Chapter 45 Bound by Guilt When Jasper arrived at the Lancaster Residence , Clarence was already waiting at the door . When he saw Jasper step out of the car alone , Clarence's face darkened . " Claudia didn't come back with you ? " " I went to look for her , but she was already gone , " Jasper replied . Clarence fell silent for a long moment , then said quietly , " She hasn't been home in a while . I thought at least today she would come back . " A mocking smile tugged at Jasper's mouth . " Come back for what ? To watch her boyfriend cozy up to another woman ? " Clarence lowered his head , guilt - ridden and unable to argue . Jasper saw his guilt and laughed at himself . Look at that . Everyone knew what would hurt Claudia , but they all had excuses for ignoring her pain . Himself included . Jasper , you're just as guilty . Finally , Clarence spoke again . " Lydia's upstairs . You should check on her . " Jasper let out a cold laugh and dragged his heavy steps toward the staircase . He stood at Lydia's door for several minutes . But in his mind , all he saw was Claudia , alone in the cemetery , standing in the rain . An impulse struck him - leave right now , go to her , apologize , and wish her a happy birthday . Forget about family honor and obligations . None of that mattered . But before he could act on it , the door opened . Lydia darted out like a frightened rabbit and threw herself into his arms . " Preston , I missed you so much ! " It felt like chains wrapped around his ankles , holding him in place . Jasper couldn't move . Lydia pulled him toward the bed with a smile . " Preston , will you tuck me in tonight ? " Her fingers brushed the red marks on her neck , her face troubled . " Claudia got mad at me again today . How do I make things right with her ? Maybe we should just get married soon ! " Her eyes shone with hope . " If we're married , I can move out . Then Claudia will have no reason 1/3 Chapter 45 Bound by Guilt to stay away . " She sounded so sincere , as if she were thinking only of her sister . Jasper couldn't tell her the truth - Preston Wood could never marry her . man who truly loved Lydia had died in that storm at sea . Finished asper's throat tightened . The words he wanted to say stuck until all that came out was a gentle sigh . " Let me put some medicine on your neck . " " Preston , you're so good to me . " She looked at him with innocent trust . " Now that you're here , I'm not afraid anymore . You'll always stay with me , won't you ? " Her hand touched his face as if Jasper were her boyfriend . Awkward , Jasper pulled away slightly but still gave her the answer she longed for . " Yes . I'll always be here for you ." Ever since Preston gave his life to save him , Lydia had become a responsibility Jasper could never escape . and Preston had once been close friends . Preston was a kind man - easygoing and ming . Even Claudia , who often clashed with Lydia , never disliked him . why they all agreed to go on that boating trip together . Preston had once been the perfect couple , admired by everyone . Long before Jasper a became a pair , Lydia and Preston were already together . They were deeply in love and had always planned to marry . Preston's hobbies didn't match his gentle personality . He loved the outdoors , chasing challenges and pushing limits . That was why , during the storm and the shipwreck , he could stay calm . He rescued Lydia and the others , but when he reached out to pull Jasper to safety , his strength finally gave out , and the sea swallowed him whole . When Lydia woke to the news of her boyfriend's death , she was devastated . She tried to end her life more than once . After one attempt , when she leapt into the sea again , her memory blurred . The first face she saw when she opened her eyes was Jasper's , and she believed he was Preston . Jasper wanted to explain , to bring in doctors to help her . 2/3 Chapter 45 Bound by Gunt Finished But the Lancasters insisted Lydia couldn't handle the shock . Any treatment , they said , would have to be slow , gentle , and carefully managed . Send Gifts 10 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!