"I didn't do it Tasha, it wasn't me! I wouldn't.. I couldn't! I adored her, adored that baby. I was leaving your mother to be with her.. so why would I hurt Flora?"
I looked into Jasper's desperate eyes and I believed him. All the long hours of amateur detective work and we had had the wrong suspect all along.
"Why did you ask to see me Jasper? Whether I believe you or not is irrelevant."
"Tasha, please, I don't care that I'm locked up, I don't care what people think, but the true murderer is free every moment that I am imprisoned for the crime! Flora and our child deserve justice!"
* * *
Blinking into the bright afternoon sunlight, I exited the prison where Jasper was remanded until his trial. I had agreed to help him - I had no choice as I had helped put him behind bars - but that meant seeing Blade.
I hadn't seen or spoken to him in six long months. Nate - dear, sweet Nate - had beaten Blade up and I suppose it knocked some sense into him because he had inundated me with calls and texts and flowers begging me to accept his apology. I couldn't though.
To ensure I didn't see Blade I had moved out of my apartment and into a new one within 24 hours of the.. incident.. and only Lane and Nate knew of my new address. It was why I had only just received the message that Jasper wanted to see me.
A month after Blade and I.. parted.. Jasper was arrested. Nate said Blade had handed over the evidence we had gathered to the police and given a witness statement about the night of the murder.
I had spent the last 6 months desperately trying to find Jaxson but with no luck. I would find him one day, I would, but unfortunately I was unable to keep the promise I had made that he would be home for Lane's wedding. It was tomorrow!
I couldn't contain my smile - ignoring the odd looks I was getting - my bestie was getting married in the morning!!
Nate had decided not to have Blade at the wedding, their relationship had been so strained after what happened, but I had argued until he agreed to invite him. Nate's family would be there and it should be a happy day, there would be no family drama caused by excluding anyone because of me.
I hadn't healed from the attack.. mentally. Physically, I'd healed quickly but dealing with all the emotions.. I'd enjoyed it, hadn't wanted it to stop.. but it had been an assault. I'd orgasmed several times but I'd been rap*d. It was so difficult to accept and I still felt ashamed of my reactions.
* * *
The wedding was completely gorgeous, Lane and Nate both looked stunning and deliriously happy.
I had tried my best to ignore Blade but it had been hard. It was a shock to the system seeing him again after so long. I had forgotten how beautiful he was, how he drew all eyes to him effortlessly.
"May I have this dance?"
Encased in ice at the sound of his voice, my body visibly shaking, I turned to look at the man I had fallen in love with who had hurt me irreversibly.
Without waiting for a response or meeting my eye, he caught my fingers between his own and led me to the dance floor.
Swallowing noisily, I cleared my throat, attempted to speak, then gave up and tried to break his hold and end the dance. Ignoring my futile attempts he pulled me closer until my head rested against his chest.
"I've found Jaxson."
All thoughts of anger and fear fled my mind at this joyous news.
"Are you serious?! That's amazing! Thank you! Where is he?"
Looking into Blades eyes for the first time in six months, I was taken aback to see that he looked cold and detached.
"I'll tell you Tasha.. once we're married. Call it my wedding gift to you."