Idiot. Stupid, stupid idiot. Making me worry like this—for who knows what, who knows where, and with who knows who.
The tea didn’t help at all. Well… maybe it did, for a moment. But it didn’t last.
Now I’m curled up in the armchair by the fireplace, my cheek resting against my fist, my eyes struggling to stay open. I just want to hear the sound of keys turning in that damned lock—anything to lift this weight pressing on my chest.
Then, suddenly—as if some higher power had finally heard me—the faint jingle of keys. The door creaks open.
Jasper.
He’s back. And he’s alive.
Relief washes over me, tangled with irritation. “Where have you been?” I snap. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting? Look at these circles under my eyes!” I gesture at my face, then try to compose myself.
Jasper just stares at me, taken aback.
“What’s with all the noise, Beth? I stayed late at work, had dinner with Emma at the Jardin Bleu, then went for a long walk,” he replies, a little sharply. Then, softer, “Sorry… I’m just really tired tonight.”
I fall silent, then echo his words under my breath. “A long walk… at midnight?” Something about it doesn’t sit right.
“It was around ten-thirty—maybe eleven—when I started walking. I got lost in my thoughts… lost track of time.” There’s something off. He looks genuinely troubled. I catch a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but he quickly looks away, as if he doesn’t want me to see.
There’s a pause. My tone softens. I step closer. “Did something happen?”
I cross my arms, waiting.
He keeps his gaze averted for a moment longer, then lowers it.
“I broke up with Emma.” His voice falters, just for a second. Then, finally, he looks at me.
“Oh, Jasper… I… I’m so sorry. I had no idea. If you feel like talking about it…” I trail off.
Then I notice it—his hand, gloved in black leather, shifting slightly, as if trying to hide behind his back.
I frown. “Why are you wearing just one glove?”
“What? Oh—this? It’s nothing.” He touches the gloved hand with the other, trying to brush it off. But I don’t let it go.
“Let me see.”
I reach for him, but he blocks me with his arm. “I said it’s nothing, really. I’m fine. A dog bit me earlier while I was out walking. It’s nothing serious—you don’t need to worry.” His tone turns reassuring, protective—like a big brother trying to calm me down.
I look at him, still concerned. Because he’s my brother. Because I care.
Then his expression softens. “Now, if Miss Know-It-All will allow me,”—my nickname—“I’m going to take care of this.”
I sigh. “Fine. But next time you’re going to be late, tell me. Even just a call. So I don’t sit here worrying.”
He steps closer and presses a light kiss to the top of my head. “Alright. Now let’s get some sleep. I have to be up early tomorrow.”
He finishes taking off his jacket and shoes, while I head to my bedroom, ready to collapse straight into the arms of Morpheus.
ns216.73.217.115da2
and then Add to home screen.