“At first, my family was completely fooled by my father. They thought he had cut ties with that woman and gotten rid of the child. But when I was about five or six, my mother discovered the truth. She confronted him, and it turned into a huge fight. It got so bad that both familles had to get involved because my parents‘ mamage wasn’t just between them. It was an alliance between the Jasper and Lincoln familles, tied to family interests
“The divorce never happened. Under pressure from both families, my father promised to cut ties with that woman. But my mother never got over it. She carried that hurt with her, and growing up, 1often heard them arguing–always about that woman and her son.
Sean paused, a trace of bitterness flickering in his expression. “Eventually, we heard that woman passed away. My
My father tried to bring the boy back, wanted to acknowledge him officially as his son. But my grandparents refused. He couldn’t get their approval, so the whole matter just fizzled out. He was devastated for a while, but eventually, he went back to bring the devoted husband and father everyone thought he was.”
Charlotte was stunned, struggling to process everything she had just heard.
On the surface, Mr. Jasper seemed like a refined, polite, and responsible man–someone who treated everyone with warmth and respect. But beneath that polished exterior, he was the complete opposite. He was a man who betrayed his family, a man who couldn’t keep his desires in check, a complete scumbag
Thinking about the gentle and kind Mrs. Jasper nearly jumping to her death because of him filled Charlotte with a mix of sympathy and fear. If she had gone through with it, Sean would have grown up without a mother. And if that other woman had managed to bring her illegitimate child into the family, Sean’s life would have been a nightmare.
But thankfully, that tragedy never happened.
When Charlotte remained silent, Sean shifted his gaze from the laptop screen to look at her. His deep, dark eyes held a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of pleading.
Lottie, do you think my family is a mess? His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed his fear. “Please don’t think I’m like my father. I’m not. I promised myself a long time ago that I would only love one person in my life. I would be loyal. I would be faithful.”
There was a hint of vulnerability in Sean’s expression–arare, almost tragile look that she had never seen before. It was as if he was afraid that Charlotte would see the chaos of his family and mistake him for being just like his father, pushing her away.
Charlotte’s heart ached with a bittersweet mix of emotions. She felt a pang of sadness for the pain he had endured as a child and for the insecurity he felt now.
But at the same time, there was a tender sweetness in knowing how much he cared about her opinion and how much he feared losing her.
Unable to hold back, Charlotte leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm, tight embrace. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Sean, I know. I’ve always known.”
She knew he wasn’t like his father. Since being with him, she had never once doubted his sincerity.
Sean hugged her back, burying his face in her shoulder, breathing in her scent like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. In her gentle embrace, his restless heart finally calmed.
Charlotte’s voice was soft and soothing, her words like a gentle promise. “Sean, as long as you don’t leave first, I will never let you go.”
Her words struck a deep chord within him. His heart tightened, and a faint sting of tears touched his eyes.
His Lottie was so good to him. How could the ever even think of letting her go?
