Chapter 41

Arabella's POV I spent three days in the hospital. During that time, Jasper took care of me with meticulous attention—teasing me relentlessly and playing the rogue more than once—but above all, we simply enjoyed each other’s company. He’d read his newspaper while I listened to music, and we exchanged the occasional tender word. As I packed my belongings, Alexander called. "Father?" I answered. "Is something wrong?" "Have you left the hospital?" came his flat reply. "Yes, I just left today. What is it?" I replied, no longer expecting any genuine concern from him. "Meet me at the café later. I’ll be waiting," he instructed before hanging up. Not a single caring word beyond that. A pang welled up in my chest, and I nearly burst into tears. "What's wrong? Why are your eyes red?" Jasper asked as he returned with my discharge papers. Seeing me lost in thought while clutching the phone, he gently placed a hand on my sho