Can’t Win Me Back

Chapter 11

Alyssa, meanwhile, was singing a heart–rending aria to Jonah dressed in a sky–blue dress, her voice resounding in the wind. Her hair was pulled up into a casual bun and secured by a jeweled pin. She was the very image of an alluring beauty.

Jonah broke into applause once the song was over, his eyes brimming with indulgence. “Not bad. You were taught well. You would’ve been someone’s duchess or something back in the day.”

“Do I look like I want to be someone’s duchess? I want to be a queen who shines with confidence. Men aren’t loyal anyway.” She shattered the illusion of being a perfect lady in a split second as she cracked her knuckles.

“So what? We wouldn’t have ourselves three stepmothers otherwise.” Jonah smiled bitterly.

Alyssa adjusted her skirts and sat beside him. The mere mention of her father’s three other wives brought a complicated expression to her face.

“Lyse, it’s been three years. They miss you. They care about you enough to ask me about you in private.”

“What are you trying to say, Jonah?”

“I know you left home to go abroad to work with Doctors Without Borders because you were angry with Dad, Lyse.” Jonah gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder as his brows furrowed in melancholy. “That’s just the kind of man our father is. We don’t get to choose. No one is without their flaws. You loved Jasper Beckett for years. Haven’t you also come to notice his flaws after being married for three years?”

Alyssa blinked as she gripped the bracelet around her thin wrist.

“The difference here is that you can choose to leave Jasper, but the kinship with our father can never be severed. Try to accept him as he is. He loves you. His other wives are also kind people who have kept our home in order all these years. None of them harbor any untoward desires. I can personally vouch for them.”

What Jonah didn’t know was that she had already accepted them as early as two years ago because of a certain event.

Xavier dressed Jasper’s wound and left the room.

Jasper felt a headache coming on at the thought of Liana’s tantrum. He remembered her being a gentle and kind soul–an angel in human form. She never seemed like someone who would lose all sense of propriety. “People change, I guess,” he thought with a sigh. Liana was still his childhood sweetheart no matter what. It was she who accompanied him through his darkest moments. She was his anchor, and he was going to marry her.

He went through some documents while still enduring the pain when his gaze fell on the suit placed on the couch. Curious, he went to pick it up and take a closer look.

Jasper was roughly the same height as Jonah, but he had much broader shoulders and a thicker frame compared to the latter. It was clearly sized to fit him. “Hideous.” He sneered. It didn’t stop

from putting it on a few

clear that it fit him

for you. She’ll be so happy

Jasper.

you say?” Jasper was

asked me to pick it up from the atelier a month ago and got me to keep it a secret from you.

present? He stood frozen in

with Alice, Mrs. Rosie, but she’s not here anymore. You don’t have to keep flattering her.” His gaze turned

watched the handsome man in the mirror. “Madam Alice mentioned how the process of making clothing is a long one. Every thread and stitch is her handiwork. The fabric was custom–made too. Even the buttons were from an original mold. She was usually busy with chores and spent what little spare time she had every day at

closet. She didn’t want you

eyes widened in disbelief as his heart began to pound in

can check the label. Your name

suit and toss it onto the couch as though it were on fire. “We’re not married anymore. I’m not

you and Madam Alice get a divorce, Mr. Jasper? She’s

dearly…”

me dearly?” He scoffed. “If that were the case, would she have

Alice wouldn’t…” Mrs. Rosie was

what they say.

for her vices. It was clear he had blown his top. “Why pretend I’m all she needs when she feels nothing for me at all?

eventually fall in love? Did she take

much she loves you.” Mrs. Rosie shook her

“Enough, Mrs. Rosie.”

regret letting Madam Alice go one

woke her up at five on the dot. This was usually when she prepared breakfast for the Beckett family. Now, she

her way. The life of a

at the lake behind the estate. It was a beautiful morning, with birds singing and flowers in full bloom by the shore. Her graceful and powerful figure swept

water.

had breakfast and showered before coming down the stairs in