The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 67

My hands shake as I set the phone down on my nightstand. The warning in Jasper’s voice echoes in my head, over and over until I want to scream.

If I ever find out you lied to me again…

Again. He said again.

He still hasn’t let go of that incident. The divorce papers I signed four years ago to set him free from that woman, to give us the chance we deserved to start over.

I pace my room, my bare feet silent on the plush carpet. The space feels too small. Too bright. The afternoon sun streaming through the windows makes everything look harsh and exposed.

This isn’t how it was supposed to go.

He’s supposed to be disgusted with Scarlett. To hate her, and kick her and her bastard child out of his life.

Jasper was supposed to realize I’m the one for him, the only one who’s always been loyal, faithful, and always there for him.

Instead, he’s pulling away from me.

“No.” The word tears from my throat in a growl. “No, this isn’t happening.”

I grab the crystal vase from my dresser and hurl it across the room. It explodes against the wall, sending water and white roses everywhere. The sound is satisfying for exactly two seconds before the panic sets back in.

A picture frame follows the vase. Then my jewelry box. Then everything I can get my hands on until my room looks like a tornado hit it.

But it doesn’t alleviate my frustration. My fear. My desperation.

Nothing helps.

Because it doesn’t change the truth that Jasper is slipping away from me, and I don’t know how to stop it.

I collapse on my bed, my chest heaving. The silk comforter is soft against my cheek, but it doesn’t comfort me. Nothing can, when I’m losing the only person who ever mattered.

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“Why, Jasper? Why are you doing this to me? You clearly promised you would marry me. You promised. But you went back on your word. You forgot your promise.”

The tears come, hot and desperate. I haven’t cried like this since I was thirteen years old. Since the day he entered my life, and everything changed.

fifteen years ago

The corner of the recreation room was my hiding spot. The one place where the other kids couldn’t find me, couldn’t point and whisper about the girl whose mother went to jail, and died

on the streets.

My face burned where Mrs. Henderson had slapped me. Three times, because I’d spilled juice on her dress by accident. The welts on my back throbbed from the beating that came after.

“Worthless,” she’d hissed. “No wonder nobody wants you. You’re damaged goods, Virginia.”

I pressed my face into my knees and tried to make myself smaller. If I could disappear completely, maybe the pain would stop. Maybe someone, somewhere, would finally want me,

adopt me as their daughter.

“Hey.”

A voice suddenly said, making me look up. A boy stood a few feet away, tall for his age with dark hair that fell into his eyes. I’d never seen him before, which meant he was new. Fresh

meat for the older kids to torment.

“You’re crying,” he said, like he was witnessing an unbelievable sight.

I wiped my eyes quickly. “So?”

“Girls don’t grow up pretty if they cry too much.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking

uncomfortable.

“Why do you care if I grow up pretty? It’s not like you’ll marry me.”

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you don’t stop crying, I definitely won’t marry you. I don’t want to marry a crybaby.”

I paused, shocked. All the boys in the orphanage avoided me, calling me unlucky, claiming my mom died because of me. The girls, not wanting to be isolated by the boys, either locked me in a room, or beat me for fun. It’s the first time anyone has ever tried to comfort me.

And he even said he would marry me in the future.

“You don’t even know me,” I whispered.

“I know you’re sad. And I know pretty girls shouldn’t be sad.” He sat down next to me, careful

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to leave space between us. “What’s your name?”

“Virginia.”

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“I’m Jasper.” He glanced at my tear–stained face. “Are you gonna stop crying now?”

I nodded, even though my chest still felt tight with unshed tears. Because this boy–this strange, awkward boy–had said he’d marry me. And for the first time in my life, someone had called me pretty.

From that day forward, I stuck to his side like glue. Through foster homes and group homes and finally aging out of the system together. Through his full–ride scholarship and my community college classes. Through every girl he rejected, waiting patiently for him to remember his promise.

To marry me.

Because he had to remember. He had to.

But after waiting for fifteen years, instead of honoring his promise, he went and married the rich and beautiful heiress, Scarlett Stone.

Present

The memory fades, leaving me hollow and desperate on my bed. Surrounded by the wreckage of my tantrum.

But I’m not thirteen anymore. I’m not the weak, powerless child from thirteen years ago.

I know Scarlett’s weakness, Jasper’s guilt. And a doctor who owes me too much to repay.

I’ve spent years striving to get what I want.

And I’m not about to lose now. Not when I’m so close to having everything I’ve worked hard

for.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand. A text from an unknown number, but I know who it’s from. He only contacts me when there’s news.

We have a problem. Someone is looking into your past.

The blood drains from my face. Someone is looking into my past? Why? Whoever it is must’ve discovered something. But how much?

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