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.

in on

Alice because of that?

But why now?

only after 13 years?

too late now. How she

me, Alyssa!” Jasper asked, forcing her to meet his

+15 BONUS

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

Jasper’s heart. Of course he did.

to answer when he asked. He named her “Alice”,

Alice in Wonderland.

his wildest dreams did Jasper imagine that

13 years later. She

secret for so

smiled lightly. “There’s no need to, really. I never hoped you would. I’m

Whether it was 13 years, three years,

Jasper’s breathing hitched.

was nothing amiss in his complete forgetfulness of her or in his act of

years ago. Yet, he couldn’t stop the guilt weighing on his

for 13 years, yet he

him, who only wanted to shut her

really didn’t know… If

have still divorced

her regrets

continued, “Whether I’m Alyssa or Alice, they’re nothing more than

need to apologize, really. I should

all those years ago, I never got a chance to know your name

properly thank you.”

me, Alyssa?” Jasper wanted to know the answer to this. It

it just because I saved you once, and you wanted to

anymore, Jasper. It’s all in the past now. No point digging up a

her eyes, as if closing a tender place

getting to safety right now. I’m freezing here.”

unspoken truce between them as they waded through the