Twisted Fates: A Game of Love and Retribution

Rachel Foster stirred awake in the expansive bed of the hotel, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Miss Foster, you're awake?"

She slowly sat up, looking confusedly at the server standing by the bed. "Where am I?"

The server smiled. "This is the Crescent Moon Hotel."

Rachel suddenly became fully alert, glancing around the room.

The server asked, "Did you sleep well last night, Miss Foster?"

Rachel paused, pulling back the covers to check herself. Her pajamas were intact, indicating she hadn't been dreaming. She vaguely remembered what Kingsly had said to her last night, but how did she fall asleep?

The server answered her unspoken question. "Mr. Scott specifically asked me to use a rose scent that aids sleep, saying he wanted you to rest well."

Is that so? No wonder she slept so soundly and felt so refreshed upon waking.

"When did Mr. Scott leave last night?" she asked.

The server smiled. "Mr. Scott left after you fell asleep. He instructed us to let you sleep until you woke up naturally. It's now cleaning time, so I knocked and disturbed you."

"Oh..." Rachel rubbed her forehead. "What time is it now?"

"It's already nine o'clock, Miss Foster."

"Nine?"

Rachel exclaimed, jumping out of bed. The court session starts at nine...

--

Just as Rachel finished dressing, her phone rang from inside her bag. Seeing the name displayed on the screen, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Jasper?"

"It's me."

Rachel was overjoyed, not having heard his familiar and pleasant voice for days. "Where are you? At the courthouse? I'm on my way..."

Jasper chuckled. "Silly... I'm right near you."

"Right near?"

"Open the door and see."

Baffled, Rachel walked to the door and opened it. In the next instant, she saw Jasper standing at the doorway, and she froze.

"Rachel."

Jasper smiled at her, looking a bit thinner but spirited. He opened his arms, waiting for her embrace.

Rachel stared dazedly at Jasper, her eyes gradually reddening, before rushing into his arms, holding him tightly.

Jasper also wrapped his arms tightly around her, contentedly closing his eyes.

"I missed you so much..." Rachel's voice was choked as she leaned against Jasper, breathing in his comforting scent.

Jasper gently rubbed Rachel's slightly trembling shoulders, kissing her cheek. "Me too. The days without seeing you were unbearable."

After a long while, Rachel slowly lifted her eyes from Jasper's embrace, gazing deeply into his with tear-stained eyes. "Am I dreaming right now?"

Jasper shook his head with a smile, holding her close. "You're not dreaming. The court has withdrawn the charges against me."

Rachel's eyes widened in disbelief.

Jasper smiled again. "I owe my safe return to you. Thank you for all the trouble you've gone through for me these days... Money is nothing, but I'm sorry for making you humble yourself to seek help from Kingsly Scott." Jasper pulled Rachel back into his arms, holding her tightly and resting contentedly on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'll never let you suffer again."

"Huh?..." Rachel was a bit confused by what Jasper said.