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Chapter_82
Jasper’s heart sank as his grandfather’s voice cracked through the phone. He knew how much his grandpa adored Alice, and hearing his distress made him feel even worse. But as he glanced down at Lauren, who was still clutching her teddy bear tightly, the weight of his responsibilities pressed heavily on him.
“Grandpa, I’ll take care of it,” Jasper replied, trying to keep his voice steady, despite the growing anxiety inside him. “I’ll contact Alice, don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can see her soon.”
He ended the call, but the unease didn’t fade. The growing rift between him and Alice was something he couldn’t ignore, and now it seemed like his family was pulling him in different directions. Between his grandfather’s plea, Lauren’s emotional outburst, and the complications with Alice, it felt like everything was spiraling.
“Lauren, I know you’re upset, but please try to understand,” Jasper said softly as he turned back to his younger sister, who was still quietly sobbing into her teddy bear. “I’m trying my best to fix things. I don’t want anyone to be hurt, especially not you.”
Lauren shook her head, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, her voice thick with emotion. “I just want Alice back, Jasper! Why did everything have to change? Why can’t we all be happy again?”
Jasper’s chest tightened. The pain in Lauren’s voice was a reminder of how much Alice had meant to their family, and how much it hurt to see everything falling apart.
“I know, Lauren,” he murmured. “I know. I’ll do what I can. Just… stay strong, okay? You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Lauren nodded, though her face was still streaked with tears. She clutched the teddy bear to her chest protectively, as if holding onto it could somehow bring her the comfort she desperately needed.
Jasper stood there for a moment, his mind racing with thoughts of how to mend the situation. His family, Alice, and his own feelings were all tangled together, and the path forward wasn’t clear. But one thing was certain: he couldn’t afford to lose anyone he cared about.
He reached down to gently squeeze Lauren’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s head inside. I’ll make sure everything gets sorted, okay?”
Lauren gave a small nod, her sobs gradually calming down as she clung to her teddy bear. Jasper led her back toward the manor, his mind still grappling with the weight of the phone call and the growing tension with Alice.
As they entered the house, the chaos of his family’s emotions felt like it was closing in on him from all sides. But he couldn’t afford to break—not now, not when so many people were counting on him.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he would have to make a decision soon—one that could change everything. But for now, he focused on getting through the day. One step at a time.