As he continued to stare at Luna's pretty face, he was reminded of what he'd lost.
"Miss Jiang, can I have a word with you?" The women stopped chatting with each other and looked at his way. Hero's eyes sharpened but didn't argue with his request.
Her eyes sought after her husband, afraid that he'd be angry with Jasper's request; but she found no refusal. He only gave her a nod, allowing her to follow Jasper out but reminding her not to stay too long with him.
Luna stood up and followed Jasper with enough distance between them until they reached the empty hallways.
"What do you want to talk about, Young Master Mo?" Luna was clearly making sure Jasper knew that they had nothing to do with each other now.
Looking at him, she couldn't believe that she'd watched him turn into a friend, into a lover, and then into a complete stranger after a few weeks of not seeing him.
"What happened to you?" Jasper held her wrist and frowned as he gave Luna a good look.
"I should be the one asking you that, Jasper." Luna hissed and threw his hand away from her. It wasn't proper for her to be seen with Jasper this close. "Sleeping with Aiko and leaving after a month without a word? What do you take me for, huh?"
Jasper was ashamed of himself, but he was also mad at Aiko that just the mere thought of her was enough to make his blood boil in anger.
"I was drugged, and Aiko took advantage of me. You can't blame me for this, Luna. I didn't want any of these," he said helplessly. "This is just a misunderstanding."
"It isn't," Luna countered, "There's already a child involved."
Whether if she was talking about her baby or Aiko's, it didn't matter anymore.
After a moment of silence, Luna decided to make a clean cut from him.
"Let's end it here, Jasper."
She wasn't clear what kind of relationship did Jasper and Aiko have now, but she didn't want to be dragged down in another drama with them. After all, one was a woman who betrayed their friendship while the other destroyed the faith and trust she had with him.
It might not be Jasper's fault how she ended up pregnant and married to Hero, but he'd tolerated Aiko enough to scheme and harm her. He'd known from the start that his parents disapproved of their relationship, but Jasper never made an effort to protect her not to fight for her.
Even if she could let it go, she still didn't think she was foolish enough to forgive him. He'd taken her for a fool when he didn't tell her what happened between him and Aiko.
"This… how can you say that easily, Luna? Didn't you promise that you'll stay with me whatever happens?" Jasper said in despair.
Luna said nothing, but her eyes were starting to sting with tears again.
"Don't say that, Jasper." Luna laughed, but her tears betrayed her. "Don't say that I didn't fight for you. I did. Hard. You don't know how long I endured the insults thrown my way by being with you and how I tolerated your parents as they continue to demean me, reminding me every time I met them that I don't deserve you.
"So please forgive me if I say that I'm exhausted. You don't have to choose between me and your parents anymore." Luna wiped her tears dry. She was glad that there was no one around to see her like this.
Jasper was at a loss. He knew that he was also at fault her and couldn't blame Luna for giving up. He wasn't strong enough to protect her from being hurt not only by Aiko but from his family. But still… he couldn't accept in his heart that he'd lose her like this. His mind refused to accept that they were no more.
His eyes flashed slightly. It seemed as if indulging himself in a happy memory he shared with her. As he looked at her, he smiled slightly and reached out his hand to caress her cheek; but Luna turned her face away, avoiding his touch.
He tried to see if she was serious, and what he'd seen disappointed him. His hand dropped to his side.
"I'm sorry I have to leave now," Luna said.
Jasper watched Luna turned around, leaving him alone in the hallway. He knew he couldn't hold her back; he had no right to do so.
Luna stooped midway and looked over her shoulder.
"Jasper, you should ask yourself. Did you really love me, or were you only using me to cause trouble to your father?
When Luna entered the banquet hall and was forced to stop. At the corner, she spotted Hero talking with another man; but his eyes instantly landed on her. He bid goodbye to the other man and walked towards her.
"Is it done?" he asked her.
Luna gave him a bitter smile and held his arm for support. This time, she didn't want to stay anymore. She suddenly felt so vulnerable at the moment.
A few minutes later, Jasper also came back to the banquet hall… just in time to hear glass being hit by silverware, taking everyone's attention. Standing up on the stage was his parents and Aiko Chen with her father. Aiko was holding onto her father's hand as she smiled bashfully at their guests.
Horror was written all over Jasper's face once he realized what Aiko and his parents were planning to do. His eyes swept around him trying to find Luna Jiang on the crowd, only to find her speaking with low voices with Hero Li again.
He wanted to pull her away from Hero Li's side and run away together, but he knew he couldn't. Instead, he turned around to leave alone, not wanting to play the role of his stepmother and Aiko threw at him.