Can't Win Me Back

Jasper ended up meeting Landon in a newly opened club in Solana City. Landon’s tables were

filled with all kinds of wine. He held one right now, belting out his lungs to “Live or Let Die.”

Jasper reclined on the luxurious sofa with a shot of whisky in hand. He looked like some sullen

Adonis, exuding a strong, potent air even in the dim surroundings of the room. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“So live and let die!” Landon yelled into the microphone.

It was nearly enough for Jasper to crush his shot glass into pieces.

If he had known Landon for two years less, he wouldn’t be sitting here keeping the loser company

or enduring this torture.

Jasper took a painful swallow of his whiskey.

“My man! Burp!” Landon called, heaving a loud burp before falling onto the couch beside Jasper.

He reached out to hook an arm around his friend’s shoulders, asking, “How was my singing?

Terrific, no?”

Jasper frowned and moved away, making Landon fall flat on his face on the sofa. “You’re terrific if

you were a donkey in heat.”

“F***ing hell, did you get kicked in the nuts earlier? What’s with the shitty attitude, huh?”

Recalling how beautiful Alyssa was and how cold her words were when she tapped that blade on

his cheek, sadness, and pain welled up in his chest.

“Poor Lyse. No wonder she divorced you. That foul temper of yours is enough to make her hit

menopause early!

“Lyse?” Jasper questioned, “I thought you had your heart broken? You two aren’t that close

anymore, no?”

Landon stared at him incredulously, thinking, “How mean!”

“I admit she’s the most beautiful and intriguing woman I’ve ever met. I don’t think I would be able

to lock her down, but…”

Landon downed several gulps of wine before continuing. “So how could she have given up her

luxurious life to become a nobody–to become your wife? You’re a handsome man, sure

+15 BONOS

“But that only works for so long. She was loyal to you for so many years, yet when the time came,

you just chucked her aside like some

“That’s enough, Landon,” Jasper said curtly.

“No!” Landon cried, feeling unbearably upset. “I can’t wrap my head around it. I just can’t! You two

must have known each other for who knows how many past lives before for her to sacrifice

everything for you! No sane human would do that!”

Honestly, not even Jasper knew why. That was why he had wanted to get the answer from her at

Seaview Manor. His confusion and turmoil had nearly become a sickness in his heart.

He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since the night of his grandfather’s birthday.

Just as Jasper was about to lose himself in his thoughts, Landon suddenly guffawed. “I know I

have a long history of being a womanizer, Jasper, but I really am serious about Alyssa

“Sometimes I wonder why I couldn’t have known her earlier?”

Jasper said nothing.

“If I had, I would have warned her about you. I would have told her not to get anywhere near

Jasper Beckett, or your life would be miserable!”

Now, Jasper had the urge to strangle his friend.

The moment Tatiana saw her sister, the doom and gloom in her chest dissipated. She went up to

Alyssa, insisting on treating her to dinner.

Unable to talk her out of it, Alyssa picked a home–style restaurant serving foreign cuisine. It was

nothing extravagant, so Tatiana wouldn’t have to spend too much.

Though the food wasn’t Michelin–grade, the sisters still shared a happy hour and a half, talking.

about everything under the sun.

Meanwhile, Sean gladly topped their glasses with drinks whenever he could, never bothering to get a bite for himself. He was just really happy to see Tatiana and Alyssa enjoying themselves.

After they had emptied two whole bottles of wine, the sisters went for karaoke.

Sean had planned to join them, but then his brother called at the last moment, asking him to

+15 BONOS

“Go on, Sean. Don’t worry about us,” Alyssa urged.

“Yeah, Sean. Go on home,” Tatiana insisted. She shot him a kind smile. “You’ve helped us a lot

tonight. It’s time you took a break. We’ll head home right after karaoke. Promise.”