"Jasper, we need to act fast," Rita said firmly, her eyes glinting with urgency as she explained what had happened and how Ben's words might change Ella's mind. She leaned closer, her voice low but sharp, as if the weight of time itself pressed on them both.
"We need to…" Jasper said, his voice trailing off, his mind already spinning through options, possibilities, and contingencies. Every plan had to be perfect; there was no room for error.
" So what do you have in mind?" Jasper asked
" We need to find people who would do anything for money. They have to stand in as your family" Rita added
Jasper had been an orphan since he was a baby. Abandoned by an unknown woman, he had been told stories of her disappearance, though the details were always hazy, always incomplete. He had grown up in the orphanage, alone but learning quickly how to navigate a world that offered nothing for free. He survived through cunning, shrewdness, and calculated risk, always careful, always alert. The people he grew up with were his only family, though even those bonds were transactional, bound by necessity rather than affection.
He lived a life shaped by solitude, navigating shadowy deals and dangerous pathways as a means of survival. Every day was a test of resilience. He knew nobody to call family except those he had grown up with, and the orphanage itself had been both refuge and prison, teaching him lessons of loyalty, trust, and self-preservation that few others ever learned. His only option had been to find anyone willing to act as a parent or sibling, but at a price. Loyalty, care, and companionship came with a fee, and Jasper had learned to pay, bargain, and manipulate when needed.
"Yes, that's what I should do," Jasper said quietly to himself, determination hardening in his tone. His eyes narrowed, calculating the risks and the rewards. Every decision mattered now, every step could shift the outcome of what they had started.
Unknown to Rita, Jasper's feelings were much deeper than she realized. He wasn't just doing this for money or out of obligation, he had fallen in love with Ella. The thought of losing her, even if Rita called off their plan, was unbearable. He had already planned what he would do if Ella found out the truth after the wedding, but for now, he couldn't risk losing her. He had never felt his patience, cleverness, and devotion tested like this before.
Rita watched him closely, her eyes narrowing slightly, a small smile on her lips. She knew how intense he could be, and she had counted on that before when carrying out their plans.
"Good," Rita said quietly, her voice firm and deliberate. "You know what's at stake. Don't make a mistake. Every move matters, and one wrong step could ruin everything."
Jasper nodded, jaw tight, determination in his eyes. Thoughts raced through his mind; possibilities, what-ifs, risks, but he pushed them aside. There was no room for doubt. Right now, bold action was the only choice.
The room felt heavy with tension. Each of them lost in their own thoughts, the silence pressing down on them. Outside, life carried on as usual, unaware that hearts and plans were being manipulated like chess pieces. The stakes were high, and every move could change everything.
Outside the room, the city went about its normal rhythm, oblivious to the quiet storm inside. Inside, Jasper and Rita were locked in a careful dance of strategy, desire, and ambition. Every heartbeat held tension, every look hinted at power, and every thought could spark the next step in their plan.