As he spoke, he pulled a necklace from his pocket, identical to hers. "See? I carry it with me everywhere."
"Grandma wanted us to be happy together. Hilda, please don't be angry anymore."
Hilda held out her hand to him.
Joy surged through Jasper. He thought she'd softened. But the next second, the smile froze on his face.
"Jasper, give me back the necklace my grandmother gave you."
"It was something she left for me and the person I love. Seeing it in your hands now just makes me sick."
Jasper fought against it, clinging to her as he sank to his knees on the pavement, stripped of every shred of pride.
"Hilda, you're just saying that because you're angry, right? Hilda, you promised me. You promised you'd never break up with me."
"Please, I'm begging you, don't leave me."
But Hilda didn't flinch. A flash of revulsion crossed her face, and it cut through Jasper like a blade.
He'd been born with a silver spoon. He'd never wanted for anything his entire life. Women lined up at the crook of his finger. What Hilda had, countless others would kill for. Why couldn't she just let this go?
He shot to his feet, his voice dropping, edged with fury.
"Hilda, why can't you try to understand me?"
"You keep saying you want a wedding. Of course I want to give you one, but I can't! I have parents too. I have responsibilities!"
"I've already promised you that you're the only woman I'll ever love. Why won't you just believe me?"
Hilda didn't hear a word. Her voice was flat, mechanical. "Give it back."
Jasper's jaw clenched so tight the muscle twitched. He let out a cold laugh, then hurled the necklace into the busy road.
"No!"
Hilda screamed and lunged toward the traffic. Jasper yanked her back hard.
"Hilda, I'll say it again. I love you. I can give you everything except the title. If you won't think about yourself, at least think about your grandmother."
"I'll be waiting for your answer. Just say yes, and the wedding goes ahead next week as planned."
Then he got in his car and drove off without looking back.
Hilda was stubborn. She never backed down. He'd have to find another way to make her bend.
Jasper dialed his secretary.
"Cut off the medical funding. Transfer her grandmother to a standard ward. Don't do anything else unless I say so."