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

her Alice because of that? Because he

But why now?

after 13 years?

too late now. How she wished he

Jasper asked, forcing her to meet his gaze.

+15 BONUS

you remember why I called myself Alice when

pricked Jasper’s heart. Of

because she refused to answer when he asked. He named

in

wildest dreams did Jasper imagine that

13 years later. She had even married him.

it secret for

you do.” Alyssa smiled lightly. “There’s no need to, really. I never hoped you would. I’m nothing

another passerby in your life, after all. Whether it was 13

Jasper’s breathing hitched.

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

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

in her heart for 13 years, yet he had forgotten her. All

only wanted to shut her

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

would have still divorced me, no?”

she had her regrets about him,

“Whether I’m Alyssa or Alice, they’re nothing more than just names. It wouldn’t

to apologize, really. I

years ago, I never got a chance to know your name or who

properly thank you.”

wanted to know the answer to this.

because I saved you

It’s all in the past now. No point digging up a failed marriage.”

if closing a tender place in her heart

said, “We need to focus on getting to safety right now.

between them as they waded