Can’t Win Me Back

It was as though Jasper was adrift in a pool of pure astonishment, and the fact that the ledge beneath

them was falling apart only enhanced this surreal feeling.

“Hurry, Alice!” he cried, resurrecting a name that had been dormant in his mind for years.

Alyssa jolted in shock. The call of that name seemed to give her a boost of adrenaline. She was able to

push herself up on the ledge at the last second, right into Jasper’s arms.

He held her close in his arms, keeping her safe.

A thunderous boom echoed through the air.

Just as the rocky ledge disintegrated and tumbled down the mountainside, Jasper deftly rolled aside,

narrowly escaping the peril.

“Fuck!” he hissed in pain when his back collided with a boulder. The intensity of the pain led to an

immediate outbreak of sweat on his skin.

“Are you hurt?” Alyssa asked worriedly, noticing how pale he was.

Jasper shook his head, his voice steady as he reassured, “I’m okay.”

Alyssa heaved a sigh of relief, falling back against his chest. By now, both were thoroughly drenched and

shivering from the cold.

“Why… Why didn’t you tell me?” Jasper asked hoarsely, gazing at her.

“What?” Alyssa avoided his gaze.

“Why didn’t you tell me that we met 13 years ago? Why didn’t you tell me you were the girl I saved all

those years ago?” Jasper asked, pain and anguish flooding his chest.

throat clamped in

call her Alice because of that? Because he suddenly remembered?

But why now?

only after 13 years?

too late now. How she wished he had never

Jasper asked, forcing her

+15 BONUS

called myself

pricked Jasper’s heart. Of

nickname because she refused to answer when he

in Wonderland.

in his wildest dreams did Jasper imagine that a seemingly trivial and long-forgotten memory

intertwining their lives 13 years later. She had

it secret for so long,

need to, really. I never hoped

all. Whether it

Jasper’s breathing hitched.

forgetfulness of her or in his act of

ago. Yet, he couldn’t stop the guilt

13 years, yet he had forgotten her. All

only wanted

sorry…” Jasper croaked out. “I … really didn’t know… If I

would have still divorced me,

smile widened. Though she had her regrets about him, she wasn’t holding on anymore.

“Whether I’m Alyssa or Alice, they’re nothing more than just names.

really. I should

a chance to know your name or who

properly thank you.”

Alyssa?” Jasper wanted to know the answer

I saved you once, and you

in the past now. No point digging up a failed

if closing a tender place in

on getting to safety right now.

seemed to be an unspoken truce between them