Mr. Fake-Mute's Love Game Ended When I Stopped Playing the Fool novel Chapter 56

I moved out of the dorm that same afternoon, as fast as I could.

I didn’t reach out to Jasper again–until about a week later.

We ran into each other at the graduation party.

Vivian glued to his side, people whispering in the corners of the room.

ignored it, ate my food in silence, only offering brief replies to classmates.

On my way home, my phone rang.

It was Jasper–his first call in a month, the first time he’d reached out.

I knew I should decline it.

But my hand hit “answer” before my brain could stop it.

‘Where are you?”

Same tone. Same voice.

ust one simple question, and every wall I’d built came crashing down.

My throat burned. I forced my voice to sound normal.

told him where I was. Hated myself for it.

Wait for me.”

Then he hung up.

I waited four hours.

Until the crowded streets emptied, until the street vendors packed up.

hat’s when I finally got it. Hope is just a sandcastle–fragile, illusions easily swept away by reality’s tide.

When Jasper finally showed up, I’d been standing there for almost six hours.

le nodded toward the car.

grabbed the bus stop pole for support, standing slowly, stiff–legged.

Got held up,” he said, glancing at my pale lips, frowning slightly.

You couldn’t call me? Just gonna stand there all night if I didn’t show?”

pulled out my dead phone.

le didn’t say anything after that.

After a long pause, I finally spoke.

Jasper, next time you’re busy, just tell me.”

More silence. Neither of us said another word.

Chapter 6

That night, I didn’t mention Vivian’s Instagram story.

nside that huge private room sat a five–tiered birthday cake, surrounded by classmates giving congratulations.

Everyone was there–except me.

hat’s when it all clicked.

To wonder they acted weird after the party, told me to leave first.

lo wonder Vivian smirked at me, full of provocation, then whispered something to Jasper.

To wonder he called me later and left me standing there for hours.

verything felt coincidental, yet deliberate warning.

lassic Jasper. Whoever he was with, he treated like a queen.

ver since Jasper showed up with that paternity test, he’d been everywhere.

Downstairs at my building. Outside Peyton’s kindergarten. Just… there.

Not too close, not leaving–just following.

t wasn’t like him. He wasn’t the stalking type.

hat afternoon, I finished work as usual, ready to leave.

My phone rang. Peyton’s teacher.

Mrs. Sterling, Peyton was picked up this afternoon by her grandmother.”

Were you aware of this?”

My head snapped up. Blood rushed to my

face.

A group of people came to the school. The principal met with them personally. They specifically asked for Peyton.”

They even showed a paternity test.”

clenched my fists, forcing the anger down.

lung up, and rushed out.

it the Hawthorne estate, Jasper sat on the couch. A little girl sat quietly beside him.

le rubbed his temples, headache written all over his face.

fe’d been planning to talk to Quinn about custody, and now his mother had stirred up all this drama.

Victoria Hawthorne sat across from them, beaming at her granddaughter.

This child was a Hawthorne. No way in hell was she staying with some nobody.

Peyton sat quietly, just stared at her shoes.

Until a shadow fell over her.

Chapter 6

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