The vibrant colors of the blooming flowers in the Liberty Gardens Zoo faded under the relentless rain. Jasmine hoped the downpour would soon stop so they could continue their adventure.“The weather is truly unpredictable,” Mr. Harper remarked, his eyes following the falling raindrops.Jasmine nodded resignedly. “Yes, it’s really unfortunate.”Seeing Jasmine’s disappointment, Mr. Harper tried to comfort her. “But at least you got to see the penguins up close. What did you think? Did they live up to your expectations?”Jasmine’s eyes lit up. “I never imagined they’d be even cuter in real life!”“What makes you so fond of penguins?” Mr. Harper asked curiously.Jasmine thought for a moment, then with an expression full of admiration, she said, “Have you ever seen the movie ‘Happy Feet’? That movie made me feel so happy and moved, and it made me want to see penguins in person one day.”“Oh, I’ve heard of it,” Mr. Harper replied, trying to recall.“Thank you, Mr. Harper, for inviting me he
Jasmine’s heart pounded hard. Although it wasn’t the first time she wore Mr. Hawthorne’s shirt, her nervousness was so palpable. She didn’t even dare to look at Mr. Hawthorne, who was leaning back with his eyes closed. “Are you done?” Mr. Hawthorne asked. Jasmine nodded slowly. “Hmm...” Mr. Hawthorne opened his eyes and released his clasped hands. His gaze landed on Jasmine, who was wearing a maroon shirt. The bottom hem of the shirt revealed a bit of her right thigh, showing off her glowing skin. Even though he was tempted, he held himself back from touching her, then silently started the car engine and continued driving. Jasmine cast a glance at Mr. Hawthorne, who was wearing a black shirt. The shirt that matched hers piqued her curiosity—why did Mr. Hawthorne bring two shirts? “Do you always carry a spare shirt when you go out?” Mr. Hawthorne remained focused on driving, pondering the real reason why he always kept a change of clothes in the car. The shirts were always maroon
Jasmine sat alone in her room, lost in thought. The memory of the moment she was startled to find a little girl upstairs was still fresh. They both froze in place until a scream pierced the silence. At that moment, Mr. Hawthorne and the woman Jasmine assumed to be his wife appeared.The sound of the door opening echoed, forcing Jasmine to quickly wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks.“I asked them to wait,” Mr. Hawthorne said. “Now, explain to me the reason for your tears.”The tears that had been held back began to fall again, and Jasmine wiped her eyes repeatedly. “You’re married and have a child,” she whispered, her voice trembling.“Yes, I won’t deny it.”Jasmine closed her eyes for a moment, trying to hold back the pain creeping into her chest. “You can’t keep me here any longer. They’ll be very disappointed in you. Please, let me go,” she pleaded, her voice filled with sadness.“So, your tears are because I’m married and have a child, and you feel like you’re the reason
The restraint of feelings was finally released.In the silence broken only by the whisper of the wind, their love blossomed, mingling in increasingly intense kisses. With one hand, Mr. Hawthorne still controlling the back of Jasmine’s head, and the other arm wrapped around her back, their tongues entwined tightly, merging in soft, stimulating movements. The passion continued to rise, especially for Mr. Hawthorne, who had long been unfulfilled in his predatory instincts.As Mr. Hawthorne moved the kiss from her lips to her neck, Jasmine reflexively tilted her head back, making her more aware of the hand that still supported her head. In that moment, Jasmine opened her eyes, faced with the mesmerizing night sky.The pleasure from the passionate touch on her neck made Jasmine bite her lip. The hand that had been around her back slowly descended, tracing her waist before turning her body and laying her back on the sun lounge.Seeing Mr. Hawthorne’s face far above hers, regulating his brea
Mr. Hawthorne was startled by a touch on his back, accompanied by Lilly’s loud voice. The tension in the room immediately escalated as they lay close together in the office. Jasmine quickly buried herself under the blanket, hoping her presence wouldn’t be discovered. Mr. Hawthorne turned his body to see Lilly looking upset. “Daddy, why are you sleeping here? Lilly’s all alone!” she exclaimed with a disappointed tone. “Sorry, Daddy accidentally fell asleep while working last night,” Mr. Hawthorne said as he slowly stood up. The movement of the blanket, which could reveal her hiding place, prompted Jasmine to quickly shift, hiding behind Mr. Hawthorne’s back, seeking protection from Lilly’s gaze. Mr. Hawthorne noticed this movement but chose to ignore it, understanding that they were in a situation that needed to be hidden from Lilly. Mr. Hawthorne’s eyes were drawn to the clothes scattered on the floor, it seemed Lilly hadn’t yet noticed their situation. However, he couldn’t leave
Mr. Vanderbilt’s cheek was pressed against the table, his head throbbing from the forceful grip. The words that escaped his twisted lips were barely intelligible. He had tried to break free, but his opponent’s strength was undeniable.“I gave you a chance, waited for you to apologize, but you never did?!” Mr. Hawthorne spat with deep hatred.His grip tightened, showing no concern if Mr. Vanderbilt’s head would indeed merge with the table. “Should I separate your brain from your head so you can see for yourself how disgusting your actions are?”A flash of concern appeared in Theodore’s eyes as Mr. Hawthorne reached into his jacket. He intervened, “Sorry, Mr. Hawthorne, but I believe it’s inappropriate to do this here.”Despite the fiery rage within him, Mr. Hawthorne barely restrained himself from pulling out his firearm. He straightened up, not removing his sharp gaze from his target.Mr. Vanderbilt quickly hugged Mr. Hawthorne’s legs, trying to calm the situation. “I realize you’re n
Turning his back on Tristan, who was being carried by Theodore and the driver, Mr. Hawthorne walked toward the car. The ringing of his phone made him pause momentarily, just as he watched Tristan being placed in the trunk.His hand slipped into the pocket of his suit jacket, pulling out the phone. His expression turned serious and displeased as the name “Mr. Harper” flashed on the screen.He answered the call and said, “You still have the nerve to contact Jasmine.”“You ...?! Why is Jasmine’s phone in your hands?”“Because we were making love, and your call interrupted our moment.”“I don’t believe you.”“You need to stop contacting her.”“I have no reason to stop reaching out to her. You should be the one to let go of Jasmine before things get more complicated.”Mr. Hawthorne sneered. “Your threats don’t affect me.”“You’ll regret this,” Mr. Harper replied, his voice filled with anger.Realizing that the conversation was futile, Mr. Hawthorne ended the call and immediately blocked Mr
In the quiet room, Jasmine meticulously fixed each strand of her hair. She paused for a moment, allowing her thoughts to drift to the message she had received last night from Prof. Sullivan. Although she didn’t want to meet after the betrayal she had suffered, it was important for her to resolve the matters between them.With determination etched in her heart, Jasmine steeled herself and descended to the lower floor. As she walked through the living room, she saw Mr. Hawthorne and Lilly engrossed in playful banter while the television was on.The memories of the previous night sneaked into Jasmine’s mind, pulling her back to that intimate moment in the living room with Mr. Hawthorne. The sofa bore silent witness to everything they had done.Her reverie was interrupted by Lilly’s scream. “Aunty!” In a panic, she ran toward Jasmine for protection. “Daddy’s turned into a monster!”“Monster?”Jasmine tried to understand Lilly’s panic. Before she could react, Mr. Hawthorne suddenly grabbed
Mr. Hawthorne calmly scrolled through Jasmine’s phone, briefly playing one video before swiping to the next. Each passing second made Jasmine increasingly anxious.Their eyes met as Mr. Hawthorne raised an eyebrow, his gaze making Jasmine feel the heat rise to her face. The intense embarrassment made her feel small in front of him.“So, you’ve been into adult video all this time?”Jasmine looked at Mr. Hawthorne with clear frustration. “I already told you, it was from Dr. Lawson as part of a therapeutic method. Dr. Lawson said that if I got accustomed to it, my trauma would fade, replaced by desire.”Mr. Hawthorne placed the phone on the nightstand and turned to Jasmine. “Am I not enough to make you desire me?”“Not at all. You’re physically perfect; no woman would be disinterested in being intimate with you. Your touch is always satisfying and thrilling. I just needed to get used to it so that my traumatic memories would completely disappear. But don’t worry, I haven’t watched it any
As Jasmine was engaged in conversation with Mr. Harper, the door suddenly swung open, revealing Mr. Hawthorne standing in the doorway, leaning casually with a stance that seemed almost challenging.“I’ll continue packing my things,” Mr. Harper said, his tone calm but nearly disingenuous.Jasmine quickly stepped toward Mr. Hawthorne and whispered, “I told you I’d be the one to talk to Mr. Harper. Why did you come anyway?”Mr. Hawthorne crossed his arms over his chest. Without lowering his voice, he replied, “I was just curious why my girlfriend was taking so long.”Mr. Harper, busy packing, paused momentarily. He forced himself to believe that what he had just heard was merely an illusion.“There’s nothing to worry about. Jasmine and I were just discussing her studies.”Mr. Hawthorne smirked. “I’m sure you were. But I think your conversation is over.”Jasmine tried to diffuse the growing tension. “Mr. Harper, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”Mr. Harper smiled gently, thoug
Jasmine ended the call and sighed as she stared at her phone screen. “I can’t let him come here,” she muttered to herself. “Everyone’s talking about working at Kins Enterprises after graduation. If they see the owner here, it’ll cause a commotion. That would be troublesome.”She put her phone away and started down the corridor again. Just as she was nearing Mr. Harper’s office, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist. When she saw who it was, she was startled—it was Sabrina.Sabrina was wearing a hoodie and a face mask, her eyebrows furrowed as if she were angry. When Jasmine tried to pull away, Sabrina tightened her grip.Sabrina glared at her, her voice full of menace. “We need to talk, Jasmine. Now.”“About what? I’m in a hurry.”“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I know you’re involved with Kinsley Hawthorne. Do you think you can use him to get ahead here?”“Let go of me!”Sabrina ignored her plea and dragged Jasmine to a secluded corner behind the campus building. There, Sabrina pulled do
Jasmine sat nervously in Dr. Lawson’s office, recounting her concerns. Dr. Lawson listened attentively, then opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small object.“This...?” Jasmine eyed the object with hesitation.Dr. Lawson nodded confidently. “From what you’ve described, I believe you’re pregnant.”“P—pregnant? Me?”Dr. Lawson smiled. “Yes, but you should confirm it with this pregnancy test, though I’m already one hundred percent sure that my assumption is correct.”Jasmine took the test from him, looking at it with a mix of emotions. She had never expected Dr. Lawson’s conclusion to be pregnancy; she thought she was just sick.Am I really pregnant? She wondered.Amid her anxiety, a thought crossed her mind. She shifted her gaze from the small object in her hand to Dr. Lawson, then asked curiously, “Do all the doctors in this hospital keep pregnancy tests in their desk drawers?”Dr. Lawson was momentarily stunned, then grinned. “Do you really want to know the answer?”“That’s
Behind Mr. Hawthorne’s calm demeanor, there was a fire of desire struggling to be tamed. That fire consumed every bit of rationality he had. Every glance, every touch, was fuel that intensified the flames within him, forcing him to constantly battle against the burning desire.“Earlier, you walked toward me like a newly blossomed flower, tempting me to touch you,” Mr. Hawthorne said in a hoarse voice, his hand trailing down Jasmine’s back, slowly following the path of her dress’s zipper. “I’ve restrained myself throughout my recovery, and now I feel like I’ve reached the limits of my patience.”“But you just got out of the hospital not long ago. Can’t you hold off a bit longer for the sake of your recovery? W—we can do this after you’ve fully healed.”Jasmine’s eyes darted to the side, feeling the zipper of her dress slowly being pulled down. “Dr. Lawson also said you shouldn’t exert yourself too much.”Jasmine held onto Mr. Hawthorne’s arm, hoping to quell his rising desire. But her
Soft music flowed from the corner of the room, setting the mood for the indoor wedding reception. Jasmine walked gracefully, her peach-colored silk gown fluttering with every step. Guests whispered among themselves, their eyes glued to her elegant figure.Jasmine’s gaze soon met Mr. Hawthorne’s, who stood outside the room, clearly visible through the large windows. She hesitated for a moment, realizing that his gaze was just as intense as those of the other guests. Her heart pounded faster, though she tried hard to remain composed.Steeling herself, Jasmine stepped outside and approached Mr. Hawthorne.“Natalie’s still getting ready. Lilly’s very keen on staying with her, so I didn’t bring her here.”Mr. Hawthorne had already pulled out a cigarette when Jasmine started speaking. He lit it with a nonchalant air, as if Natalie’s and Milton’s wedding was not something worth his attention.“Kinsley,” Jasmine called out.After a brief moment of contemplation, Mr. Hawthorne shifted his gaze
Mr. Hawthorne lay in bed, surrounded by medical equipment monitoring his every heartbeat and breath. The gunshot wound in his chest still ached, even though he had been unconscious for weeks.A knock on the door interrupted the quiet of the late morning. Theodore entered, followed by two police officers in dark blue uniforms, their faces serious. They approached Mr. Hawthorne, looking at him with investigative eyes.“Good morning, Mr. Hawthorne,” one of the officers said. “We’re here to ask you a few brief questions about the incident at Dominic Merrick’s company.”Mr. Hawthorne took a deep breath. “Of course. What would you like to know?”“Can you describe the sequence of events at Dominic Merrick’s company, from the beginning until you were injured?”Assisted by Theodore, Mr. Hawthorne began recounting the events. The police officer listened intently, occasionally jotting something down in his small notebook.After about fifteen minutes, the officers realized that Mr. Hawthorne need
Jasmine stood in the cold, brightly lit hospital corridor, her emotions in turmoil. From a distance, she could only watch as Dr. Lawson argued with a nurse stationed at the emergency room door.“I need to be in there! I can’t just stand here.”“I’m sorry, Dr. Lawson, but you’re not in the right emotional state to be part of this operation.”The nurse arguing with Dr. Lawson suddenly reached into her uniform pocket and pulled something out. From her vantage point, Jasmine couldn’t see clearly what the nurse handed over.Dr. Lawson immediately turned around, his steps full of emotion as he approached Theodore, who was standing not far away. Dr. Lawson shoved the item roughly into Theodore’s chest. Jasmine only realized what was given when the object slipped from Dr. Lawson’s grasp—a pistol encased in clear plastic.“What’s the meaning of this, Theodore?! Kinsley brought his weapon, but why is he so badly injured? He’s never been hurt this badly before. What if he can’t be saved? You sho
The tension and worry suffocated every corner of the room. Jasmine’s heartbeat quickened as Mr. Merrick pointed a gun directly at her.“Mr. Merrick, you can’t do this to my daughter!” Thomas shouted, a mix of fear and anger boiling in his chest.Mr. Merrick sneered, his aim unwavering. “Why can’t I? This is my chance. Kinsley Hawthorne will feel my pain if your daughter disappears.” He tightened his grip on the gun and continued, “You just need to choose who I should take out first—your father or the man you love.”Jasmine shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please, don’t hurt them,” she pleaded, her voice trembling almost to the point of inaudibility.“Then walk over here. Now!” Mr. Merrick barked.Jasmine was about to follow Mr. Merrick’s order, but Mr. Hawthorne’s hand, still holding hers, seemed to refuse to let her go.“I’ll count to three. If you’re still there, I’ll shoot,” Mr. Merrick threatened.“Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you,” Mr. Hawthorne said, his v