Charlotte lowered her head. “It was all my fault.”

Lillian tumed to her sharply. “What do you mean by that?”

Charlotte took a deep breath and exined everything from the rooftop–every detail, every decision.

Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s expression darkened. “So Sean took that knife for you?”

Charlotte’s lips pressed into a thin line. “yes”

Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s voice was sharp with disapproval. “You acted recklessly. We had already called the police. There were security guards on the property, Couldn’t you have waited a little longer? If you hadn’t rushed in like that, Sean wouldn’t be lying in there right bnow/bb./b”

b“/bI’m sorry, Mrs. Jasper St., Charlotte said quietly. Her voice was tight, almost bhoarse/b, her head bbowed /beven blower/b. “bThis /bis all on me.”

Mrs. Jasper Sr. didn’t relent. “And all this trouble–before you’re even married.”

Desmond’s expression tumed cold. “What exactly are you implying, Mrs. Jasper5r.? My daughter was the one targeted. bSean’s /bthe one bring chased by ban /bobsessive woman, and you’re ming Charlotte?”

He took a step forward, his voice rising, “Wait a little longer? Are you bserious/b? That woman bhad /bba /bbknife /bto my younger daughter’s throat. She threatened to kill her if charlotte didn’t show up. You really think standing around and waiting bwas /ban option?”

Desmond scoffed, his tone biting. “You mentioned security? Where were your bguards /bwhen a child got abducted in broad daylight? Were bthey /bbon /bbreak? bDead /basleep? My younger daughter was kidnapped. Charlotte risked her life to save her. And now you’re telling me she acted rashly? You should be grateful she had the

He was lived now. “Let me ask you something–it it had been your son with ba /blife to his bthroat/b, bwould /byou have bwalted /bfor the guards to show up?

“And don’t tell me Sean ‘took the knife forher.” What–so you’re saying the de should have gone into my daughter instead?”

He stared Mrs. Jasper Sr. down, his voice steely. “The attacker was clearly the one at fault. But here you are, , ming the victim. Is that how things work in your family?!

Mr. Jasper Sr.coughed twice, cutting through the tension. b“/bDesmond, don’t get so worked up. You’re right. None of this was Charlotte’s fault.” He turned to his wife, his tone sharp. “What on earth are you saying? That wasn’t fair.”

Mrs. Jasper Sc. flushed with anger. Her chest heaved. “Fine! Now bI’m /bthe viinb? /bI won’t bargue /bwith you anymore.‘

She spun around band /bstormed boff/b.

Mr. bJasper /bSr. tumed back bto /bDesmond with a calmer voice. “Desmond, I understand your frustrationb. /bThis whole thing is on us.”

Desmond exhaled slowly, reining in bhis /bemotions. “Now that Sean’s stable, I’m going home. My youngest is still shaken. I need to be with her.”

Mr. Jasper Sr. nodded and turned to James “Walk him out.”

Charlotte took a step toward Sean’s room, but Desmond stopped her.

“You’reing home with ribe,” he said tly. “If anything happens with Sean’s condition, I don’t bwant /bthem ming byou /bbagain/bb./b”

The broom /bfell ufortably quiet. The Jasper side new Desmond wasn’t wrong. After everything Mrs. Jesper St. had bjust /bsaid, they bhad /bno ground bto /baggue.

Charlotte turned toward her father, clearly tom. “bDad/bb../b”

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