Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Chapter 2229

'Lyse, calm down. Listen to me!"

Jonah felt a sharp pain in his chest, emotions swirling inside him. He knew he couldn't keep the truth from Alyssa but had to explain it in a way that didn't make things seem worse than they were.

*Jasper got hurt fighting Jameson on Rose Island. He's been unconscious since then. But don't worry, aside from being shot in the left shoulder, he has no other external injuries, and his internal organs are fine."

"Left shoulder... again?" Alyssa's eyes brimmed with tears. Her heart ached for him. "Back on Shelland Island, Jasper hurt his left shoulder saving me. Now, he's been shot there again? His left shoulder will be ruined for life!" A tear rolled down her cheek as if the bullet had pierced her heart too.

"Don't worry, Lyse," Miley said quickly. "Jeremy and I found the best surgeon in Kontina to remove the bullet and operate. Jasper's arm will be fine. He might have some pain, but it won't stop him from living normally."

"If it's just an external injury, why is he still unconscious?" Alyssa's voice trembled with anxiety.

The room felt suffocating, as if invisible hands were choking her, spreading a deep unease throughout her body. "I need to see Jasper! I have to be with him!"

Ignoring her brothers' protests, Alyssa rolled out of bed. Her eyes were reddened. She yanked the IV needle from her hand and stumbled out of the ward.

"Lyse! Your body's too weak. You shouldn't move!"

Jonah and Axel rushed to help her, but before they could, her legs buckled, and she collapsed onto her knees.

Still, she didn't give up. She was determined to reach Jasper, even if she had to crawl to him.

In the end, Jonah scooped her up and carried her to see Jasper. He was still unconscious.

*Jasper... What in the world happened to you? Why are you unconscious for so long?"

Alyssa's hospital gown was drenched in her cold sweat. Tears trickled down her pale cheeks and onto Jasper's calloused hands. "Wake up.... Wake up and look at me, okay?

"I won't go about my own way again. I will listen to you in the future... I won't be so headstrong anymore... I won't have you worry about me anymore. Don't scare me... Jasper, wake up!"

But only silence greeted her.

Jasper's palm was filled with callouses and scars.

She held Jasper's scarred hands in hers. She remembered how those hands had softened after leaving the military for the business world. But for her, he picked up his weapons again and again, braving the storms to protect her.

He paid the price, with injuries that wrecked his body and stole years from his life.

She claimed to love him most in this world, yet here he was, suffering because of her.

Was this what she called love?

Jasper had endured so much pain because of her. Was this really the love she gave him?

How ridiculous!

Alyssa buried her face into Jasper's chest, weeping uncontrollably. Jonah stood behind her, lost, unsure of how to comfort her.

They were a couple cursed with bitter fate. They had only known a fleeting taste of happiness before life cruelly intervened once more.

Just then, the door to Jasper's hospital room swung open. Julien entered in his doctor's coat. His expression was grim as he held a CT scan.