She let out a shaky, broken laugh—one that wasn’t laughter at all.
“Stop?”
Her laugh came out sharp and bitter. Easy for him to say.
Or maybe she should remind him who was responsible for all of this.
His pupils widened; his gaze darkened. He let out a long breath, still standing far too close to her—closer than he had any right to be.
“I’m not just saying it,” he said, voice softening.“In case you forgot, you’ve got an independent psychiatric evaluation in two days. You need to pull yourself together or your husband’s gonna walk away without consequences. And for the record, I do know what I’m talking about. So listen to me—and stop taking that garbage.”
Her fingers curled into fists. But she said nothing.
Because he was right.
And that only made it hurt more.
“How do you even know about the evaluation?” The question tore out of her, tight and cold, panic blooming under her ribs.
Jasper smirked—though he looked like he hadn’t meant to reveal that.
“I was the one who put you in touch with the right person. Of course I’m aware of everything.”
So he’d been watching her?
So all of this… had been under his control?
“I’ve got thirty minutes before my next surgery. Let’s eat and talk about whatever reason made you jump into my car so fearlessly,” he said in a level, almost casual tone.“Then we’ll go our separate ways. Preferably without meeting again.”
He walked to the desk, unfazed, and pulled out the takeout containers Lynn had brought. He set out disposable utensils, arranging everything neatly, as if they were just two colleagues who’d bumped into each other at lunchtime.
“You hungry?” he asked without looking up.
She shook her head. There was a knot in her throat. How could he even talk about food? About appetite? She could barely stay standing. Barely breathe.
“No. Thanks,” she whispered.
But Jasper didn’t seem to hear her. Or pretended not to. He opened the containers, letting the delicious smell drift through the office.
“Sit down and eat,” he said in a tone that allowed no argument.
She froze, staring at him, stunned. Was he mocking her? Did he think she’d come here to chat over salad?
“I said I’m not hungry,” she managed to push out.
He finally lifted his eyes to hers. Calm. Slightly ironic. As if she were a problem to be solved. A diagnosis waiting to be named.
“Eat. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
She frowned, trying to meet his gaze without flinching.
What was this sudden attack of concern?
“Jasper, I really don’t want to eat. Can we just talk?”
“No,” he cut her off, sharp as a scalpel.“You eat first. Then we talk.”
She hesitated for a few moments… but she knew she wouldn’t win this one.
