She hadn't expected Jasper to come back.
His eyes went red the instant he saw the ransacked apartment. He grabbed the suitcase from her hands, his voice cracking. "Where are you going?"
Hilda's voice was hoarse, scraped raw. "Jasper, let's break up."
"No. No, no, baby, why would you suddenly want to break up?"
Tears flooded Jasper's eyes. He seized her hands, gripping them so hard his knuckles went white.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Work's had me tied up these past few days and I neglected you. Don't hold it against me, please?"
"Hit me if you want. Scream at me. I'll get on my knees right now. Just don't break up with me, okay?"
He pulled her into his arms, rambling about how terrified he'd been when her phone wouldn't go through.
"Jasper." Her voice cut through his noise. "Have you ever actually thought about marrying me?"
He froze. Something panicked flashed through his eyes before he could hide it.
"How could I not want to marry you? Our wedding is a week away!"
He pressed her hand flat against his chest. "Hilda, did someone feed you lies? Is that what this is about?"