The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

Hot and Cold.

~ Lexi ~

What was his problem?

Honestly.

One minute he's pulling away like I've done something wrong just by getting close to him—

The next, he's watching me like I've betrayed him.

I let out a frustrated breath as I walked across the garden, my heels sinking slightly into the grass.

"Make up your mind, Jasper," I muttered under my breath.

Because I had tried.

I really had.

And he'd shut me down.

Completely.

So what exactly did he expect from me now?

—

I spotted him ahead, already halfway to the house.

"Jasper, wait!" I called, quickening my pace.

He didn't stop.

Didn't even slow down.

Typical.

"Jasper—wait!"

This time he stopped abruptly, turning just enough to look at me over his shoulder.

"What, Lexi?" he said, his tone clipped. "Shouldn't you be working?"

I blinked slightly, taken aback by the sharpness.

"I've finished, actually," I said, folding my arms lightly. "And I wanted to greet Lilly."

He held my gaze for a second.

Unreadable.

Then—

He turned and carried on walking.

Just like that.

No response.

No acknowledgement.

Nothing.

I stared after him for a second before shaking my head.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, following him anyway.

—

The house at the bottom of the garden was even more impressive up close.

Modern.

Spacious.

Beautifully designed.

You could tell thought had gone into it.

Care.

Something about that surprised me.

Jasper didn't seem like the kind of man who showed care so... visibly.

—

I stepped inside, and instantly—

Warmth.

Noise.

Life.

The complete opposite of the main house.

Lilly spotted me first.

"Lexi!" she beamed, pulling me straight into a hug.

I smiled, hugging her back.

"I've missed you," I said honestly.

"And this," she said, turning me slightly, "is my daughter, Lauren."

I smiled warmly.

"Hi, Lauren. It's lovely to finally meet you."