The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 439

"Wait for me downstairs," Nicole replied. "I'll give you a ride."

"It's fine. I'll just wait for you at home."

Amelia had already heard the news regarding the Shaws and the Moores. She figured Jasper and Nicole probably had a lot to discuss.

Jasper offered a warm smile. "Don't drive. I'll have Cody take you home."

Realizing she'd had a few drinks, Amelia nodded and gave them a wave. "I'm off then. Bye!"

She turned and walked away with effortless poise, offering no comment on what had just happened with Jaron. Her indifference stung.

Jaron would have preferred it if she had hit him or screamed at him. This calm, detached attitude felt like the definitive end of whatever they had.

"Are you okay, Jaron?" Nicole asked.

Jaron looked up at her, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "You hit pretty hard."

"Isn't that what you taught me?" Nicole countered. "You said my skills were lacking, so if I get an opening, I have to take the target down immediately—otherwise, they won't give me a second chance to strike."

"I meant for you to use that on other people, not me," Jaron muttered.

"I did it for your own good. Otherwise, you'd be heading to jail."

Jaron pressed a hand to the bandage on his forehead and let out a helpless laugh. "So, I should be thanking you?"

"We're close enough that you can skip the thanks," Nicole said.

Jaron turned to Jasper. "Control your woman, will you?"

"Why would I?" Jasper replied. "She did the right thing."

Jaron was speechless. "Are you two even my friends? My heart is breaking, and all you guys do is twist the knife."

"Why did you take those drugs?" Jasper's expression turned serious. "Did you even think about the consequences?"

Jasper felt a lingering sense of dread just thinking about it. He knew what that loss of control felt like; if things hadn't been stopped, the outcome would have been unthinkable. His grip on Nicole's hand tightened.

"I don't even know how it happened," Jaron said.

"Jaron, is it possible your wine was spiked?" Nicole suggested. "Amelia didn't touch your glass, and she's perfectly fine."

"Tiffany would never do that," Jaron insisted. "It had to be my father. I know exactly what he's after."

Nicole couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Jaron, do you know why you got a near-perfect score on the SATs?"

"What are you getting at now?"

"It's because the study plan I made for you was flawless. Otherwise, with that brain of yours..." She shook her head, leaving the rest unsaid.

"Nicole, you don't know Tiffany as I do."

"I give up. I'm not saying another word." Nicole took a deep breath, her eyes softening with regret. "I went a bit overboard with the hit. I'm sorry. I'll cover your medical bills and send over some supplements."

"I don't blame you," Jaron said.

"Get some rest. I'm leaving," Nicole said.

The fallout? Their parents likely would have forced a marriage, and Amelia would have spent the rest of her life hating him.

Jasper was becoming more obsessed with his girlfriend and less concerned with his friends by the day.

"Well, if you need anything, just say the word. I've got your back."

"Just focus on healing up. I'm heading out."

"Jasper," Jaron called out as he turned to leave. "You and Nicole... you have to make it work. Be happy."

"We will."

Jasper's pace quickened as he headed downstairs. His heart ached just thinking about how hard Nicole had cried the night before.

At the sound of his footsteps, Nicole instinctively looked up. She could see the exhaustion written all over his face, and the thought of their canceled engagement brought a sharp, physical pain to her chest.

Despite how drained he felt, Jasper's expression softened into a smile the moment he saw her. He reached out his hand, his eyes full of warmth and affection. Nicole took it, and together they walked out of the Wellington estate.

The moment they were settled in the car, Jasper couldn't hold back any longer. He took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. In the quiet of the car, the only sounds were their rhythmic breathing and the frantic pounding of their hearts.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes were filled with a deep, lingering longing.

"I missed you so much, Nicole," he murmured, his voice low and raspy.

Her eyes grew misty as she gazed back at him. In that moment, she couldn't think about the future or the obstacles in their way; she just wanted to be with him. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You're working too hard. You need to get some rest."

"I'm not tired," he whispered.

In truth, he didn't dare rest.

He was terrified that one wrong move would mean losing her, and that was a price he simply couldn’t afford to pay.