

The fake DNA report was genius. Pure genius. Getting John to place someone inside

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Prestige Labs took days of careful negotiation and a hefty bribe.

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I knew he’d want the results rushed. Knew his desperation would make him pay extra for expedited processing. And when he did, my contact was ready. Switched out the real results for the fabricated ones I’d prepared days ago.

And seeing Jasper crumble…every penny I spent was well worth it.

Soon, everything will be exactly as it should be.

Soon, he’ll be completely mine.

I press my lips against his temple as his shoulders shake. More silent sobs. God knows how long I have to keep up this act.

Pretending to be sad is tiring when all I want to do is go home and lock myself in my room, turn on the music and do a little celebratory dance.

The urge almost has me trembling in his arms, my blood pumping in my ears.

“It’s okay,” I whisper, suppressing the excitement, stroking his hair. “Let it all out.”

Inside, I gloat, vibrating with triumph.

Zero percent probability of paternal relationship.

The lie tastes sweet on my tongue.

Because without trust, there is no love. And now that Jasper’s trust in Scarlett is shattered, it’s only a matter of time before he stops loving her too.

“I can’t stay here,” Jasper chokes out, looking around his office like the walls are closing in on him. “I need to get out of here.”

“Of course.” I help him to his feet, his weight heavy against my side. “Let me drive you home.”

Home. The house he shared with that woman. The house I should have been living in all along if Scarlett hadn’t stolen what was rightfully mine.

The drive passes in a blur of Jasper’s broken breathing and my internal celebration.

The house looks exactly the same as it did four years ago. Same manicured lawn, same elegant facade. The only difference is the emptiness–no warmth in the windows, no life behind the walls.

Soon I’ll change that. Soon this will be our home.

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I help Jasper inside, his movements mechanical, like a man sleepwalking through his own life. The entryway echoes with our footsteps, hollow and cold.

“Thank you,” he says without looking at me. “For everything. I don’t know what I would have done-”

“You don’t need to thank me.” I reach for his hand, but he’s already pulling away. “Jasper, maybe I should stay. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

Something shifts in his expression then. The broken grief transforms into something sharper, deeper. What the hell?

I know I have him in my grasp. But why? Why do I get the feeling he’s slipping out of my grasp? Instead of peace, an uneasy feeling settles in my heart.

I get closer, placing my hand on his chest. His sudden shove leaves me stunned.

“No.”

“No?”

“You need to go home, Virginia. Now.”

I blink, caught off guard. This isn’t how this was supposed to go. He’s supposed to need me now. Supposed to realize that I’m the only one who’s ever truly been there for him.

“Jasper, I don’t understand. We just-”

“Go home.” He turns away from me, heading toward the stairs. “Please.”

“But why? I’ve never done anything but support you. Love you. I’m not going anywhere-”

“Scarlett doesn’t like you

here.”

The words stop me cold. My blood turns to ice in my veins,

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