Chapter 8

I awkwardly shifted my gaze away, my lips parted as if to speak, but the words caught in my throat. If I admit it, Jasper will surely mock me... After a brief pause, I murmured, "I just came to... thank you for saving me yesterday." Jasper's face was cold and unyielding. "No need to thank me. I'd save anyone—hell, even a stray cat or dog on the street." My eyelashes fluttered, and my face went pale. My fingers, hanging by my sides, instinctively clenched. Jasper turned his head slightly, gazing out the window with an air of indifference, as though I were invisible. Aurora’s eyes flicked back and forth, subtly scanning the two of us before she smirked and handed the bowl of hot soup to Jasper. "Jasper, drink some soup." Jasper took the soup without much interest, only out of politeness. Aurora settled beside his bed, raising her hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing the distinct handprint on her pale cheek. Jasper spared her only a brief, indifferent glance, saying nothing, before lowering his head to sip the soup. I felt increasingly uncomfortable, left to stand there awkwardly. I bit my lip and turned to leave. But Jasper's gaze shifted toward me, and he suddenly spoke, his voice filled with concern for Aurora. "What happened to your face? Who hurt you?" I froze for a moment, while Aurora’s heart soared with joy. She had been waiting for Jasper to ask her this question. Once he did, the next step of her plan could unfold. With a hint of hurt on her face, her eyes subtly shot a look at me, though her words were soft. "It's nothing... just an accident." Jasper, sharp as ever, noticed the look and paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward me, watching my stiff back. His voice was cold as he asked, "Did you do this?" He was questioning me. A sharp pang hit my chest, and I turned slightly, keeping a calm expression as I met Jasper's cold eyes. I admitted plainly, "Yes, I did." "Apologize," Jasper said, without asking for an explanation, the words coming out with icy finality. I tightened my fists, curling my lips into a smile that was anything but warm. "Jasper Hawthorne, what if I don’t apologize?" My own husband, standing before me, siding with his mistress? How utterly ironic! Jasper’s gaze turned even colder. "Then let her slap you back." My heart ached sharply, and I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to keep my face composed. "Jasper, don’t you think the ones who should be slapped are you and her? I haven’t even divorced you yet, and you’re already openly cheating. Aren’t you two worried about what people will say? I still care about that!" The word "divorce" struck both Jasper and Aurora to the core. "Arabella, you want a divorce?" Jasper’s eyes locked onto mine, each word harsh and deliberate. I pressed my lips together, holding my ground for a moment before biting out, "Yes!" Before I could even finish, Aurora rushed to speak, eager to cover up the tension. "Jasper, Arabella is just saying that out of anger. She doesn’t really want a divorce. She only hit me because I told her not to divorce you!" Jasper’s face darkened slightly as he turned his gaze back to me, his eyes narrowing. "Why did you hit her?" I slowly scanned both Jasper and Aurora's faces. Maybe the anger and disappointment had built up too much, and now I was more composed and calm than ever. If he believes me, I’ll explain. If he doesn’t, then no matter how well I speak, no matter how I argue, he’ll never believe me. "Jasper, what reason do you think I could have for hitting her?" I asked, my lips curling into a faint smile, my expression calm. But Jasper hated that calmness, especially when it came to matters involving him. This calmness only served to remind Jasper that the woman before him had no attachment, no feelings, and didn’t care—this was how she could remain so composed. Jasper’s face tightened, his eyes cold and sharp, his gaze drilling into me like a knife. Every glance felt like a tangible wound, leaving me bruised and broken inside. "I don’t care what your reasons are," he spat, his voice cutting through the silence, "but now, you either apologize to her, or get the hell out!" I didn’t hesitate for a second. I turned and walked away. With a loud crash, I slammed the door of the hospital room, unable to hold back the force. Standing by the door, I finally let the painful sadness show on my face, closing my eyes tightly to suppress the tears. Inside the room, Jasper glared at the door I had just slammed. In a fit of rage, he threw the soup bowl he was holding to the floor. Crash— The small ceramic bowl shattered instantly, and the soup splashed everywhere. Aurora froze, surprised by Jasper’s intense emotional reaction. She had known him for over a decade, but this was the first time she had ever seen him like this. Then, her thoughts shifted to the woman who had caused Jasper to react this way, and her heart burned with jealousy and resentment. "Jasper…" she suppressed the jealousy boiling inside her, her face softening with concern. "Please don’t be angry." Jasper’s anger surged, his dark eyes glaring at Aurora with barely restrained fury. His voice was blunt and cold as he spat out, "You can leave too." Aurora’s expression faltered for a moment, and she softened her tone. "Jasper..." Jasper’s gaze turned icy, his fury seeping into his every word as he raised his hand and pointed to the door. His voice was cold and indifferent. "Leave." Aurora’s façade of gentle concern cracked for an instant, a flash of cruel malice flickering in her eyes before she quickly restored her calm, sweet demeanor. “Jasper, she doesn’t deserve this from you.” Aurora spoke softly, her voice full of sympathy. “Do you know why she hit me before?” Jasper’s lips tightened, but he didn’t respond. Aurora didn’t press him further. Instead, she pulled out her phone and played a recording. “Arabella, please, don’t divorce Jasper. You’ve only been married for two years. Maybe you just haven’t figured out how to make it work yet…” The voice on the recording was one Jasper knew all too well—it was Arabella’s. “I don’t want a divorce. What’s it to you?” “I love Jasper so much. I don’t want to see him get hurt because of you…” Aurora’s voice was soft, full of longing. “Oh, really? Then you can have him.” Arabella’s voice cut through with disgust. “He’s out messing around every day, his body and soul so filthy it makes me sick. If he weren’t the CEO of Titan Global Holdings, do you think I’d ever let him touch me? I wouldn’t want him, even if he was given to me!” “Arabella, how can you say that about Jasper? If he’s with someone else, it must be because you’re not doing something right. Maybe you should—” Slap! A sharp slap interrupted Aurora’s words on the recording. “If there’s something wrong between us, then what’s it to you? I told you, if you want Jasper, I’ll give him to you. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about divorcing him for a long time now.” As the recording finished, the temperature in the room seemed to drop to freezing point.