Can’t Win Me Back

Jasper grappled with heartache. The contrast between his tall figure and his helpless demeanor made him the more pitiful.

Axel shot up from the bed and grabbed Jasper's collar. Fixing a piercing gaze on Jasper, he bellowed, "What have you done to my sister? Did you force her into BDSM?"

"No..."

"Why is she bruised all over? Fuck! You should've been the sub even in BDSM!" Axel's grip inadvertently tore one of Jasper's buttons loose. Their faces were mere inches apart.

Axel continued, "We raised Lyse like she was our daughter. She is precious to us. Nothing good has happened to her ever since she dated you. How dare you mistreat her in such a way?

“You may appear a gentleman on the surface, but your behavior in the bedroom is nothing short of savage. You should consider her feelings in the bedroom! How could you hurt her to satisfy your needs?

"Stay there. I'm getting that housekeeper of yours to check the injuries on Lyse's body, and I'll double that on yours."

Axel was visibly furious this time. His concern for Alyssa manifested in an outpouring of emotion, panic, and profanity.

"Axel..." Alyssa struggled to open her eyes.

“I'm here!" Axel shoved Jasper aside, crouching by the bed to feel her forehead. His own brow was dotted with sweat from all the worrying. He remarked, "Your forehead is too hot to the touch. I could fry an egg on it!"

“You're being annoying,” she managed to say weakly, mustering the energy to flick him on the head. “I'm a patient in need of rest. Are you... deliberately trying... to disturb me?"

jogged into the bedroom with an aspirin and a glass of water. Then,

a high fever of over 100°F. "Good heavens! You can kill

him a hard shove, causing him to stumble. "Mr. Beckett, you're an idiot! At this temperature, we

He and Rosie hurriedly changed her clothes while Axel turned

young, defenseless child. Rosie helped her put on a jacket, and Jasper helped her

carry her in his arms, Axel pushed him away, unwilling to allow

facing Alyssa. “Lyse, I'll carry you on my back.” "Axel, I can manage," Jasper offered without hidden

to spare Axel any

of us took our turn to comfort her and make her sleep.”

and dote on her, but you pale in comparison to what we've done for her. Now, I have reservations about entrusting

seemed exaggerated, they came from a place of genuine concern from an older

Looking pale, Jasper clenched his fist

not blame him. He's always been clumsy and struggles to assert himself in front of you and others. He just panics." She tugged at Axel's shirt, pleading, "Don't

You can't afford to be overly kind to men, or they'll take advantage!" Despite his simmering anger, Axel refrained from harsher words toward

She pressed her dry lips, which had started cracking from the fever. "Jasper has been struggling in his life. He's only clueless because he tasted happiness for the first time with me. Stop blaming him, okay?" Consumed by guilt, Jasper battled his emotions, feeling overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy. Alyssa's understanding only intensified

"Do you still

his anxious breaths, "It's just a fever, darling. No need to fret. Just a gentle reminder to