Chapter 19
Just like always, Connor set down the things in his hands and pulled Holly into a warm hug. Then, he planted a kiss on her lips.
Holly responded just as affectionately. The two of them even drank the same glass of fruity
soda.
“Why are you two so lovey–dovey every single day?” Ella, who was carrying her backpack, plopped into her usual seat as she rested her chin on her cupped hands with a grin.
“Then, you should go find yourself a boyfriend, too,” a nearby customer teased her with at laugh.
“I already have one! His name is Allen, and he’s eight years old. He gave me a flower plushie on Children’s Day!” Ella declared seriously, hands on her hips.
Everyone in the shop burst into laughter at her adorable response.
Jasper stood awkwardly to the side, his stomach throbbing in pain again. He pulled out a handkerchief and held it to his mouth, coughing up so much blood that it soaked his palm.
It was such a beautiful scene. Yet, he was just an outsider there, standing in a corner while watching the happiness that no longer belonged to him unfold.
He could have had all of this so easily in the past. The most precious gift was right by his side, but he had taken it for granted until it was gone from his life.
At first, even he himself hadn’t understood why he got involved with Nadine’s roommate. Maybe it started as a way to push Nadine away, which eventually led to his getting close to Holly. At the time, he didn’t even know if he loved her.
When Nadine returned, claiming she had cancer, Jasper couldn’t help himself, even though he knew she was lying. He divorced Holly, lied to her, and even slept with Nadine. Only after Holly left did he finally realize who he truly loved
Connor munched on two more cookies before noticing the man in the suit standing in the corner. He didn’t like how he was staring at Holly with an unreadable expression.
Instantly, Connor felt a sting of jealousy. His danger instincts flared up. Without a word, he stepped protectively in front of Holly.
But to his surprise, the stranger was shameless enough to walk right up to the bar with reddened eyes as he asked meekly, “Can we talk, my dear wife?”
“What did you just say? Holly is my girlfriend!” Connor’s anger surged, male possessiveness taking over as he shoved Jasper hard.
But Jasper, who looked tall and strong, was incredibly frail. With just that one push, he
Cha
collapsed to the ground and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Connor was stunned and unable to process what just happened.
“Watch over the shop for a bit. I’ll explain everything tonight,” Holly comforted him dotingly, pinching his puffed–up cheeks before going to help Jasper up.
They walked to a small wooden house nearby. Holly had just bought it last week. She had carefully decorated it with a courtyard filled with flowers.
Jasper felt a rush of emotion that was mixed with a hint of comfort.
Holly had finally realized her dream. She had a warm, cozy home by the sea with someone she loved. It might be a quiet and uneventful life, but it was one full of romance and joy.
Jasper no longer had any place in her world.
“How have you been?” Holly spoke first, casually playing with a butterfly fluttering around her fingers.
“I didn’t expect to run into you here. I’ve already made Nadine pay for what she did, and I’ll continue to atone for my mistakes. I only have a few months left to live… So, could you let me stay by your side–even just as a friend?” Jasper blurted out a stream of words in a panicked
tone.
He feared that everything before him was just a dream from some fevered nap. He was scared that it would all vanish as soon as he woke up.
“There’s no need. I’m doing just fine now. You saw it yourself. My boyfriend gets jealous easily. If he sees you hanging around me every day, he’ll be upset,” Holly said as she released the butterfly from her hand.
“I understand…” Jasper gave a bitter smile and stood up to leave, but Holly spoke again.
She called out, “Wait. There’s something you should know. When I first heard the news about your bankruptcy, I believed it. I never once thought of leaving you.
“I even secretly worked more than ten part–time jobs. I ran a high fever, and my knee was injured and inflamed, but I didn’t cry–not even once.
“I just hoped I could lighten your burden, even just a little. But then I found out everything was a lie. It was nothing but a carefully planned scheme so that Nadine could take my place. From that moment on, all my feelings for you disappeared.
Jasper collapsed to his knees in despair, no longer caring buried his face in his hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
about dignity or appearances. He
It turned out that everything he had once possessed–every bit of love–had been a gift from Holly. And he had foolishly destroyed it while hurting the one person in the world who had loved him most.
Changée 19
Back then, if he was even slightly out of sorts, Holly would immediately notice. She’d make him a big bowl of shaved ice. They’d then cuddle on the couch watching movies, taking turns eating from the bowl, only to end up with matching stomachaches the next day.
Now, Jasper’s tears had long run dry
It turned out that everything he had once possessed–every bit of love–had been a gift from Holly. And he had foolishly destroyed it while hurting the one person in the world who had loved him most.
Changée 19
Back then, if he was even slightly out of sorts, Holly would immediately notice. She’d make him a big bowl of shaved ice. They’d then cuddle on the couch watching movies, taking turns eating from the bowl, only to end up with matching stomachaches the next day.
Now, Jasper’s tears had long run dry. He could only cough up blood in agony while Holly remained unmoved.
She merely handed him a few tissues and said with finality, “Wipe your tears and go back.
