Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

After making the arrangements, Jasper and Alyssa traveled home to Solana City. During the journey, he pulled her into a hug, kissing her on the ear. "Lyse, thank you. How can I ever thank you enough?"

"Why so formal?" Alyssa wrapped her arm behind his neck while tapping the tip of his nose, sending his heart fluttering. "In return, how about you take Mrs. Rosie's place and cook for me for a month?"

"A month? You're underestimating me." He squinted at her with an affectionate look. "I can cook for you forever."

She shook her head. "Oh, never mind then. I appreciate the thought. Eating your cooking forever will only be torture."

She rendered Jasper speechless with that remark. Pouting, she added, "To be honest, I feel sorry for putting this burden on Cyrus, but it's the only way to pressure the Hodgsons into calling off the marriage.

"Only when the Hodgsons give up on Lauren will Landon have the luxury of time to focus on his family matters. He'll stand a chance to get back with Lauren once he sorts out his family issues."

"Lyse, I have other ways to deal with the Hodgsons," Jasper began.

She shook her head. "I know you're prepared, but you shouldn't get into trouble with the politicians in Solana City."

He said coldly, "I don't mind crossing anyone for Lauren and Landon's sake."

wrong side for now. You can't give him ammunition against you. If he thinks you're a liability to the Beckett

Winston's business and assets for years. I'm sure she

grin. He was about to kiss her again when her phone

"We got news that Betty went for a health checkup at the hospital, and she looked quite

then." She spoke in a low voice, her eyes shining with a chilling look, "Get someone to monitor her. After she leaves

"Got it, Ms. Alyssa!"

Betty struggled with continuous low fever for a week at Mosgravia. The fever did

Mosgravia. Her allowance was a pittance that wasn't enough to sustain her

for something as minor as a prick in the finger.

decided to visit the hospital late at night, as new symptoms such as

wrapped herself in a dirty jacket and

her sleep, a nurse woke her up and reminded her to get the test

a low voice, "Madam, I'm sorry to let you know that you have caught HIV. We came to this

a blank stare on the doctor's

grasp Grunslandish. Still, she understood the