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Chapter_6
As the door closed behind them, the soft beeping of medical machines filled the sterile, quiet room. Newton Beckett lay in the bed, looking frailer than the last time Alyssa had seen him. His once-vibrant eyes were now dull, and his face, usually full of the stern authority that came with age, now seemed softer—vulnerable.
Alyssa approached the bedside slowly, her heart tightening at the sight of the man who had always treated her like family. Despite the years of tension with his grandson, Newton had always been kind to her, his affection genuine, free from any pretense or expectation.
“Grandpa,” she said softly, her voice shaking slightly despite her efforts to remain composed.
Newton’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. A slow, weak smile spread across his face. “Alice… my dear Alice,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Alyssa leaned over and gently took his hand, her eyes welling up with tears she hadn’t expected to shed. Despite the years of turmoil with Jasper, she had always valued her relationship with Newton. He had been her anchor in the chaos, the one person who had never asked her to conform or change.
“I’m here,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m here, Grandpa.”
Jasper stood silently at the foot of the bed, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of resentment and something deeper—perhaps guilt. He couldn’t decide. His eyes flickered from Alyssa to his grandfather, then back to Alyssa again.
Newton’s grip on Alyssa’s hand tightened, and his eyes locked onto hers with a sense of urgency. “I need you to do something for me,” he said, his voice more insistent now. “The family needs you. Don’t let them fall apart… You and Jasper… you have to work together. Promise me that.”
Alyssa stiffened, her heart sinking. She had promised herself she would never let her life be dictated by the Beckett family again. But looking at Newton, knowing how much he meant to Jasper, she couldn’t refuse him.
“I’ll… I’ll do my best,” she said, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Jasper’s gaze hardened as he watched the interaction. He knew what his grandfather was asking, and it irked him more than he cared to admit. He had never wanted Alyssa to be a part of his world again—his pride wouldn’t allow it. But Newton, in his weakened state, was still the patriarch of the family, and his wishes carried weight.
“Alice,” Newton continued, his voice growing weaker, “you and Jasper… you two have always been a team. I know things between you have changed, but family comes first. Please, for me.”
Alyssa could feel the weight of his words bearing down on her, the silent pressure that had always existed between her and the Beckett family. She had once hoped that love and commitment could bind them all together, but now, after everything, she realized that the ties between them had always been more about duty than affection.
“I’ll keep my promise,” she said finally, her tone firm, but her insides churned with conflicting emotions. She wasn’t sure if she was agreeing out of respect for Newton or if it was the remnants of her old feelings for Jasper that still lingered beneath the surface.
Newton closed his eyes with a satisfied sigh. “Thank you… I knew I could count on you.”
Alyssa gave his hand a final squeeze, then stood up. She turned to face Jasper, her expression cold, yet there was something in her eyes—a flicker of the woman who had once loved him without reserve.
“I’ll leave you to be with him,” she said softly, avoiding his gaze. “But take care of him, Jasper. He’s more important than anything else.”
She didn’t wait for his response, knowing that no matter what he said, it wouldn’t change the truth: Jasper had never understood the weight of love, nor the sacrifices that came with it.
As Alyssa stepped out of the room, she felt a strange emptiness settle in her chest. It was like a final chapter closing on a book she had long since put down. She no longer craved anything from Jasper. No apology, no affection. She had given everything she had to him, only to realize that she was worth more than the scraps he was willing to offer.
The door clicked shut behind her, and the soft murmur of voices from the hallway faded as she walked away. She didn’t look back. There was nothing left for her in that world.