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" Whitney's voice rose, sharp and furious. "You can't stand to hear your precious Lydia criticized? Jasper, do you even remember who your girlfriend is?"Jasper's eyes iced over. Claudia caught Whitney's arm, voice quiet but firm."If you walk out that door, Jasper, we're done."Too much time had already been wasted. Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed."Don't say something you'll regret. Claudia, we'll talk when I get back."He turned and strode out without another glance.He didn't even know how bad Lydia's injuries were—he just knew he had to go.He told himself, When I get back, I'll make it up to her. I'll give her an even better proposal.He also made a mental note to tell Claudia to stay away from Whitney; clearly that girl was filling her head with nonsense.The room sagged under the weight of it all. Even those who thought Claudia was being dramatic kept their mouths shut. No one wanted to cross Jasper—or the Sawyers.One by one, they slipped away.In minutes, the place was unrecognizable.Crushed rose petals and ribbons littered the floor. Wine bottles rolled under chairs. Frosting smeared across the carpet. The whole scene looked like a parody of what it had been—mocking the ridiculousness of it all.As the last few lingered, someone frowned. "Wait—Lydia's the Lancasters' adopted daughter, right? I heard she's Claudia's cousin. Why didn't anyone call Claudia too?""Call her? What, you want to make Lydia's injuries even worse?""Whoa, what's that supposed to mean?""The usual. Miss Lancaster's cold, cruel, ungrateful… you know how it goes."The whispers started again—soft, poisonous, and familiar. They always did whenever Lydia's name came up next to Claudia's.Whitney's face burned with anger. She turned to Claudia, suddenly worried.Strangers' gossip didn't matter—but betrayal from someone you love? That always hit deeper.Claudia watched Jasper's back as he walked away, each step pulling him further from her. It felt like watching the years slip through her fi
