Fractured Loyalties

Jasper's POV 

The moment Mia stepped into the mansion, I knew something was definitely wrong.

Her posture were tense, her expression unreadable, but her eyes —those eyes that had begun to soften towards me—held something else. Something dark. Fear, maybe. Or uncertainty. 

I  couldn't actually deduce what it was, but it wasn't something good. And this is the first time I'm seeing her like this. Mia has always been positive minded no matter the what's happening.

I had been worried when I noticed she wasn't in the house. She knew I didn't like her wandering off alone, and yet she had done I anyway. Thank God, she was safe.

I stepped closer, my eyes scanning her as if I could somehow see the problem in her gaze. "Where were you?"

She hesistated for a second before brushing past me—she couldn't even stare at me . "Just needed a fresh air.

Liar. I knew when she was hiding something.

She looked exhausted, and emotionally drained. But for now, I won't press for details. I will let it slide.

"You look tired," I said reaching for her arm, but she flinched slightly before recovering, forcing a small smile.

"I am. I should get some sleep."

I nodded, watching her disappear down the hallway, a gnawing feeling settling in my gut. Something had happened out  there. Something she wasn't telling me. 

Was it my father? Or my enemies? Did they threaten her? Or was it.....her mother?

Several unanswered questions crossed my mind. 

Maybe I should have pressed. But it's fine. I would find out sooner or later.

Instead, I turned and headed to my room, already making plans for tomorrow.

The next morning 

Mia sat across from me at the dining table, picking on her meal absentmindedly. She wasn't avoiding me, but she was also unusually quiet. It was unlike my Mia.

I tilted forward, settling my cutlery down. "I know you're tired, but I need you for something."

She raised a brow, wary like it was my voice that pulled her out of her thoughts. "What?"

"There's a man who crossed me. He thinks he can get away with it, but I don't let betrayals slide. I need you to lure him in so we can finish the job."

Mia's fork clattered against her plate. "Lure him?" She repeated slowly, her tone unreadable.

I nodded. "This is more simpler than any missions you've gone in the past. Jayden will be with you. So you won't be in any real danger."

She stared at me for long moment before sighing. "Fine."

I smiled at her, taking her hand in mine. "I know I could count on you. Thanks."

She nodded, forcing a smile.

The silence in the room was palpable. I hesistated before speaking again."I don't know what's going on with you, Mia," I said softly, my voice filled with concern. "But I hope you can count on me to fix it and tell me about it."

"I'm fine, Jasper."

*******

Later that night, the moment Mia stepped back into the mansion, I could sense the trouble looming around her.

She stormed into the living room, her hands clenched into fists, her entire body trembling with fury. Jayden was right behind her, his expression grim.

I stood, calmly, watching and waiting for her reaction. "What happened?"

"What happened?" She echoed, her voice rising with anger —one I have never seen before. "Because of your stupid mission, a teenager died!'

My brows furrowed. It was nothing serious but why was she making a issue out of nothing. "So?"

Mia looked at me like she didn't even recognise me anymore or perhaps I have been possessed by forbidden spirit.

"And?" She repeated, her voice trembling. "That was an innocent kid, Jasper. He had nothing to do with this, and now the poor child is dead because of you. Because of your carelessness."

I exhaled, my patience wearing thin. "He wasn't innocent."

Mia took a step forward, her voice cracked under the weight of her rage. Her entire body trembling, her hands clenched so tightly that they turn pale. "You're playing god, deciding who gets to live and who dies. But this? This was just pure evil, Jasper. That was a child!"

I met her glare unflinching. "If we left him alive, he would have grown up with a grudge. He would probably become a hassle and come back for revenge in the future. I simply prevented that."

Her breath seized as if my words were a blow to her face. "You planned this?"

I nodded, unwavering. "Yes, it was necessary. I'm simply cutting the tree from the root."

Mia shook her head, disbelief colouring her features and then disbelief. "I quit," she said quietly, but the steel in her voice was unwavering.

I tensed. "Quit."

She nodded, her jaw tightened. "I quit from everything that has to do with you. With this life. With us. With the marriage."

For the first time, something inside me shifted. Pain? Rage? Regret? I don't know.

I watched her, waiting for her to take back her word, to reconsider. But she didn't.

Instead she turned around and walked away.

I didn't stop her.

I just stood there, watching her leave, feeling something strange settled in my chest.

Emptiness.

Jayden who had been watching the whole scene quietly, stepped closer. "Don't you think you should go after her?" He said, his voice laced with concern. "I think she's really serious about leaving this time."

Silence.

I should have stand up, but my legs were numb—i could hardly feel them beneath me.

When I regained myself, I quickly stormed out and made my way towards her room, my heart racing.

I flung the door open violently but It wasn't empty. But she wasn't there and her bag was no where to be found. The clothes and bags that I bought for her were scattered on the bed 

She was already gone? Had she been planning to leave before and only used this mission as an excuse?

I made my way towards the balcony. And there she was—getting into a taxi. 

Our eyes met for the briefest moment—full of pain, of finality. I took a step forward, but the car door shut between us. Then, she was gone. Just like that.

I stood there, my heart hammering against my ribs as I watched the taxi drove away.

Was this all a dream? I closed my eyes and opened it again, but it was real. It was fucking real.

The woman I love—the one I had planned a future with was gone, and I didn't try to stop her.