Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 49

hapter 49 Broken Promises

Claudia gave a small laugh, as if she saw right through his act. “The old Jasper never asked me if I misunderstood something. He just stood by me without a reason.”

Her eyes dropped to the cake in his hands, then she asked suddenly, “Did you come today because you were worried about me?”

Hearing a softer tone, Jasper quickly nodded. “Today, I was worried you’d be upset. And today is your birthday.”

She didn’t take the cake he offered. Instead, her eyes moved to the watch on his wrist.

“You know my family always visits the cemetery at the same time. Even if you had stopped by the cemetery before coming here from your place, you still wouldn’t have arrived this late. Where else did you go?”

Jasper opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.

Claudia kept guessing, calm and sharp. “The last two years you were with Lydia. There’s no reason she wouldn’t look for you this year. We just argued at the cemetery. So you went to my family house, didn’t you?”

He wanted to cover it up, but Claudia was determined to tear it open..

“Jasper,” she said, staring up at him even though her gaze felt higher than his, “every promise you made me–you couldn’t keep. Your heart is moving closer to Lydia, even as you apologize

to me.

Her voice grew firm. “I will never get along with Lydia. With her around, you’ll have to choose. But I’ll tell you now–whether she’s here or not, no matter what you do, we can’t go back to the way things were.”

Their break had been sealed the moment he turned his back on her.

“Claudia … ” His voice cracked. He grabbed her wrist, eyes red. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. At least let me stay and eat this year’s cake with you.”

He still hoped things could heal slowly. He couldn’t face the ending she spoke of.

“No.” She pulled her hand away hard, accidentally knocking the cake to the floor.

The sweet frosting spilled everywhere, creating a mess that mirrored the brokenness of their

love.

“I don’t need it anymore.”

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Chapter 49 Broken Promises

Finished

Just then, a man’s lazy voice came from inside the apartment. “Claudia, come blow out the

candles.”

Jasper froze. He knew that voice. It was the same man who had answered Claudia’s phone that night.

Since he never showed up again, Jasper had convinced himself Claudia used him to make him jealous.

But if she had already made up her mind to provoke him, if this man could take her calls, and now he showed up in her apartment on her birthday…

Jasper’s fists clenched.

That man called out to her simply, yet all Jasper heard was a warning–a man claiming his place.

Claudia was about to shut the door when Jasper shoved his hand into the frame.

The door caught his palm hard, and Claudia jumped in shock.

But Jasper didn’t even wince. His eyes were bloodshot, burning with anger. “Who’s inside? Why is he here?”

“It’s none of your business.” Claudia frowned, pushing against the door.

Jasper stormed forward, shoving it open like a man catching his lover cheating.

They had grown up together. He was sure Claudia had never known that man before.

For someone to get this close, this fast—that man must have had a hidden agenda.

The apartment wasn’t big. One look was enough to see everything.

On the dining table sat chicken soup, plates of food, and a birthday cake glowing with candles.

The flickering flames stabbed into Jasper’s chest.

Now he knew why she said she didn’t need his cake. He was too late.

His

eyes moved to the man who had set it all up. The man’s face was sharp and cold, his blue eyes deep. From the side, his brow was strong, his nose high, and his jawline cut like stone.