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 on

Alice because of

But why now?

after

she

asked, forcing her to meet his gaze.

+15 BONUS

remember why I called myself Alice when we married?” she asked

Of course he did.

she refused to answer when he asked. He named

Alice in

his wildest dreams did Jasper imagine that

intertwining their lives 13 years later. She had even married

it secret for so long,

need to, really. I never hoped

in your life, after all. Whether it was 13 years, three years, or right now.”

Jasper’s breathing hitched.

his complete forgetfulness of

stop the guilt weighing on

had kept him in her heart for 13 years, yet he had forgotten her. All she ever did was try

distance, unlike him, who only wanted to

… really didn’t know… If

would have still

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

or Alice, they’re nothing

really. I should be the one thanking

years ago, I never got a chance to know

properly thank you.”

to know the answer to

“Is it just because I saved you once, and

all in the past now. No point digging up

closing a tender place

need to focus on getting to safety right now.

an unspoken truce between them as they waded through the thunderstorm.