The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 79

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(Dorian’s POV)

Jasper’s already walking toward his car, but Virginia lingers, checking her phone with shaking fingers. The same fingers that dialed a number twenty minutes ago while wearing that satisfied smile.

I move fast, cutting across the parking lot before they can leave.

“Jasper.” My voice carries across the empty space. “I need a word.”

He stops, turning around with that same exhausted look he’s been wearing all night. “Dorian, it’s been a long evening-”

“This won’t take long.” I glance at Virginia, who’s moved closer to Jasper’s side like a snake, no doubt, wanting to be a part of this conversation. “Alone.”

Virginia’s perfect smile freezes. “I’m sorry, but if this concerns Jasper, surely I can-”

“Are you Mrs. Blake?” I cut her off, my voice sharp enough to slice glass.

Her face goes pale. “What?”

“Simple question. Are you married to Jasper? Because if you are, of course I wouldn’t mind discussing confidential business matters in front of you.” I take a step closer, watching her shrink back. “But as far as I know, you’re not. So if you’ll excuse us?”

The silence stretches between us like a wire about to snap. Rage builds behind her eyes, the boiling resentment fraying the edges of her careful mask.

“How dare you-”

“Virginia.” Jasper’s voice is quiet, but steel, making her mouth snap shut. “Give us a minute.”

She stares at him like he just slapped her. “Jasper, you can’t be serious. After everything we’ve been through together, you don’t trust me?”

“This isn’t about trusting you. I’m asking for five minutes.” He looks her straight in the eyes. “Please, go home alone.”

Virginia’s hands clench into fists at her sides. For a moment, I think she might actually lose it right here in the parking lot,

But it’s easier to skin a snake, then see its venom.

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“Fine. But don’t think this conversation is over.” She looks directly at me when she says it, and the threat is crystal clear.

I watch her storm across the parking lot to her car, her perfect posture exuding rage. The slam of her door echoes through the evening air.

“She’s furious,” Jasper observes, running a hand through his hair.

“Good. Angry people make mistakes.” I gesture toward the street. “We need to talk. Somewhere private.”

“Dorian, I appreciate whatever this is, but I’m tired. It’s been an emotional night-”

“Scarlett and Lily are in danger.”

The words stop him cold. All the exhaustion drains from his face, replaced by sharp focus.

“What did you say?”

“You heard me. Get in your car and follow me.”

I don’t wait for an answer. I’m already walking toward my Mercedes, pulling out my phone to text Vince, my head of security. Three words: Code Red. Now.

Jasper’s headlights appear in my rearview mirror before I even reach the street exit.

Twenty minutes later, we’re sitting in the private dining room of The Meridian Club. A place where membership costs more than most people make in a year and conversations disappear behind soundproof walls.

I order whiskey. Jasper asks for coffee.

“Talk,” he says the moment the server leaves.

I slide the manila envelope across the mahogany table. “Look at these first.”

His hands shake slightly as he opens it. Virginia outside a medical clinic four years ago. Virginia in an underground club. Virginia…

“What am I looking at?”

“Your childhood friend bribing medical staff, chatting with dangerous looking thugs.” I lean back in my chair, watching his face. “The same medical staff who almost killed Scarlett’s baby, and a group of thugs connected to two infamous mafia lords.”

Jasper goes still. “What are you saying?”

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“I’m saying Virginia Stone tried to kill your wife and daughter four years ago, through both the hands of thugs and physicians.”

The coffee cup slips from his fingers, shattering against the marble floor. Neither of us moves to clean it up.

“No, that’s impossible. Virginia would never-”

“Look at the next photo.”

He does, and I watch the blood drain from his face. It’s a bank record. Payments to Dr. Bayli, the obstetrician who nearly killed Scarlett during delivery. Payments that came from an account Virginia opened the day after Scarlett left town.

“Dr. Bayli was arrested for attempted murder,” I continue, keeping my voice level. “But your

lover bailed her out.”

“She’s not my lover.” Jasper stares at the photos, anger, wrath and a frightening emotion I can’t identify burning in his gaze. “How did you get these?”

“Not important. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

He goes quiet for so long I wonder if he’s gone into shock. Then he reaches into his jacket and pulls out his own envelope.

“I got this today.”

I take the envelope, not sure what to expect. What I find makes my blood turn to ice.

“What the hell?” I curse, unable to stop myself.

“There are more,” Jasper says quietly. “And if they’re what I think they are, then….”

I flip through the rest of the stack, my jaw clenching tighter with each image. “How long do these photos go back?”

“Eleven years. From the day I met Scarlett until…” He swallows hard. “Until the day we got married.”

I set the photos down carefully, my hands steadier than I feel. “Do you know who is behind

her?”

“I have a guess. But I need to confirm.”

“And I need to gather evidence.” I lean forward, meeting his eyes. “Something tells me this isn’t all. We need to dig deeper, find out what else Virginia has done, all while protecting Scarlett and Lily from her conspiracy.”

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“How? I can’t exactly go to Scarlett and say ‘hey, remember that woman who destroyed our marriage? Turns out she’s been trying to kill you for years.”

“We don’t tell her. Not yet.” I pull out my phone. “We watch them. Twenty–four seven. My security team is already in place around Scarlett’s building.”

“You have people watching her?”

“I’ve had people watching her since the day James and Blair took Lily without informing Scarlett.”

Jasper stares at me for a long moment. “Compared to you, I feel my love for them is shallow.”

“Love isn’t something that can be measured.” I slide a business card across the table. “You feel it. And when you do, it’s expressed in your every action.”

Jasper picks up the card. It’s blank except for a phone number.

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