Chapter 46 The Betrayal Everyone knew if word got out about Lydia's mental health struggles , it would destroy her dance career . Before that happened , Jasper was expected to step in and pretend to be Preston . He needed to calm her down whenever she had an episode . His father , Tybalt Fenton , also made it clear - their family couldn't afford to look ungrateful . Claudia could risk her reputation by going against Lydia because she had nothing to lose . Lydia was the shining face of the Lancasters . Most of their wealth would one day go to Clarence . But Jasper was different . He was the Fentons ' only heir , and he couldn't afford a scandal . Besides , it had been Claudia's idea to take that trip . Preston died saving Jasper . That meant , in everyone's eyes , they already owed Lydia . Of course , Tybalt had his own plan - this was the perfect chance to switch daughters - in - law that could benefit his family . And Lydia's image was miles better than Claudia's . Even in the household , the adopted daughter seemed to matter more than the real one . Why else would they push their daughter's fiancé to play boyfriend for the girl they took in ? Jasper was torn apart inside . But with everyone pressuring him , guilt eating at him , he finally gave in . He had only one condition : Claudia could never know . Jasper knew how much Claudia hated betrayal , and Lydia was the last person she'd accept . Even if it was fake , it was still a betrayal . Everyone agreed to his demand . And so , with Jasper at her side , Lydia calmed down . She stopped trying to kill herself . Her breakdowns happened less and less . The families worked together to cover it all up . Claudia , meanwhile , grew more upset as Jasper sided with Lydia again and again . But because 1/3 Chapter 46 The Betrayal of Preston , she stayed quiet . Finished Still , the silence only ate away at her , day after day , until her love for Jasper turned to ashes . Then , just two weeks before Jasper planned to propose , it all came crashing down . The two had grown up together . Marriage seemed natural . Jasper had promised Claudia that whatever others had , she would have too . A proposal was necessary . He planned it carefully , even ordering the ring in advance . Because of this , he was often gone , sneaking around to keep it secret . Claudia noticed . Suspicious , she decided to follow him . Backstage at a busy theater , she saw Jasper was holding Lydia close , pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead . On stage , fans had gone wild , trying to kiss Lydia as they handed her flowers . Triggered , Lydia had broken down . Jasper had rushed in with the bouquet meant for Claudia . Inside the emptied dressing room , surrounded by flowers , Lydia clung to Jasper . She pouted , jealous , when his phone kept ringing . " Why is Claudia calling you so much ? And why do you care so much about her lately ? Tell me- what's really going on with you two ? " Her tone was sharp , but her eyes were full of trust and love toward her boyfriend . Through the half - open door , Claudia's eyes met Jasper's . His expression froze . He looked stricken . But when Lydia leaned into him , he still wrapped his arms around her . Looking straight at Claudia , he said the words that crushed her . " She's just a sister . " Just a sister . Claudia felt like the universe had played the cruelest joke on her . The man she thought would stand by her forever dismissed her with one word - sister ? Looking back , the signs were all there . 2/3 The signs had been there all along : the secret calls , the hidden messages , the forgotten birthdays , and the shift from being on her side to pitying Lydia . Now , Lydia had stolen the last thing Claudia had left - Jasper's love . That very day , Claudia broke up with him . Send Gifts 10 ( Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!