The Unwavering Heart That Broke novel Chapter 57

Lance put a finger to his lips, and Jasper just blinked and stayed quiet.

Lance came over and gently ruffled Jasper’s hair. He kept his voice low and soft. “Does your head still hurt?”

Jasper shook his head.

Lance lowered his gaze, dark eyes deep and unreadable as his hand kept moving gently over Jasper’s hair.

That cold and intimidating air he always carried still lingered around him, making the room feel frozen and tense.

Jasper felt it too. Honestly, right now, he was scared. Lance seemed so harsh and distant today, and it made him want to shrink away.

But he really needed to pee.

He tried to get up. Lance looked at him, eyes sharp. “What is it?”

“Bathroom.” Jasper’s voice was tiny.

Without a word, Lance scooped him up and carried him toward the bathroom. Jasper pressed himself close, loving the warmth and safety of Lance’s arms even if everything felt a little off.

In the bathroom, Jasper sat on the toilet, swinging his legs.

Lance watched him, his voice slow and careful. “Do you remember what happened tonight?”

Jasper nodded. “I remember.”

Lance’s tone softened just a little. “Can you tell me how you fell?”

Jasper’s eyes went a little foggy, his face turning even paler as if he was remembering something bad. His lips trembled. He started to say something, but before he could speak, Felice’s worried voice echoed through the house.

Lance watched them, something dark flickering in his eyes. He stepped back and spoke, “You know Nathalie, right?”

Felice kept her head down, pausing before answering. “Lance, I’ve let so many things from the past go, but not this time. Jasper is everything to me. Jackson is gone. I have to protect his child. I can’t let anyone hurt him.”

She looked up, eyes wet and red. “I’m not really the Blair family’s daughter, so I’ve always had to give in, always had to keep the peace. Even when she pushed me down the stairs as a kid, I said nothing. I just told everyone I slipped. I thought maybe if I kept quiet, she’d accept me, but I never thought she’d hurt my child. He’s just a kid…”

Felice broke down, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Lance… please, don’t come here anymore. I’ll take good care of Jasper. Even though he’s Jackson’s only child and even though he’s growing up without a father, I don’t want you coming back. I can’t let any more of this touch him. I won’t let him get hurt again.”

Lance’s face twisted with emotion as he glanced at Felice, then at Jasper’s pale face. His voice was rough. “Jasper isn’t to blame for any of this.”

He reached out, gently touching Jasper’s cheek, then turned and quietly walked away.

Felice clung to Jasper, tears still shining in her eyes. Once Lance was gone, she leaned in close and whispered at Jasper’s ear, “Jasper, you’re going to have a dad really soon.”