Chapter 130

Jasper’s POV

Even after all this time, Jasper was still unaccustomed to being rejected. Even though Aria had rejected him consistently for the past five years, he had somehow still convinced himself that Aria would accept him this time.

He believed, if she could see him, see how much he had changed, all the efforts he made for her and for himself all these years, then she would understand that he was serious and give him a chance.

Yet, here, now, he was faced with the opposite. Reality was always much colder and harsher than his perfect dreamland escape.

Aria, the only woman to ever reject him, continued to do just that.

And, in truth, he couldn’t even be mad. Or all that upset, for that matter. Maybe he always knew that he was lying to himself about how Aria would feel when faced with him again.

He always suspected that Aria might be hung up on Lucian forever. When she continued to love him even after the mutual rejection, which Jasper had witnessed, he knew. Even if he didn’t want to believe it with his heart, he knew deep down that she would never really let him go.

It was cute now, how she was trying to reject Jasper in the kindest way. He shook his head gently, hoping to ease some of her inner guilt and trouble.

“Don’t worry, Aria. I understand.”

That didn’t seem to help, she was so downtrodden. “I’m so sorry, Jasper. I wished I could feel differently.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Jasper realized he was still holding her hands, so he gave them a soft, gentle squeeze before letting her go.

“Jasper, I –”

“You don’t have to say anything more,” he told her, hoping to stop her before she could cut into him even worse than she’d already done. In trying to explain herself, she could damage his heart even further. “I hope you can forgive me for my own feelings.”

“Of course,” she said. “If you want to stay friends…”

“I do,” he said quickly. “I don’t regret my feelings for you, Aria. You helped me over the years, to want to be a better man. Even without you as my wife, I am proud of myself for how far I came. I want to keep making you proud. I wouldn’t want to lose you, not for anything.”

Her smile was so full of pity that it made Jasper ache.

“Would you be willing to stay friends with me?” he asked her.

“Yes,” she said simply, and that was that.

“Good. I’m glad.” He was pleased they would remain in each other’s lives but he still needed a moment to deal with the fallout of this. He wanted to retreat and lick his wounds in peace. They could go back to being friends tomorrow. “I’d like to hang out, before you leave again. Not today though. Today, I think I need time for me…”

“I understand,” she replied. “Yes, of course. I’d love to hang out with you before I leave.” She paused a moment. “I’m staying with Cathy. Have you been to see her lately? The kids and I are there.”

“I’d love to meet the children. Yes, I’ve seen Cathy. I’m sorry for what she’s going through.”

“I’ll save her,” Aria said, so boldly and confident, that Jasper nearly fell in love with her all over again.

“I know you will,” he said. He leaned in then. She froze as if unsure what he meant to do, but he just kissed her sweetly on the cheek and then stood. “I wish you nothing but happiness, Aria. I hope you know that.”

“I wish the same for you,” she said, recovering now that Jasper was standing.

“I’ll see you later,” he said and turned toward the door. Out in the hallway, he closed the door behind him, then remembered Lucian was also standing out there.

Lucky bastard had the best woman in the world in love with him and he didn’t even appreciate it. It was enough to make Jasper’s blood boil.

Jasper wasn’t angry with Aria and her feelings, but he could be furious at Lucian for all that he had done. If he had appreciated Aria when he had her, she never would have been sad. Jasper never would have needed to step in and he never would have fallen in love with her.

Jasper didn’t regret loving Aria, nor did he regret the kind of man he became because of that love. But for Aria’s sake, he was furious. She deserved better. She deserved someone who would love her as much as she loved, if not more.

But her heart was caught up on Lucian, and it was clear there was nothing Jasper, or anyone else could do about it.

Lucian looked at Jasper with his true emotions locked away in a vault like always, his expression blank.

“Are congratulations in order?” Lucian asked.

Lucian’s POV

When I asked the question, my heart was in my throat. Perhaps it shouldn’t have bothered me, knowing Jasper was in love with Dr. A enough to marry her, but with the very real possibility Dr. A was Aria, I felt sick to my stomach awaiting the answer.

This proposal at all had to be just more proof that Dr. A and Aria were the same person, didn’t it? Since when had Jasper even known Dr. A, let alone cared for her enough to propose? Meanwhile, five years ago, his feelings for Aria had been very clear.

I was still surprised he had not followed her when she left the pack.

It was possible that Jasper had met and fallen for Dr. A at some point in that 5 year interval, but I wasn’t so sure.

Jasper raised his gaze to mine and I was startled by the level of anger I saw there.

“No,” Jasper said. “She rejected me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Don’t lie to me, cousin,” Jasper snapped.

He was right. I had been lying. Hearing that Dr. A – possibly Aria – had rejected him filled me with relief. It was all I could do to keep my face carefully schooled.

“Did she give you a reason?” I asked, in an effort to be supportive. At least, that was what I told myself. Maybe I was lying again. Maybe I just wanted to know what she said.

“Yeah,” Jasper replied. “She’s in love with someone else.”

I straightened slightly and swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Did she say who?”

He gave me a flat look but didn’t answer. Then he glanced behind me, as if plotting his escape.

I had one last question before he left.

“Did you know Aria is in town?” I asked him.

Jasper didn’t even dignify my question with a response. Instead, he shook his head, and slowly walked forward, moving around me and toward the stair. He glanced back at me once by the door, but then just sighed, shook his head again, and disappeared into the stairwell.

He hadn’t answered my questions, but perhaps that was an answer in itself.

Maybe it was time for me to go to Dr. A with my questions instead. As I now knew her to be in the break room alone, I opened the door and walked inside.

Dr. A was sitting just where she’d been when I’d walked out. Looking down at her hands, she seemed lost.

“Dr. A?” I asked.

She looked up, right at me, but still seemed a thousand miles away.