Chapter 113

Joshua kept encouraging her until, after some time, Jasmine finally gave in with a small nod. She picked up her fork and took a few reluctant bites. She picked at her food slowly, more to appease Joshua than from any real appetite. When she couldn't stomach another bite, she scrambled for a way to change the subject. "So, Mr. Sutton, what brings you to the hospital today?" she asked. Joshua wavered for just a second before answering honestly. "Whitney was hurt because of me. I owe it to her to take care of her." His muscles tightened as he studied Jasmine's reaction, dreading her anger or a misunderstanding. Just as he feared, she went completely silent at his words. A tense quiet stretched between them in the hospital room. Joshua's chest tightened. "Don't get the wrong idea. There's nothing between us. I could never be with her." He sounded sincere, and his eyes never left hers, as if he could will her to believe him. Jasmine saw the desperation in him and paused. Then a soft