Chapter 10
I knew Julian was capable of anything.
But once I left the Hale house and got my money, I planned to leave Full City for good.
I couldn’t fight him. But I could run.
That afternoon, the Hales and Vosses gathered in the tea room–Julian and Chloe included,
probably to finalize the engagement.
I stayed away, sitting in the courtyard, waiting for nightfall.
Jasper came over to chat.
“You’ve got a good background. You’re sharp. Why are you so desperate for money?”
We barely knew each other. I’d gotten the job mostly because I looked the part.
I said simply, “I dated someone. Made a bad choice. Lost everything.”
“Real bastard. Did he steal from you?”
I shook my head and didn’t explain further.
Jasper didn’t push it. He sighed. “You talk about it so lightly. You’re good at letting go.”
I looked up at the sky.
“I wasn’t always. At first, I couldn’t stand that I’d been so stupid. I hated that I fell for a cold, selfish
guy. I drank until I passed out.”
“But I get it now.”
Jasper nodded slowly.
“Good. I think my mom’s had enough. I’ll take you home after dinner.”
I said okay.
When we went back inside, most people were gone
Mrs. Hale looked exhausted.
Jasper guessed right away. “Didn’t work out?”
He was happy about it. He’d never liked Chloe.
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Mrs. Hale pressed her fingers to her temples.
Julian had left halfway through, claiming work emergencies.
The two families had split up angry.
Jasper threw himself on the couch, confused. “My brother’s lost it. Walking out on something this big.”
He glanced at me as he said it, then looked away quickly.
At dinner, Mrs. Hale suddenly asked about my family.
I didn’t expect it. I hesitated for a second, then told her simply.
A father who cheated. A mother who remarried. I left home and supported myself.
Put myself through high school and college with scholarships and aid.
Compared to Jasper’s family, I was nothing.
I expected her to judge me.
But she just looked at me, frowned slightly, and said nothing more.
After dinner, I was leaving when Mrs. Hale stopped me.
She still wore her soft shawl, her voice calm. “There’s no denying you’re a capable girl. My son likes you for a reason. But marriage isn’t just about two people.”
I stayed quiet.
Mrs. Hale left it at that. She handed me a business card and told me to call if I ever needed help.
Almost no one got Mrs. Hale’s personal number.
I held the card, stunned.
I thought she must have figured out something at that engagement meeting.
Jasper drove me home in silence.
Right before I got out of the car, he transferred five times my original pay to my account.
“You did great. Raise.”
“Everyone meets garbage people sometimes. Don’t blame yourself for trusting the wrong one.
Just keep moving forward.”
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I was quiet for two seconds, then asked, “You knew didn’t you?”
I asked suddenly, but Jasper didn’t look surprised.
“Yeah.”
“I’m not stupid. It was obvious.”
“Plus, my brother looked like he wanted to kill me.”
He paused. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t lose his mind on you.”
I nodded.
I got out. The sky, gray all day, finally started raining
I stood in the light rain, watching Jasper’s car disappear, then turned, tired, to walk inside.
One step later, I noticed someone standing by my apartment door.
The air was damp. He stood under the overhang, half his face in shadow.
His fingers twisted a ring.
