(Dorian’s POV)


    <b>+25 </b>Points


    His hands are scraped from hitting the pavement. There’s a bruise on his jaw that’s turning purple. But his face, rxed in unconsciousness, shows hints of the charm that must have won Scarlett over in college.


    I try to hate him. Try to feel nothing but satisfaction that my rival is lying here helpless while I go home tofort his ex–wife.


    But I can’t.


    Because this man, whatever his ws, whatever mistakes he made in their marriage, proved something tonight that I can’t argue with.


    He loves her. Really, truly loves her.


    Maybe not the way she deserved when they were married. Maybe not in a way that was healthy or sustainable. But when it mattered most, when her life was on the line, he didn’t hesitate.


    He risked his life to save her.


    The monitors beep steadily, marking time in the quiet room. ir shifts in her sleep but doesn’t wake.


    “You know,” I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper, “I used to think you weren’t worthy of Scarlett’s love. Used to imagine what it would be like if Scarlett had never been married to


    you


    before, never had her heart broken.”


    The words feel strangeing out of my mouth. Confessional. Like I’m in church instead of a hospital room.


    “I thought I could make her forget youpletely. Give her something so much better than what you two had that you’d be just a distant memory.”


    Jasper’s breathing remains steady, unchanged. But somehow I feel like he’s listening.


    “But tonight, watching her fall apart when she saw you get hurt… I realized something.” I lean forward, my elbows on my knees. “She never stopped loving you. Maybe she moved on, maybe she chose me, but a part of her heart will always belong to you.”


    The admission tastes bitter, but it’s the truth. ·


    < Chapter 141


    +25 Points


    “Even though I’m unwilling, I have to admit it.” The wordse slowly, each one carefully considered. “Your love for her is true, and… stronger than mine.”


    It hurts to say it. Hurts to acknowledge that what they had, broken and damaged as it was, ran deeper than what I have with her.


    “You did your part in protecting her tonight,” I continue. “Now leave the rest <i>to </i>me. I promise


    you,


    I won’t let anything happen to her and Lily.”


    The vow hangs in the air between us. A promise from one man to another, bound by their shared love for the same woman.


    I stand up, suddenly feeling the weight of everything that’s happened tonight. The attack, the engagement, the realization that love isn’t always enough but sometimes it’s everything.


    “She’s going to marry me,” I say, adjusting my jacket. “She’s going to be happy. And safe. I’ll make sure of that.”


    At the door, I pause and look back at the unconscious man who saved my fiancée’s life. “When you wake up, ke, try to remember that she chose me. Not because she stopped loving you, but because I could give her something you couldn’t.”


    Peace. Stability. A love withoutplications orpeting loyalties.


    I leave the hospital and drive through the empty streets toward Cross Mansion.


    Tomorrow I’ll increase security around Scarlett and Lily. Tomorrow I’ll work with Jacob to identify whoever ordered tonight’s attack.


    Tomorrow I’ll continue building the life with Scarlett that Jasper ke threw away.


    But tonight, driving through the dark city, I can’t shake the image of him throwing himself in front of that car.


    Maybe I can give Scarlett everything she needs for a happy life.


    But we both know. Tonight, Jasper ke has left a shadow in her heart.


    Scarlett’s POV)


    I wake up to the sound of rain pattering against my bedroom window. Gray light filters through the curtains, matching the heaviness in my chest that’s been there sincest night.


    My phone buzzes on the nightstand. Dorian’s name shes on the screen.


    “Good morning,” I answer, my voice still hoarse from sleep and tears.


    2/4 <fne3ff> Readplete version only at ?ovelFind</fne3ff>


    < Chapter 141


    “How are you feeling?” His voice is gentle, concerned. “Did you get any rest?”


    +25 Points


    “Some.” The liees easily. I spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, reying the diary entries over and over in my mind. Remembering a time when love felt simple and pure.


    “I have some bad news. I have to be at the office for the next few days. There’s an emergency with the Singapore project, and I need to handle it personally.”


    Part of me feels relieved. Another part feels guilty for feeling that way.


    But…I need space to process everything that happened, and I’m not sure I can pretend to be the happy fiancée right now.


    “That’s okay,” I tell him. “I understand.”


    “Are you sure? After what happenedst night, I don’t like leaving <i>you </i>alone.”


    “I’ll be fine. I’ll probably just stay home anyway.”


    “Scarlett…” He pauses. “Are you really okay?”


    The question hangs between us. Am I okay? Someone tried to kill mest night. Jasper is in


    aa because he saved my life. I discovered a box full of memories that remind me why I fell in love with him in the first ce.


    No, I’m definitely not okay.


    just need some time to process everything,” I say instead. “A few days to myself might be good.”


    <i>“</i>Alright. But promise me you’ll call if you need anything. Anything at all.”


    “I promise.”


    After we hang up, I lie in bed for another hour, listening to the rain and trying to find the energy to start my day. Lily is still asleep, exhausted from the emotional upheaval ofst night.


    Finally, I force myself to get up and make coffee. The familiar routine helps ground me, but even the smell of brewing coffee reminds me of the bakery..


    Of the ident that almost took my life.


    I check my phone and see dozens of missed calls and messages. Word aboutst night has spread somehow. Customers asking if I’m okay. Other business owners in the neighborhood offering support. A few reporters trying to get a statement about the “hit–and–run incident.


    < Chapter 141


    Hit–and–run incident. Like it was some tragic ident instead of attempted murder.


    I scroll through the messages until I find one from my assistant manager.


    425 nts


    “Hi Scarlett. I heard about what happened. Are you okay? Should I open the bakery today<i>? </i>Let me know what you need.”


    I stare at the message for a long time. The bakery. My dream, my independence, my proof that I could build something beautiful from nothing.


    But the thought of going in today, of pretending to smile and chat with customers while someone is still out there wanting me dead, feels impossible.


    I type back: “Thanks for checking on me. Can you post a sign saying we’re closed for a few days? Family emergency.”


    Then I open my social media ounts and start typing.


    “Dear friends and customers, due to recent events, Sunrise Bakes will be closed for the next few days. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”


    Violet Moon


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