Chapter 19 Awful
In her previous life, Allison had trusted Jasper completely, even when she knew Chloe was constantly setting traps for her.
She’d believed that no matter what happened, the girl he had raised and protected would always be the one he favored.
That foolish belief had cost her everything. She didn’t realize how ridiculous her stubborn faith had been until she’d lost her life because of it.
Without saying a word, Allison walked over to the couch, grabbed her phone, and slipped it into her pocket. “I don’t want to make you angry, so I won’t disturb you two anymore. I hope you’ll stop bothering me too.”
She turned and left without another glance.
Jasper’s expression tightened as he moved to follow her, but Chloe caught his arm.
“Jasper, she’s in such a hurry to leave, and she won’t even show us the video,” Chloe said with wide, innocent eyes. “She’s obviously guilty. Don’t go after her and make yourself more upset.”
Jasper’s anger flared at Allison’s behavior.
She’s not just lying now–she’s playing games! I should have punished her properly earlier. Otherwise, she’ll never learn to grow up!
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Chapter 19 Awful
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Jasper turned to her, his gaze softening. “I’m not leaving. I’ll stay and celebrate your birthday with you.”
“You’re so good to me, Jasper.”
Back in her dorm room, Allison sat at her desk with her phone, reviewing the video she’d recorded. The angle was perfect, and the footage was crystal clear.
Thank God she’d escaped that disaster.
To be safe, she needed to stay far away from both of them from now on. She glanced at her desk calendar–seven days left.
Before class started, her adoptive mother, Melissa Sterling, called to wish her a happy birthday. After they hung up, Melissa wanted to transfer money as a birthday gift and asked for Allison’s bank account number.
This happened every year, and Allison always accepted the money happily. This time, she simply ignored the request.
Breaking free from the Sterling family wouldn’t be difficult. She just needed to leave Jasper. He was the one she truly depended on. Jasper now controlled the Sterling family empire, and whatever he said became law.
Allison hadn’t expected Jasper to call that evening. She’d already turned off the lights and was lying in bed when her phone rang. Two hours remained until midnight, which meant her birthday wasn’t over yel.
2/5
20:55.
Chapter 19 Awful
Nothing’s gonna go wrong, right?
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The thought made her too nervous to ignore the call. “Hello?”
“Come downstairs,” Jasper said coolly.
A few minutes later, Allison walked out of her dormitory building and spotted the black luxury car parked at the entrance. Jasper stepped out of the vehicle.
Allison stared in surprise.
How did the school let him drive right up to the building?
Then again, he was their golden benefactor–the man who’d donated an entire building to the university. Of course they’d bend over backward to accommodate him.
Jasper stood with one hand in his pocket, looking down at her with a stern expression. “You were in the wrong today, but Chloe isn’t even angry with you. Yet here you are, making a scene over nothing.”
Allison didn’t want to argue with him. She was surprised he’d even bothered to come looking for her at this hour.
He finished keeping Chloe company and finally thinks of me?
“Did you need something?” she asked.
Jasper pulled his hand from his pocket, revealing an expensive jewelry box. He held it out to her. “Open it. See if you like it.” 3/5
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Chapter 19 Awful
familiar necklace inside.
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Isn’t this the same birthday gift Jasper gave to Chloe in my past life? Why is he giving it to me now?
“It’s your birthday present,” Jasper said. “Stop making a scene. Aren’t you tired of all this drama? What good does it do you to make me angry? Allie, you’re grown up now. You need to be smarter about this.”
Allison looked up at him. “I must seem pretty awful to you, don’t
I?”
Jasper frowned. “You can have anything you want. The position of the lady of the Sterling family will only ever be yours. Come on, be good.” He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
The warmth of his palm, his handsome features, and that low, coaxing voice–it was exactly the combination that used to work every time.
In the past, Allison would have thrown herself into his arms. with tears in her eyes, pouting and acting cute until her anger melted away.
But the real problems were never actually addressed or solved. Jasper always assumed that once the moment passed, everything was fine–because he wasn’t the one getting hurt.
“I had them remake your cake,” Jasper said.
The driver stepped forward and carefully lifted a cake from the
holding it like a human table while he stood to the side.20:55
Chapter 19 Awful
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Jasper personally placed the candles on the cake and lit them. “Make a wish.”
They stood beneath the dim lights outside the dormitory building, the flickering candles casting the only bright glow around them. The circle of light wrapped around Allison and Jasper like their own private, romantic bubble.
Allison thought she really did need to make a wish. She was just about to close her eyes and clasp her hands together when Jasper’s phone rang.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.