The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 433

"Vivian, Amber isn't going anywhere," Felix snapped. "She is my daughter, and she stays here."

"So she is your illegitimate brat with Michelle."

"She isn't biologically mine, but I gave my word that I would take care of her, and I intend to keep it."

Vivian's face twisted into a mocking smile. "You, keeping a promise? Now that's a first."

"Just drop it," Felix said, waving a hand dismissively. "This ends now."

"This is far from over, Felix."

Vivian walked out, leaving a weary Felix behind. In the hallway, Mark was waiting, his eyes full of concern.

"Mom?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Go get some sleep."

"I'll call Jasper," Mark offered.

"No, leave him be. He's dealt with enough tonight."

Vivian cast a cold, sidelong glance at Amber.

She knew that if it came down to a choice between them, Felix would be the one to show her the door. But there was no way in hell she would let that girl touch a single cent of her sons' inheritance.

*****

Late into the night, Jasper found sleep impossible. He waited until Cody finally delivered the results of the rush DNA test they had run overnight.

As he scanned the report, a cold smirk played on his lips. It was confirmed: Amber wasn't his biological sister.

She must have known all along, which explained her twisted obsession with him.

But did his mother know? And if Amber wasn't his sister, then where was his real one?

"Mr. Moore, you're still injured," Cody said gently. "You should try to get some rest."

"You too," Jasper replied.

Jasper slowly closed his eyes, but the images of his own suicide flashed through his mind again.

The sensation was terrifyingly vivid—far too real to be a mere dream. The voices in his head had already been proven right about Amber; did that mean his death was a certainty, too?

He rubbed his temples and let out a weary yawn.

Whatever happened, he was determined to protect the people he cared about.

With that thought, he finally drifted off to sleep.

By the following morning, Jasper's visits to both the psychiatrist and the psychologist had yielded no answers.

"Mr. Moore, is it possible you're just exhausted?" Cody asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Maybe," Jasper replied vaguely.

"Are we heading to the Shaw residence now?"

Did she know yet? He couldn't help but wonder what she would think of him. Would she see him as a villain, no better than his father?

The moment the front door clicked shut, Jasper pinned her against it, kissing her with a sudden, desperate hunger. The intensity of it took her breath away. Her eyes grew misty and, after a startled moment, she wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss him back just as passionately.

When they finally broke apart, Jasper cupped the back of her head, their foreheads resting against each other.

"Nicole, I love you," he murmured, his voice husky and strained through their heavy breathing. "I'm so sorry. I love you so much."

"Why are you apologizing?" Nicole asked, her confusion deepening.

"Nicole, promise me," he pleaded, "no matter what happens, don't leave me. Okay?"

Nicole's heart began to race. "What's going to happen?"

He gazed at her with burning intensity, his hand tracing the line of her cheek. "Didn't you say you were going to spoil me today?"

Jasper's sudden change of subject only deepened Nicole's unease. "You look terrible. Tell me what's wrong."

He tilted her chin up, silencing her questions with a kiss. It was a long time before he finally let her go.

Seeing his refusal to talk, Nicole huffed with feigned irritation. "I see. You must be missing those ice baths. Fine, I'll indulge you."

She grabbed him by the collar, led him briskly up to the second floor, and pushed him down onto the bed. "Are you going to tell me? Talk to me!"

As she started undoing the buttons of his white shirt, it wasn't clear if she was trying to tickle him or if she was just after a glimpse of his abs.

"Nicole, stop it," Jasper said, watching her with pure adoration.

"Just say what's on your mind. Why are you being so hesitant?" The more he held back, the more her heart raced. "Let me hear your heartbeat. Are you hiding a guilty conscience?"