Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Gina exclaimed, "I see that you've got a hidden agenda. You are on the same side as David! He was the one who arranged for
you to come over and harm Maggie. Am I right?"
Alyssa responded, "No! I..."
"You didn't have good intentions either! I can't believe that you operated on that bastard. You are just siding with the enemy! I
want you to get out! Don't ever come and bother Maggie again!" Gina shouted painfully at Alyssa. Her eyes were bloodshot as
she glared at her.
Alyssa was anxious. Right before Gina could slam the door closed, Alyssa reacted speedily by putting her hand on the side of
the door.
"Mrs. Madison! I am really here to help Maggie! Please hear me out!"
In her anger, Gina picked up a newly-opened bag of laundry powder which was sitting on the window sill. Without another word,
she flung it at Alyssa's face!
Sweat formed on Alyssa's forehead. It was too late for her to dodge it.
All of a sudden, she felt a strong force pushing her away. Immediately after, she found herself enveloped by a stable and fiery
presence.
The arm that was around her waist was firm. She then heard Jasper panting heavily by her ear!
Alyssa was flustered. Following that was a loud smack. The bag of laundry powder hit Jasper on the back of his head. The white
powdery substance fell on his head, shoulders, and back like snow.

In an instant, his black suit had turned white. He looked extremely miserable.
"Mr. Beckett, are you alright?" Xavier was as white as a sheet. Fearfully, he ran over to check on Jasper.
Alyssa's heart was racing. She was terrified. With her trembling hands, she helped to dust off the laundry powder on Jasper's
head.
"I'm fine. All's good as long as Lyse is fine."
Jasper noticed that Alyssa was being panicky and smiled slightly. He grabbed her cold hands and held onto them tightly. "Were
you afraid, Lyse? It seems like you've become more faint-hearted."
"I was afraid that you'd be hurt, silly!"
Alyssa was mad, and her heart ached for him at the same time. She landed a hard smack on his chest. "Did you think that I was
thinking about myself?"
Fortunately, what Gina had thrown was just a bag of laundry powder.
What if she had flung steel cookware or a brick? What if it was a kitchen knife? How could she not be afraid?
Jasper smiled with his eyes. Deep down, he was moved to see her care and love for him.
Then, he heard a loud slam from behind him. The door to the Madison family's home was shut tight in their faces.
Xavier was dejected. He sighed in extreme frustration, "I guess we were meant to return without success today, Mr. Beckett and
Madam. She didn't even intend to speak with us. Not even a little bit. Of all times, it had to be now. How aggressive."

Alyssa felt troubled. She massaged her throbbing temples and said, "We were very hopeful at first. Unfortunately, Josh exposed
the fact that I operated on David prematurely. That had ruined my image. Now, I am in cahoots with the Schmidts in the eyes of
the Madisons."
Immediately after, she laughed bitterly at herself, "Well... I can't really say that it ruined my image. I was indeed the one who
operated on David. I have really sided with the enemy this time."
"Don't say that, Lyse."
Jasper wrapped his arms around Alyssa. He looked at her with a gaze that was full of warmth and consolation.
"It is a doctor's duty to save lives. At that time, you were simply coming from a place of wanting to save a patient. There's also
not much you can do about other people's opinions.
"Moreover, the relationship between both your families hadn't turned awkward back then. David wasn't showing his true colors
yet either.
"In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with your decision at the time. It is not your fault even if anyone is now saying
otherwise."
Alyssa rested her forehead on his shoulder. She responded in a frustrated and disappointed voice, "Even so, what's the point
when we are the only ones who know what the situation was really like?
"I don't care about having a good reputation. However, without it, it would be a challenge to execute our plan now."
"It's alright. We'll take it one step at a time."
Jasper caressed her back gently and comforted her in a gentle voice, "Don't be discouraged. Try to look on the bright side. Let's
go back for now and think whether there are any other ways that we can go about this."
The trio had no other choice but to go back to the manor. It was already in the evening by the time they returned.
Jasper and Alyssa got out of the car, hand in hand. As they were about to enter the manor, they heard a soft and timid voice
coming from behind them.
"Lyse."