The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 450

"Are you blushing?" Jasper teased, his finger tracing her burning cheek.

"Are you picking on me?"

"I wouldn't dream of it." He laughed, a sound of pure happiness, as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Nicole, don't worry about packing much. Just your ID and essentials."

"Will we even be able to get on a plane?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"I'll handle the arrangements."

Nicole nodded, though she could feel her pulse racing. "The doorbell is still ringing. Are we just going to ignore them?"

"Let them wait."

Jasper swept her up and sat her down on the sofa, settling in beside her. "Nicole."

"Yeah?"

"I want to kiss you."

Nicole's eyes widened, and her lips parted to speak, but he was already there, capturing her mouth in a tender kiss. They didn't pull apart until Jaron's call finally forced them to break the moment.

"Friday, Nicole. Don't let me down."

"I won't. I'll be waiting for you."

Jasper held her tight, the weight of their upcoming separation heavy in his chest. "I'll head out first," he said reluctantly. "Jaron is outside waiting for you."

"Okay."

He carried her all the way to the door before finally setting her down. "I have to go now, Nicole."

"I know."

Jasper cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead, his eyes brimming with an intensity that spoke of a love he couldn't quite put into words. Then, he turned and left.

Outside, a wall of Moore family bodyguards stood waiting.

"Mr. Moore, please come with us," one of them demanded.

Jasper let out a cold, sharp laugh and followed them to the car.

When Nicole stepped outside a moment later, her gaze remained fixed on the spot where he had disappeared.

"Give it a rest," Jaron said gently. "He's long gone."

"Jaron, thank you for coming to get me."

"Since when did we start being so polite?" Jaron joked, holding the car door open for her.

As he drove, Jaron kept glancing at her through the rearview mirror, his heart aching for what she was going through. "You want to crash the wedding? Say the word, and I'm there on Saturday."

Nicole couldn't help but laugh. "What, are you going to help me carry him out on your shoulder?"

"Amelia and I will carve a path for you through the crowd," Jaron said. "Consider it our version of a red carpet."

"Jaron, thank you."

Hearing his support helped the knots in her chest loosen.

It meant everything to know that she and Jasper weren't alone—that someone was actually rooting for them.

"Trust him, Nicole," Jaron added. "Don't give up."

"I won't."

"Amelia and I have your backs."

At the mention of Amelia, a flicker of sadness crossed Jaron's face.

If she felt the same, he would have fought for her. But after the mess they'd made of things, he felt he had no standing left. It was better to keep things as they were; at least that way, they could remain friends.

It was obvious they were crazy about each other, but the timing was just never right.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

Jaron just shook his head. As he turned to leave, a bodyguard approached. "Mr. Wellington," the man prompted.

"It's only been five minutes," Jaron grumbled as he walked away. "Jasper, how are you any different from a prisoner?"

Felix entered as Jaron was leaving. "Jasper, make some time to go with Zoe for a dress fitting."

"I'm busy."

"She's your fiancée," Felix reminded him.

"She's someone you forced on me. Looking at her makes me sick—unless you want me to vomit, stop pushing it."

Felix sighed. "You'll understand eventually." He had once loved a woman he couldn't have, and yet he had moved on and lived a good life.

He was convinced that once Jasper was married, he would forget all about Nicole.

Over the next few days, Jasper focused entirely on his escape. Vivian had already begun arranging assets and properties for him.

"Thank you, Mom," Jasper said.

"Just be happy, son," she replied.

"I'm going to find out what happened to my sister," Jasper promised. "I won't let it go."

Vivian nodded slowly. "Just keep moving forward. I'll clear a path for you. When the time is right, you can come back and ask the Shaws for their forgiveness."

"Mom," Jasper started, "you're so talented. Why were you always content being just a housewife?"

He had realized lately that his mother was far more than just a socialite. He couldn't understand why she had spent years in his father's shadow, supporting a man who didn't return her affection.

"Jasper, don't ever hold Nicole back," Vivian said, sidestepping his question. "She deserves to shine. Work hard together, stand by each other, and things will work out."