Chapter 625:

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Nicole sniffled, her chest tight with emotion. “If you keep this up, Jasper, I’m going to get spoiled.”

He reached out and tapped her nose gently, a faint smile curving his lips. “That’s your right.”

She helped him back to bed, steadying him as he sat down. Then, a thought struck her. “Jasper… why didn’t you doubt me? Even after all the evidence she showed you?”

Jasper gazed into Nicole’s eyes—so bright, so full of life—and felt a tightness in his throat.

“Silly girl,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “How could I ever doubt you? The only one to blame is myself—for not realizing sooner that you were still alive, for not protecting you the way I should have.”

Nicole looked at him, confused.

“You found out about our blood relation in the operating room, didn’t you?” Jasper asked gently.

𝖳𝗁𝘦 𝗺o𝗌t 𝗽𝘰p𝘂𝗹а𝗋 ոо𝗏е𝗅ѕ о𝘯 𝗴𝘢𝗅𝗇𝘰v𝘦𝗅s.𝘤𝗼𝗆

Nicole gave a small nod. “Yes.”

“If you hadn’t made that payment to keep everything quiet, to keep this secret… the news of our relationship would’ve spread across Ariosa like wildfire. What followed would’ve been dangerous— unimaginably so. If I hadn’t been unconscious then, I would’ve done exactly what you did,” Jasper said.

Nicole’s heart softened. Her eyes shimmered with emotion. “So you knew all along, didn’t you?”

“You’ve made it this far by being cautious, taking careful steps. That’s exactly how you should move in a place like this.” He reached for her trembling hand, holding it gently. His voice softened. “But from now on… you don’t have to walk alone. You have me.”

Her heart stirred, and her eyes reddened.

Jasper continued, his voice quiet but firm. “If not for our bond—if not for family—what reason would you have to be a mere Powell after all you’ve accomplished? Back then, I never should’ve brought Felicia here. I only ended up hurting you.”

Nicole tightened her grip on his hand and shook her head. “If you hadn’t brought her, I might never have discovered the truth—that you’re my family. Don’t feel wronged, Jasper. And with you by my side, I’ll never feel wronged again.”

Her voice cracked slightly, thick with feeling. She was overwhelmed. Touched.

Memories of her time with the Wilson family washed over her—the coldness, the ache for love that never came. Now, she finally understood what real family was.

Real family was someone like Jasper—someone who saw her, believed in her, and put her first.

“Thank you, Jasper,” she whispered.

“It’s me who should be thanking you,” he replied quietly.

Just then, the door creaked open again. Both Jasper and Nicole turned toward the sound.

Veda stood in the doorway, hesitating. Her expression was a mix of nervousness and resolve. Gathering herself, she stepped forward.

Taking a deep breath, she began, “Mr. Powell… Helga is someone who keeps her promises. But I never received a payment to stay quiet, not from Dr. Wilson. I have every reason to tell you the truth. You deserve to know. Dr. Wilson didn’t donate her blood. There was hemolysis. That only happens between blood relatives. She’s your family.”

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