Chapter 25 ( Scarlett's POV ) More Rewards > He's standing by the Korean BBQ truck , maybe fifty yards away , but he hasn't seen us yet . He's talking to someone on his phone , gesturing with his free hand . " Scarlett ? " Dorian notices my sudden stillness . " Everything okay ? " " Actually , I just remembered Lily wanted to go on the rides . " My voice sounds strained even to my own ears . " There's a small carnival section on the other side of the park ." " But I'm getting butterfly wings ! " Lily protests . " We'll come back after the rides , " I promise , already lifting her from the chair . " The artist will still be here . " The face painter looks confused but shrugs . " I'll be here until six . " I force myself to walk calmly toward the opposite end of the park , every nerve screaming at me to run . Dorian falls into step beside us , and I can feel his concerned glances . " Are you sure you're alright ? You look pale . " " Just tired . The fresh air will help . " The carnival rides are small - the kind meant for young children . A miniature Ferris wheel , spinning teacups , a little train that goes in circles . Perfect for keeping Lily busy while I figure out how to get us out of here without Jasper spotting us . " Can I go on the train , Mama ? Please ? " Lily bounces on her toes . " Of course , sweetheart . " I pay for a ticket , my hands shaking slightly as I help her into one of the tiny cars . The ride operator , a bored teenager , barely looks up from his phone . " It goes around five times ," he mutters . " Keep your arms inside . " I step back to the fence with Dorian , watching Lily wave excitedly as her little train chugs along its track . The motion is soothing , predictable . For the first time in ten minutes , I can breathe . " You know , if you don't want to tell me what's wrong , that's fine , " Dorian says quietly . " But I'm here if you need someone ." 1/3 : < Chapter 25 His kindness makes my chest ache . " It's complicated . " " Most things worth talking about are . " More Rewards > I'm about to respond when movement catches my eye . Someone approaching the ride area from the path we just took . My heart stops . Jasper is walking straight toward us , his phone call finished , scanning the small crowd around the rides like he's looking for someone . Looking for me . " We need to go , " I whisper urgently . " What ? Lily's still on the- " " Now . " I grab Dorian's arm , pulling him toward a cluster of game booths . " Please , just trust me . " We duck behind a ring toss game , the smell of popcorn and cotton candy thick around us . Through the gaps between stuffed animals hanging as prizes , I watch Jasper approach the train ride . He stops at the fence , his gaze sweeping over the children on the ride . And then he sees her . But he's not looking for me . His gaze stops on the little train , and I watch his expression shift to something softer , more curious . He recognizes Lily - not as his daughter , but as the little girl from the bakery . The owner's daughter who sometimes waves at customers through the window . " We need to go ," I whisper urgently to Dorian . " What ? Lily's still on the- " " Please , just trust me . " I pull him behind a nearby game booth , my heart hammering as I watch Jasper approach the train ride . He leans against the fence , a small smile playing on his lips as he watches the children go around in circles . When Lily's car comes around again , she spots him and waves enthusiastically . " Hi ! Are you here for the rides too ? " 2/3 < Chapter 25 Jasper's smile widens . " Just watching . You look like you're having fun . " " I am ! This is the best day ever ! " Lily calls as her car moves past . More Rewards > There's something in Jasper's expression as he watches her - a gentleness I haven't seen in years . The way he used to look at stray cats or children in the grocery store when he thought no one was watching . But there's something else too . A strange fascination , like he can't quite look away . My chest tightens with panic . What if he sees it ? The resemblance everyone always commented on before I left ? The way she scrunches her nose when she laughs , just like he does ? The stubborn set of her jaw when she's concentrating ? " She's a sweet kid ," I hear him say to a woman standing nearby , the parent of a child on the ride perhaps . " Very polite . " " That she is . " The woman replies , smiling fondly . Jasper nods , but he doesn't move away from the fence . He stays there , watching Lily with an intensity that makes my skin crawl with anxiety . When the ride stops , I expect him to leave . Instead , he stays put as Lily climbs out of her train car . " That was so fun ! " she declares , running towards him . I nearly curse at the sight . Why is she running towards him ? I don't remember them being so familiar with each other . Did Jasper get close to her behind my back ? That's ridiculous . He doesn't even know who she is . Violet Moon # Vote # ! Comments