“Why?!”
Lily stared at him, incredulous.
“I have a wife,” Jasper spread his hand, pointing to the ring on his finger, “If you want to bear the stigma of being a mistress forever, that’s your choice.”
“You agreed to no status back then, and I’ve never shorted you materially. It was mutual consent, fair exchange, don’t dream of rising in status through a child.”
“If I don’t acknowledge you, don’t even think about stepping into the Jasper family. Now get out!”
Lily got out of the car, devastated. As soon as she touched the ground, the car roared away, splashing water everywhere, drenching her. She clenched her fists, eyes filling with hateful malice.
After Luna’s death, Jasper no longer enjoyed parties, locking himself in his room after work, drinking himself into a stupor.
Only then could he temporarily forget everything and fall into a deep sleep.
Before sleeping, he thought, Luna was such a little liar, saying she’d come home with him, yet never appeared in his dreams.
“You’re not welcome here. Don’t even think about setting foot in the Johnson Family home. Leave now!”
Lily stepped out of the car, feeling utterly distraught. As she got out, the car zoomed off, splashing water all over her. She clenched her fists, her eyes filling with bitterness and hatred.
Ever since Luna passed away, Jasper had stopped attending social gatherings. After work, he would lock himself in his room and drink until he was completely intoxicated. Only then could he momentarily forget everything and fall into a deep sleep.
Before drifting off, he would think of how Luna was a little deceiver. She had promised to come home with him but never once appeared in his dreams.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep when his phone’s ringing pulled him back to reality. He fumbled for the phone, and Mrs. Johnson’s voice came through.
“Jasper, come back to the old house tonight.”
Jasper murmured a low “okay,” hung up, and staggered into the bathroom.
As the car pulled into the Johnson Family’s old house, Jasper walked in to find Lily sitting obediently on the sofa. She was gently patting her slightly swollen belly while talking to Mrs. Johnson. On seeing Jasper, her face lit up with delight.
Mrs. Johnson followed her gaze. “Jasper, come and have a look. This child is definitely going to be as lively as you. It’s already so active in the womb.”
Jasper’s expression turned cold. This woman hadn’t bothered him for months. He thought she had sensibly taken the money and left. He hadn’t expected her to come up with this ploy. He had underestimated her.
9:11 AMO
<
500
Jasper sneered, implying, “Quite a strategy you’ve got there.”
Lily’s face turned pale for a moment, and she silently lowered her head.
Seeing this, Mrs. Johnson defended, “What are you saying? You can’t blame anyone else for this situation you created. You have to take responsibility.”
“Lily is carrying a Johnson Family child. There’s no reason for the child to be left out. The baby is already a few months along, so wait until it’s born, then get married…”
“Mom, how long has it been since Luna passed away, and you’re already eager for me to remarry? I know I was wrong, and I admit it…”
“That’s why I have to spend my life making amends. I can’t let Luna down again. Otherwise, I won’t be able to face her after I die.”
Hearing Jasper speak so earnestly, Mrs. Johnson was taken aback and quickly tried to comfort him:
“Yes, you made a mistake, but it’s not a big deal. It’s just a mistake that all men in the world make. Realizing your mistake is already
commendable…”
“Besides, Luna’s death has nothing to do with you. There’s no need to take all the blame upon yourself. The deceased is at peace now…”
Jasper abruptly interrupted her, “Mom, stop it. I’m not planning to remarry in this lifetime. No one can force me.”
With that, Jasper turned and left.
Behind him came the sound of soft sobbing. Mrs. Johnson quickly comforted, “Don’t mind that brat, the child is the priority.”
Lily watched Jasper’s departing figure and wiped her tears. She softly said, “Mom, I’m tired.”
“Then I’ll have the driver take you back.”
Lily nodded obediently.
In the car on the way back, her phone rang loudly. She glanced at the unmarked number and frowned in annoyance, putting her phone on
silent.
“We’re here.”
Lily came back to her senses, got out of the car, thanked the driver politely, and then turned to walk toward the apartment.
As soon as the car drove off, a shadow emerged from the nearby greenery.
“What’s the meaning of not answering my calls?”
“Our deal is over. Don’t come looking for me again.”
“No, no, a million isn’t enough to buy my brother’s future. Besides, I risked going to jail to help you with this act. Now that you’re living the high life in the Johnson Family, shouldn’t you show a little gratitude?”
Lily frowned in frustration, “How much do you want?”
The man gestured with his hand. Seeing Lily hesitate, he pretended to leave.
“No problem, I’ll just ask Mr. Johnson if he has any…”
“Wait!”
Lily said bitterly, “Take the money and leave the city immediately. Never step foot here again.”
‘Deal.”
Watching the man’s shameless back, Lily stomped in anger. Knowing gamblers are endless pits, she could only gamble. If Jasper found out what she had done, it might cost her life, let alone her chance of marrying into the Johnson Family.
9:11 AM
<
The child was her last card.
Lily carefully walked into the apartment, supporting her belly. She didn’t notice the black luxury car parked in the corner across the street.
The man in the back seat, hidden in the shadows, spoke in a cold, deep voice, “Investigate that man.”
“Yes.”
Aiden’s assistant was efficient. In less than half an hour, he delivered all the man’s information.
“David Blake, 48 years old, a gambling addict, divorced, owes a lot in high–interest loans. He’s the brother of the hit–and–run driver. The driver has a daughter with leukemia undergoing treatment in the hospital.”
“Three months ago, Mrs. Johnson was robbed in the mall’s parking lot.”
All the clues formed a complete story chain.
Jasper wasn’t foolish. He just never thought Lily would dare hire someone to kill, so he never considered that Luna’s death might have a hidden truth.
How could she dare?
Jasper clenched his fists, his pale knuckles indicating he was on the verge of rage.
He glanced up at the second–floor bedroom. By the large floor–to–ceiling window, Lily was on the phone.
After hanging up, Lily took a shower and lay on the bed, idly scrolling through her phone. She logged into an account she hadn’t accessed in a long time. The last note was from months ago, showing her and Jasper holding hands by the shores of Lake Elara.
As she scrolled down, her vision blurred with tears. Sweet memories felt as if they were from yesterday, yet so distant as if from a lifetime ago.
She couldn’t help but wonder if she had really made a mistake.
If she hadn’t been so greedy and just stayed by Jasper’s side, would things have turned out differently?
But things were as they were. She could only continue down the wrong path. As long as she had the child, she believed Jasper would eventually come back.
The dead couldn’t compete with the living.
With that thought, Lily wiped her tears and logged out.
She glanced at the mountain of private messages.
Many fans asked if there was a problem in her relationship with Jasper since there hadn’t been an update in a while.
For once, Lily showed a genuine smile. To reassure her fans, she took a photo of her pregnant belly and edited a note.
“Don’t worry, we’re doing great. We’ve been living well even without updates. We’re about to become parents!”
After editing, Lily turned off her phone and fell into a deep sleep.
Little did she know, when she woke up, her world had crumbled.
Lily woke up the next morning to find her notes and messages had exploded.
But they weren’t the usual well–wishes.
Instead, they were filled with curses.
Words like ‘homewrecker, ‘bitch, and ‘slut‘ filled the comments section.
9:11 AM
<
Confused, she scrolled down and saw the comment with the most likes.
It was from Jasper.
He didn’t say anything, just posted a photo of a marriage certificate with key information blurred out.
The replies under this comment were also full of insults.
“Slut with a dog, forever together. Scumbag and bitch, pretending to be deep in love.”
“Truly shameless, it’s the first time I’ve seen someone so openly proud of being a homewrecker.”
“The original wife must have been really unlucky to meet you two.”
Lily didn’t want to read any more and quickly logged out of the account.
