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Chapter_95
The brief moment of eye contact between Alyssa and Jasper sent an unexpected wave of tension through the room. Alyssa quickly looked away, her focus returning to the painting. Jasper, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel a small stir in his chest. There was something about the way she held herself—so composed, so confident—that made him uneasy, in a way he couldn’t explain.
Newton chuckled, his voice warm and filled with affection. “You always have an eye for detail, Alice. It’s no wonder you’re so talented.”
Alyssa smiled softly, but there was a distant quality to it as she nodded. “It’s just a hobby, Grandpa.”
Jasper, still standing near the door, observed her carefully. Hobby, she said. Yet, from the way she examined the painting with such expertise, he could tell there was more to her than the aloof, feisty woman he’d been dealing with. The contrast was striking—her precision, her elegance, her effortless charm. What else don’t I know about her?
Before he could ponder further, Newton shook his head, sighing dramatically. “I swear, my taste in art has become as questionable as my taste in family. How could I possibly let such a beautiful piece slip through my fingers?”
Alyssa stood up and patted Newton’s hand comfortingly. “It’s not a big deal, Grandpa. You just have to trust me more next time when it comes to art.”
Jasper was still processing her words when Newton turned to him with a smirk, clearly sensing the undercurrent of tension. “Jasper, you should learn a thing or two from Alice here. She might be a tough nut to crack, but she certainly knows her stuff.”
Jasper’s lips tightened, and he shot his grandfather a pointed look, though it quickly softened. “I don’t have the patience for art,” he replied coolly.
“Ah, the young generation,” Newton mused, shaking his head. “So practical. So dull.”
Alyssa chuckled softly at Newton’s teasing, but her gaze flickered back to Jasper. There was something unspoken between them, an unresolved conflict that seemed to hang in the air.
Alyssa knew this was her chance to distance herself from the chaos of her marriage. She was no longer tethered to Jasper, and yet, here he was, still lingering in the periphery of her life, creating ripples in her carefully crafted calm.
She gave Newton a reassuring smile before turning to leave the study. “I should probably be going soon. I promised myself I wouldn’t stay long today.”
Newton, though slightly disappointed, smiled warmly. “I understand, my dear. But promise me you’ll visit more often. I’ve been so lonely without you.”
“I promise, Grandpa,” Alyssa replied with sincerity, her voice gentle. She leaned down to kiss his cheek, her heart swelling with affection for the man who had been more of a father to her than her own. As she pulled away, she glanced toward the door, already making her way toward the exit.
Jasper watched her every movement with a furrowed brow. When she reached the door, he couldn’t help himself any longer. “You’re leaving already?”
Alyssa froze, her back still turned to him. “Yes,” she answered without looking back. “It’s better this way.”
“Better for who?” Jasper’s voice was low, almost inaudible, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her answer.
She exhaled, her shoulders tense. “For both of us.”
And with that, she walked out the door, leaving Jasper standing in the study, his mind racing with a mix of emotions.