The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

Find her.

~ Jasper ~

I'd seen the emails.

Not intentionally.

Not at first.

But once I realised what they were—

I read them.

Every single one.

Her new number.

Given to him.

Not to me.

I stared at the screen for longer than I should have, something tight settling in my chest.

"Right," I muttered quietly.

That was deliberate.

She wanted distance.

And I couldn't blame her.

Still—

That didn't mean I was going to sit back and do nothing.

I picked up my phone and dialled Garry.

He answered immediately.

"Garry."

"Sir."

"I'm sending you a number. I want it tracked. Live location. As fast as possible."

A pause.

"Understood. I'll forward everything to you."

Garry didn't ask questions.

That's why I kept him.

An hour felt like three.

I didn't sit.

Didn't work.

Just waited.

Then my phone buzzed.

Tracking received.

I looked down at the location.

A charity event.

Of course.

Dale.

Public.

Busy.

Safe.

I exhaled slowly, nodding once to myself.

"Fine."

Still—

Something didn't sit right.

Not enough to act on.

But enough to notice.

I text Paul.

Keep eyes on Miss Dover. Discreet. No interference unless necessary.

His reply came quickly.

Understood.

That should have been enough.

It usually was.

I forced myself to step away from it, heading out into the garden toward Lilly's new house.

Normal.

Routine.

Something to keep my mind occupied.

I knocked once.

"Come in, Jasper!" Lilly called.

I stepped inside, the noise hitting me instantly.

Children.

Laughter.