Jasper’s confession

Jasper went to meet Rachel at her place at the end of the day. He noticed she was solemn and gloomy.

Her greeting was cold and unwelcoming. Everything was drab and cold.

He could tell she was upset with him. He felt jittery in his stomach.

Rachel nodded toward the sofa, asking him to sit down. "I will go brew some coffee."

"Aunt… I don't need coffee." He stopped her from going away. "Please sit with me and tell me what is bothering you."

They sat down.

Rachel's melancholy persisted. She was silent and appeared to be deeply contemplating something.

Maybe she was hesitating to start the conversation.

Jasper looked down at his fingers, his agitation growing. "If you have anything to say, say it freely. Don't treat me as an outsider, Aunt."

Rachel turned her head and looked at him. "I've always thought of you as my son... I never treated Elsa and Abi differently. You three are my children. But you let me down, Jasper..."