Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

In the deep of the night, Alyssa was soundly asleep by Jasper's side while he pored through the financial reports and project proposals.

All of a sudden, he heard a knock on the door, followed by Rosie's worried voice. "Mr. Beckett, Madam Alyssa, are you asleep?" Jasper tiptoed to answer the door to avoid waking up Alyssa. "Mrs. Rosie, it's late. Why aren't you sleeping yet?" "Mr. Beckett, Mr. Axel is here!" "Mr. Axel? Lyse's brother?" He was taken aback.

"Yes! He looks quite upset. He's in the living room. Please check on him!" Mrs. Rosie reported.

At that time, Alyssa rubbed her eyes groggily and shuffled up to Jasper in her fuzzy slippers. "Jasper, did you just say that Axel was here?" "Sorry for waking you up." He gently held her by the waist with a tender look.

bodies separated only through a layer of silk fabric. "I'm fine, but I'm worried about Axel. He won't show up late at night for no good reason. Jasper, let's meet with him now." Jasper's and Alyssa's jaws dropped when they saw Axel

would never reveal to Alyssa the

up to him and ran her fingers across his shoulders. Her face turned white from the shock. "Lyse, I'm fine,"

of his self. His eyes were vacant, and his voice low. Worried sick, she asked, "How could you claim you're fine? What happened to your face and your clothes?" Moments later, Axel looked up with restrained feelings that threatened to inundate him. Breathing slowly, he began, "Lyse, I've not asked you for any favors these years. This time, I

his emotions. "Amber Altman." Jasper and Alyssa were caught off guard. This was the first tthey heard Axel mentioning a woman's name. Axel lowered his gaze and grabbed the