Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47 A Love Put on Trial

But Jasper refused to let go. His eyes were red as he begged, “Claudia, it was nothing but an act. The hug only happened because that’s what Preston would have done. I never loved her. Lydia is sick. She thinks I’m Preston. That’s all. We never crossed any other line. Your parents can

it.”

prove

“So you

all knew.”

Her parents, her brothers, even her boyfriend–together they had spun one giant lie, all for Lydia.

Jasper’s voice cracked with pain. “I couldn’t tell you.”

He looked her in the eyes, which filled with hurt. “If I had told you about Lydia’s illness back then, you would have broken up with me immediately.”

Jasper knew her too well.

Claudia hated anything tied to Lydia. She had a deep, instinctive dislike for anything connected to Lydia.

She would never stand by and watch Jasper stay close to her.

Claudia didn’t deny it. But the truth was still ugly.

“If she never gets better, does that mean every time she calls, you’ll run to her and leave me behind?”

“Her condition is stabilizing,” he said quickly. “She’ll be fine soon.”

“You can’t answer me–because you know you would.”

Jasper argued, “Claudia, Preston died saving me. He loved Lydia more than anyone. She’s your

sister too.”

“She is not!” Claudia shouted.

Jasper clutched her hand. “Please, Claudia. Don’t give up on me.”

Claudia glared coldly at him.

Even if he didn’t mean to, he still stabbed her heart again and again for Lydia’s sake.

This time it was just a hug. Next time? Would it be a kiss? A night together?

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Chapter 41 A LUVC ru UIT

Finished

A canceled movie date, an empty seat at dinner, a forgotten anniversary. Would she always have to step aside for Lydia?

His relationship with Claudia provided him the opportunity to hurt her.

From that day on, their relationship dropped to freezing point.

Jasper never again concealed his visits to Lydia after Claudia discovered the truth. He always

asked Claudia first.

But Claudia often wondered–if she said no, would he actually stay?

But she already knew. The way he kept glancing at his phone, nervous and restless, while waiting for her answer–there was her answer.

Many believed the turning point was the day of the proposal. It wasn’t.

That day, she had only given Jasper one last chance.

And he made his choice.

“If being with me meant people would criticize you, and someone used favors to force your decision, would you give me up?”

Claudia’s voice was soft as she looked at the man busy in the kitchen.

She was curled on the couch, wrapped in a white blanket. Her loose hair covered her face so that only her pale cheeks showed. She looked like a small snowball, soft and fragile.

Sterling set down the chicken soup, slipped off the oven mitts, and walked over. Without a word, he scooped the snowball up with one arm like a child and set her at the dining table.

While calmly setting out the bowls and silverware, he answered, “If he put you on a scale, it means your worth to him could be weighed. And when he didn’t choose you, no matter what excuse he gave, it proved you weren’t as heavy as the other side.

“He wanted to be the good guy–honorable, grateful, proper. That meant he had to sacrifice

you.

“But me, Ms. Lancaster–don’t you remember our second meeting? Being called ungrateful or heartless is nothing compared to the names already tied to me.”

Yes. A man who didn’t even fear blood on his hands–how high could his morals really be?

Claudia should have been afraid. Instead, she felt a strange happiness at the role he claimed for

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Chapter 47 A Love Put on tar

himself.

Fimshed

The man suddenly leaned in close, so close that their noses nearly touched. His voice dropped low. “But if something is truly important to me, I never put it on a scale. I never compare it to anything else. Ms. Lancaster, if you want to step off that scale, you just need to try a little

harder.”

Send Gifts

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