CHAPTER 4

Jacob’s jaw nearly dropped as his gaze landed on his estranged uncle, Asher, who hadn’t been in the country for years. 

His eyes flickered to how possessively Asher held Jasmine and a twinge of jealousy ignited in his chest, but he masked it with a strained smile.

“U-uncle, it’s been so long,” the tone of his voice was a complete contrast to how he truly felt. “When did you come back?”

Jacob’s blurt had alerted his other family members and they turned their attention towards Asher. 

Jacob’s mother and father, Richard and Laura Wayne, shared displeased glances with each other as they saw Asher, but they hid it with forced smiles.

 “Asher, little brother, you finally decided to return after being far away for so long,” Richard piped in a fake cheery voice from where he stood. “What’s it been…seven years?”

“It’s good to see you, Asher,” Laura added, her voice mirroring her husband’s. “Welcome back.”

Asher finally tore his gaze from a still astonished Jasmine, but kept his hand wrapped around her waist as his gaze swept over all his family members before stopping on Richard and Laura.

“There’s no need to pretend,” his voice came out blank and cold. “I know none of you are happy to see me. I’m only here to wish mother a happy birthday.”

Richard and Laura shifted on their feet, feeling uncomfortable with Asher’s icy gaze set on them. 

“Haha,” Richard’s chuckle came out more nervous than he intended as he noticed the attention of some of the guests had started to drift towards them.

 “What are you saying, brother? Of course we’re all glad to see you.”

“My father’s right, uncle,” Jacob interjected with gritted teeth as his gaze burned into Asher’s hand that still firmly held Jasmine’s waist. 

“We’re truly happy to see you. And I wouldn’t advise you to let her,” he gestured begrudgingly towards Jasmine, “get too close to you. She’s kind of a gold digger.”

“And a freeloader too,” Charlotte added with a slight edge to her voice. 

She couldn’t help but feel envious of how protective Asher was towards Jasmine. She hadn’t known Jacob had such a young, strikingly handsome uncle.

Asher raised a well carved brow at Jacob and Charlotte’s remarks, and he made no move to separate himself from Jasmine. 

“I don’t remember asking for your opinions,” he reiterated, making them fall silent in embarrassment.

“Jasmine,” her name smoothly rolled off his tongue as he turned to her, his eyes glistening with unspoken emotion. 

“I finally get to know your name, princess. You didn’t tell me last night.”

Jasmine's breath hitched, and her cheeks instantly reddened as she felt flustered under his intense gaze. 

“Please, don’t let anyone know about last night,” she whispered to him, her voice pleading as she didn’t want to incur more jabs from Jacob and Charlotte.

Unfortunately, Charlotte had caught onto Jasmine’s words, and her eyes gleamed with mischief as she sensed an opportunity to humiliate her.

“Omg!” she gasped a little too loudly. “Jasmine, did you really sleep with your ex-fiance's uncle after your break up? Are you that desperate to remain in the Wayne family?”

 Jasmine tensed and she instinctively stepped away from Asher, putting a few feet of distance between them. She nervously rubbed her exposed arms as she felt uncomfortable with the amount of eyes now fixed on her.

Some of the guests even began murmuring amongst themselves. 

“She’s so shameless!” Someone spat disdainfully.

“Girls like her are the worst!” Another chimed in. “They look innocent on the outside, but are vile on the inside.”

Jasmine bit her quivering lips to prevent herself from bursting into tears as the weight of the guests’ judgmental comments pressed down on her.

Jacob’s eyes flashed with rage, and his hands tightened into fists. 

“Jasmine, you cheap whore! You really threw yourself at my uncle after breaking off our engagement? I never knew you were this loose,” he said the last words in a voice tinged with feigned hurt as he tried to play the victim to further chastise Jasmine. 

 “Don’t worry, Jakey,” Charlotte cooed in exaggeration after catching up to his plan. “I’m here for you now. I’d never treat you as badly as my sister did.”

Laura’s eyes flashed with contempt as she turned to Jasmine, completely believing Jacob’s act. 

“You two-timing leech!” She spat, pointing an accusing finger at Jasmine. “How dare you betray my son? Out of all the beautiful girls he could have chosen, he settled for an ordinary one like you, and this is how you repay him?”

“Now I know why I’ve never liked you,” Richard added, his expression distasteful as he gave Jasmine a hard glare. “It’s clear we made a big mistake allowing you into our family.”

“Please don’t be mad, Mr and Mrs Wayne,” Charlotte mustered in a honey-coated voice as she approached them.

 “You don’t have to waste your energy on her anymore. I promise to take care of Jacob so well that he won’t even remember that Jasmine existed.”

Laura’s anger melted into a warm smile as she turned to Charlotte. “What a beautiful and well-behaved girl you are,” she took Charlotte’s hand in hers. “I wish Jacob got engaged to you instead.”

Charlotte’s heart swelled as she basked in Laura’s praises. “It’s not too late for that, mother,” she smiled demurely, then quickly covered her mouth in feigned modesty. “Oh, I’m sorry. Can I call you mother?”

“Well of course you can, my dear,” Laura gushed, patting Charlotte’s hand. “From now on, you’re part of our family. Isn’t that right, Jacob?”

“Yes, mother,” Jacob smoothly agreed, and spared Jasmine a taunting smirk before approaching his mother and Charlotte.

 “Infact, I'd like to make it official right now,” he declared as he retrieved a small velvet box from his pocket. Opening the box, he brought out a stunning diamond ring.

“This is the ring I proposed to Jasmine with,” he showed it off so everyone could have a view as he spared Jasmine another glance. 

“But she broke my heart by calling off our engagement. So now, I’ll give it to the woman who actually deserves it.”

The hall was filled with gasps as Jacob went down on one knee before Charlotte. “Charlotte, would you marry me?” He asked with exaggerated affection as he held the ring out to her.

Charlotte gasped dramatically, covering her mouth as though she had been taken by surprise. 

“Please, say yes, my dear,” Laura encouraged her with a warm expression.

“Yes, Charlotte. You’re a perfect match for our Jacob. Don’t refuse,” Richard added.

Charlotte smiled triumphantly as her gaze darted smugly towards Jasmine before she turned back to Jacob. 

“Yes, Jacob. I’ll marry you,” she finally exclaimed, extending her hand, and the guests applauded in cheers as Jacob slid the ring down her finger.

A huge lump formed in Jasmine’s throat, and the tears that she had been struggling to hold back, fell freely down her face as she watched Jacob betray her all over again.

She turned to leave as she became desperate to escape the humiliation, but Asher gently grabbed her arm and shook his head, stopping her.

He had noticed her despair, and his heartstrings tugged in concern. Unable to keep seeing her in that state, his expression became stormy as he turned to his family members. 

“Sorry to interrupt the love birds,” the sarcasm in his voice was loud and clear enough to draw all attention to him. “but I have an announcement of my own.”

The air was thick with curiosity as Asher entwined his fingers with Jasmine’s and raised it up to his lips, causing her breath to hitch.

“This beautiful woman here is the love of my life. And I intend to marry her.”