Chapter 9: Crossroads of the Heart
1023 Words
The Weight of Uncertainty
Alodia sat on the patio long after Raegan had gone inside, staring blankly at the morning sky.
Her chest felt heavy with the weight of indecision.
She had spent years being Raegan’s wife, the mother of his children, the woman who built a life with him. But was that life still hers?
And then there was Jasper.
Jasper, who made her feel things she had long forgotten. Jasper, who awakened a side of her that had been buried beneath the routine of marriage and motherhood.
She closed her eyes, pressing her fingers to her temple.
Raegan’s question echoed in her mind.
“Are we done?”
And her own answer haunted her.
“I don’t know.”
---
A Silent Breakfast
Inside the house, breakfast was a quiet affair.
Leila and Noah chattered about their plans for the day, blissfully unaware of the tension thick in the air.
Raegan barely spoke, only offering a nod or a hum in response.
Alodia could feel his eyes on her, watching, waiting.
But she had no answers to give him.
As she cleared the plates, her phone buzzed.
She knew who it was before even looking.
Jasper.
Her breath hitched as she read the message.
Jasper: Did you think about what I said?
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
What could she say? That she was torn? That she was scared? That she wanted him but didn’t know if she could destroy what was left of her family for him?
Before she could reply, Raegan spoke.
“Are you meeting him today?”
Alodia froze, gripping the edge of the counter.
She turned slowly, meeting his gaze. “Raegan—”
“I just want the truth,” he said. “No more lying.”
She exhaled shakily. “I don’t know.”
His jaw clenched. “Seems to be your favorite answer lately.”
She looked away, guilt gnawing at her.
“I have to go to work,” she said quietly.
Raegan let out a humorless chuckle. “Right. Work.”
She grabbed her bag and walked out the door before he could say anything else.
---
Temptation and Regret
When Alodia arrived at Jasper’s house, he was already waiting for her by the door.
The moment she stepped inside, he pulled her into his arms, his warmth enveloping her.
“You came,” he murmured against her hair.
Alodia closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into the moment.
“Jasper…” she whispered.
He pulled back slightly, his fingers brushing against her cheek. “I meant what I said, Alodia. Leave him. Be with me.”
Her breath hitched.
“I—”
Before she could respond, his lips captured hers in a deep, consuming kiss.
She knew she should stop.
That this was only making things worse.
But when Jasper kissed her, everything else faded away.
No guilt. No fear. No indecision.
Just them.
And for that brief moment, she let herself get lost.
---
A Passionate Escape
Jasper’s hands roamed her body with practiced ease, igniting flames under her skin.
Alodia melted against him, surrendering to the moment, to the fire, to the man who made her feel alive.
His lips traveled down her neck, his breath hot against her skin. “Stay with me,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire.
She shivered at the plea in his tone.
“Jasper…” she whispered, but it came out more like a sigh.
Her body responded to him before her mind could catch up, fingers gripping his shirt, pulling him closer.
This was reckless.
This was dangerous.
But it was also **inevitable.
He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the couch as if she weighed nothing. His kisses deepened, demanding, possessive.
She gasped against his lips as his hands traced down her spine, sending shivers down her body.
This was more than just passion.
It was an escape.
And for the moment, she let herself be consumed by it.
---
The Aftermath of Passion
Hours later, Alodia lay in Jasper’s arms, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest.
A deep sigh escaped her lips.
Reality was creeping back in.
Jasper must have sensed her shift because he tightened his hold on her.
“Don’t go,” he murmured against her hair.
She bit her lip. “I have to.”
Jasper tilted her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.
“You don’t,” he said softly. “You could stay. We could stop hiding.”
Alodia’s heart clenched.
He made it sound so simple.
But nothing about this was simple.
“There’s still my children, Jasper,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
His jaw tightened. “And Raegan.”
She hesitated.
“Yes.”
Jasper sat up, running a hand through his hair. “When are you going to stop living for him, Alodia?”
His words stung.
“I’m not living for him,” she said defensively.
Jasper turned to her, eyes sharp. “Then why are you still there?”
She exhaled shakily, wrapping the blanket around her. “Because it’s not just about me. I have to think about my kids, my family—”
“What about us?” he cut in. “Do you think about me? About what this is doing to me?”
Alodia’s breath hitched.
“I do,” she whispered. “Every day.”
Jasper’s expression softened. He reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips.
“Then stop running.” His voice was a plea now. “Choose me, Alodia.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
She wanted to.
God, she wanted to.
But could she?
Before she could answer, her phone rang.
Raegan.
She sucked in a breath, staring at the screen.
Jasper’s jaw tightened. “Are you going to answer that?”
She hesitated.
Then, slowly, she picked up.
“Alodia,” Raegan’s voice was rough. “We need to talk.”
She swallowed hard. “About what?”
Raegan’s next words sent ice through her veins.
“I know everything.”
- Writer
