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?"

Rosie jogged into the bedroom with an aspirin

gasped when she found that Alyssa was running a high fever of over 100°F. "Good

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

over his ridiculous possessiveness. He and Rosie hurriedly changed her clothes while Axel turned his back to them out of respect. Axel's shoulders trembled violently

that moment, Alyssa resembled a young, defenseless child. Rosie helped her put on a

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

facing Alyssa. “Lyse, I'll carry you on my back.” "Axel, I can manage," Jasper

wished to spare

pursed his parched lips in bitterness. "When young Lyse was sick, her brothers took turns carrying her to the hospital. If she fell ill at night, each of us took our turn to comfort her and make her sleep.” Axel effortlessly hoisted Alyssa onto his back, his eyes smoldering with anger. "She even rode on my shoulders when she was younger

and dote on her, but you pale in comparison to what we've done

exaggerated, they came from a place

Jasper clenched his fist when Axel carried Alyssa out

him. He's always been clumsy and struggles to assert himself in front of you and others. He just panics." She tugged

or they'll take advantage!" Despite his simmering

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 his feelings of inferiority, leading him to believe he wasn't worthy

"Do you still feel

his chest, her words punctuated by the rhythm of his anxious breaths, "It's just a fever, darling. No need to fret. Just a gentle reminder to be more