"Yeah, yeah, of course. In a room full of people, she's somehow the only fragile flower—yet she's glued to her sister's boyfriend. And Jasper—so noble, so kind—wouldn't touch a soul… except his almost–sister-in-law. One day when they finally end up in bed, I guess everyone else's eyes will still be the problem. My heart's dirty? Fine. I'll say it—those two look like a pair of overflowing trash cans. Filthy and perfectly matched." "Claudia, that's not what you think." Jasper had already stepped away from Lydia the second Claudia looked over. Hearing his name tied to Lydia's again made bile rise in his throat. "Not what I think?" Claudia gave a crooked smile. "Jasper, do you have any idea how many times you've said that to me over the years?" He hesitated, then tried, "There are reasons. I can explain." "I don't wanna hear it." Excuses were just noise. Whatever reasons he had, it didn't change the fact that, time and time again, he'd left her standing on the other side."The engagement party—" Lottie began. "There isn't going to be one. How do you throw an engagement party when the proposal blew up?" "What do you mean?" Lottie's voice cracked, stunned. Every Lancaster turned to stare at Claudia. Only Lydia's eyes lit up, just a flicker. "Do I need to spell it out?" Claudia looked right at Jasper. "Yesterday, during the proposal, I told you—if you walked away, we were done. Want me to repeat it slower? Jasper, we're over. I don't want you anymore." "No! I don't accept that!" The words hit Jasper like a hammer to the chest. His lungs squeezed tight, and the protest tore out before he could stop it. He'd been by her side since she was three—twenty years. How could it all end over one failed proposal? She'd said since they were kids that she'd marry him. They were fate. "Take it back. Pretend you never said it," he growled, jaw clenched. Claudia ignored him and turned to Lottie. "Consider this your official notice. If you don't want to throw a party with no bride, stop planning now." "Ridiculous!" Lottie snapped, her voice slicing through the air. "This marriage was agreed on long ago. You think this is some kind of joke? You were the one begging for it, acting like you'd die without it—and now you're backing out? You think you can just change your mind whenever you feel like it?" Claudia's gaze turned icy. "Then you marry him. Or better yet—" Her eyes slid to Lydia. "Don't you still have another daughter?" "Claudia! You know I only love you!" Jasper's voice was raw, desperate. She laughed—just one sharp, empty sound. Once, that might've melted her. Not anymore. "Enough. In this cute little family of yours, there's no room left for me. Goodbye. Actually—let's never meet again." She flicked her hand and walked out, her steps light, her back straight. "Claudia!" Jasper lunged forward, but Lydia caught his hand. "It's my fault," she whispered, small and soft. "If I hadn't gotten hurt, none of this would've happened. Claudia's just angry. Chasing her now won't help. When she cools off, we'll explain everything together. She'll understand you never meant to abandon her. She's loved you for so many years—she only said it in anger." "She's right," Lottie said, patting Lydia's hand. "Leave her be. She'll come back once she calms down. Doesn't she always? Don't blame yourself, sweetheart. I'm the one who called last night. It was just a proposal—how could that possibly matter more than your health?" Three years ago, Claudia had begged to go sailing, and the family had humored her. Lydia and her boyfriend tagged along. It ended in disaster—Lydia's boyfriend drowned saving Jasper, and Lydia nearly drowned herself. After that, her memories blurred; sometimes, she mixed Jasper up with her late boyfriend. Last night, after the accident, she slipped again—called out her boyfriend's name. That's why Lottie called Jasper over. Who could've guessed it would be the exact moment he was proposing? Still, Lottie didn't feel a shred of guilt. She'd do it again if she had to. Claudia owed Lydia too much. A proposal was nothing compared to that. How could Claudia be so petty? So ungrateful? Zane snorted. "Claudia's been chasing Jasper for twenty years. Clings like gum on a shoe. Who's gonna believe she suddenly doesn't wanna marry him?" Their words dragged Jasper back from the door, but unease gnawed at him. They'd promised when they first started dating—never say 'break up' unless you meant it. Even after three years of fights, even when Lydia confused him for her dead boyfriend, even when he was forced to kiss her, Claudia never walked away. She just cried for a month. This time… was it really just anger? Maybe it was finally time to put real distance between him and Lydia. He hadn't checked in with the psychiatrist this month—he'd need to. No matter what, he still wanted Claudia. He'd wanted her for years. Everyone else brushed off Claudia's words as a tantrum. Only Lydia, watching her walk away, lowered her eyes, thoughtful.If it was true—great. If it wasn't… well, she wouldn't mind fanning the flames. … When the police station commotion finally ended, the Lancasters were about to leave when a passing officer stopped short. "Claudia Lancaster? She was just here last night—and back again already?" He'd been on duty for the assault case and returned today for paperwork. Seeing Claudia leave, his tone had a bite of sarcasm. "You know Claudia? She was here last night too?" Jasper asked sharply. "That girl again? What's she done now?" Wilson grumbled. Clarence scowled. "This place is practically her second home. Does she think she's still stuck in her rebellious phase?" In a handful of words, they'd condemned her all over again. Only Lydia's eyes flickered, though her voice stayed gentle, smoothing over Wilson's irritation. "Dad, we don't know what happened yet. Claudia's still young. It's normal to act impulsive sometimes." "Young? She's twenty-three. If she had half your sense, I'd finally get some sleep at night." "Hey, hey," the officer interrupted, clearly annoyed. "Who said she was in trouble? The girl ran into a bunch of thugs last night. She got hurt, scared half to death. If it weren't for a passerby, who knows what would've happened? You're her family? And you didn't even know?" He muttered, half under his breath, "She still had a bandage on her arm. Seems that stranger cared more than her own parents." His voice wasn't loud, but it hit the Lancasters like a slap. Only then did they remember how pale Claudia had looked. They'd been too busy raging to notice. Lottie's voice wavered. "She's hurt? Badly?" No matter how furious she'd been, Claudia was still her daughter—her own flesh and blood. If Claudia weren't so defiant, how could Lottie not love her?