The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 97

(Scarlett’s POV)

The silence that follows Virginia’s dramatic exit is deafening. The celebratory joy from earlier disappears, tainted by her performance.

After a long moment, James clears his throat. “We…should head home too.”

Blair nods, her eyes red with unshed tears. She kisses Lily’s forehead, then mine. “Take care, habibti. We’ll talk later.”

I watch them walk away, their shoulders hunched. Only when I see their defeated postures do I realize…the last four years haven’t been kind to them. They aged overnight without my

notice.

When they’re gone, I turn to Jasper with a bitter smile. “Well, your little wife has already left. Aren’t you going to run after her?”

He looks at me with an amused smile. “Aren’t you my wife? Where did this other wife come

from?”

His words leave me stumped. “We’re divorced.”

“No, sweetheart. We’re not divorced until I sign those papers.” He takes Lily from my arms. I don’t stop him. She’s gotten heavier. Carrying her has now become an exhausting task. “And I have no intention of ever signing them anytime soon.”

“You-”

“Scar, right now, I’m more concerned about this little reindeer who’s about to fall asleep.”

Lily giggles against his shoulder. “I’m not sleepy!”

“No? Then would you like to see the Christmas parade?”

Her eyes light up. “There’s a parade?”

“There sure is.”

Grabbing my hand, Jasper leads us to follow the crowd to Main Street, where floats decorated with twinkling lights roll past. He shifts Lily to sit on his shoulders, who claps at every marching band and waving Santa.

His free hand hovers near my back, the gesture natural, protective, whenever the crowd presses close.

1/4

< Chapter 97

More Rewards

After the parade, we stop at food trucks for hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. Lily gets it on her nose, and Jasper wipes it away with his thumb, making her

laugh.

“Remember our first Christmas parade?” he asks, watching Lily run off to pet a dog dressed

as reindeer.

I do remember. We were newlyweds then, Virginia not yet in our lives. He’d bought me a red scarf, and wrapped it around my neck, claiming I looked hideous with a red nose.

“Jasper…”

“What? It’s true.” He turns to me. “You look better with flushed cheeks.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “Don’t.” I shake my head. “Not here. Not today. Today is about Lily.”

“Right.” He intones, the smile fading from his eyes. His disappointment is stark as light. But I can’t be bothered to care.

We’re here only because of Lily and only for Lily today, and I intend to keep it that way.

As the sun is about to set, Avalon’s horse–drawn Santa sleigh makes its appearance.

On Lily’s insistence, Jasper convinces the rider dressed as Santa to drive her through the

snow–covered parks.

By the time it’s over, she’s fast asleep, exhausted from the excitement. Jasper carries her out, stuffing a stack of notes in the fake Santa’s hands as he leaves.

We walk back to his car in silence, Christmas lights reflecting off the snow, turning everything

into a winter wonderland.

A strange peace settles between us. It’s funny. In the years we’ve known each other, this is perhaps the first Christmas we spent together without either of us doing much talking.

Back at my apartment, Jasper carries Lily to her bedroom. She’s completely dead to the world, her reindeer face paint smudged but still visible.

I watch him tuck her in, smoothing her hair back from her forehead. The tenderness in his movements makes my chest ache. This is what I wanted four years ago. A father who loved his child, a husband who spent time with me.

“Thank you,” I say when he emerges from her room. “For giving Lily a memorable Christmas.”

“Scar, I…”

I don’t wait to hear what he wants to say, and go into my room, slamming the door. That’s his

2/4

:

< Chapter 97 sign to leave.

More Rewards

Once alone in my bedroom, I peel off the burgundy sweater and gray scarf, hanging them carefully in the closet. After today, I’ll probably never wear the scarf again.

Pulling on comfortable pajamas, I fix on my hijab, and pad back to the living room.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify