11"Are you okay?" The girl was at Jasmine's side at once. She crouched down and helped her sit straight and placed some worn out and smelly cushions under her back."You were profusely bleeding and your.... Dress was completely dirty. So I removed it and wiped your body with a sponge." She said as she sat with her tattooed legs tucked under her and went on, "And then I dressed your wounds. You also had a raging fever so I called a doctor to take a look at you.""A doctor?" Jasmine's eyes widened.She was a patient who escaped from a hospital. Having a doctor come over to see her meant danger."Yeah, but don't worry. I've changed your clothes before that and destroyed your hospital dress. Besides, the doctor was from a local clinic. So you need not worry."Jasmine heaved in relief. She looked around the room and the girl noticed."I know it's not that good but this is all I could afford on my own." The warmth of her smile echoed in her voice.Speechless, as that's not what Jasmine was
12She took a nap and when she woke up, it was evening. Birdie was moving around in the kitchen. Jasmine realized she was able to get up without feeling excruciating pain. The meds were working. "Hey," She greeted Jasmine in the kitchen which was a corner in the apartment. "Good evening. How are you feeling now?" "Amazing, all thanks to you." "Happy to hear that. Why don't you go and wash your face and hands, Jas. I made some soup for you.""Thank you." Jasmine obeyed and joined Birdie for their snack cum dinner. The girl skipped three days of work because of her. Whatever they had in stock was supposed to be their meal unless she resumed working again. The following night was pretty silent as Birdie was tired. She fell asleep earlier. However, Jasmine was left staring at the ceiling. Because Birdie couldn't sleep in the light, they switched all the lights off to meet her requirements. Although Jasmine preferred to keep a night bulb on as complete darkness left her feeling unset
13"Oh my god! What a surprise, baby!" Birdie squealed and squeezed the man on the door in her arms while Jasmine stared at the two enveloping each other, smiling and swirling around."I missed you so much, Birdie. I had a dream that you were in danger. So... You see, I had to ask for a quick leave and come here.""Not that I was far away! My boss was kind enough to give me some days with you." The man said happily, lifting Birdie and kissing her hair.His stubbled face was weighed down with weariness. In his eyes, Jasmine saw exhaustion. They were red as if he had not had sleep for a week. But that's how he always looked. Jasmine knew that because he was HENRY, the person who delivered vegetables and fresh fruits at her marital house she shared with Vince.He was in his mid twenties, a man who did his job seriously. Not to forget to mention that he had always been kind to Jasmine. After all, Jasmine was the one who always showed him the way to the kitchen to bring the vegetable and fr
14He came inside, patted Birdie on the back and she stepped into the kitchen to make some coffee. Meanwhile Henry came towards Jasmine and sat down on the floor."But you see, we are a broke couple. Our house is hardly any bigger than the size of your shower room.... And my girlfriend is naive. She's an emotional fool and easily gets fooled by people. My worry is justified, isn't it?""Please, forget what I said earlier and feel like you're home. I assure you that you are safe here. Be comfortable and don't mind my presence. Assume that I never came."Jasmine warily moved back onto the couch, suddenly feeling sweaty. Henry's changed demeanor caused her body to throb. Her ears began to blare with a beep sound while her heart began to jump up and down. His complete change in attitude seemed like those peaceful minutes before the arrival of chaos."No thanks, Henry. I don't want to cause any more trouble than there already is. I will leave in the evening—""Oh, no, you are not. Mrs. Gar
15Both Birdie and Jasmine froze in terror as they saw a man in a dark suit, hands casually in his pockets, leaning against the corridor wall behind Henry."Vince," Moisture gathered in the corner of Jasmine's eyes as her lips trembled. All the energy in her evaporated. Jasmine just stood there, speechless. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. The sound of his approaching footsteps echoed like a clap of thunder, resonating through the air like a sonic boom. "Hi, wifey!" Vince waved a hand at her with a smirk. He used to be an extremely handsome man when Jasmine fell in love with him. His curly blonde hair added to his charm. His gray eyes were captivating and seemed to sparkle with warmth. His features appeared strong and well-defined, giving him a hot yet refined look. And when he used to smile earlier, his whole face used to light up, making him even more attractive. But now... The same blonde curly hair seemed overly styled. His gray eyes looked dull and lifeless. His feat
16"We're sorry, sir. We looked everywhere we could to find your patient. But the woman has seemed to vanish to nowhere. There are no clips of her other than the one captured in the hospital's CCTV footage." Kyle swallowed the angry remarks building in his throat as his piercing dark eyes roved over Titus' face. His secretary looked terrified. He pulled on the collar of his shirt to allow cool air to graze his hot neck. Sweat beads trickled under his throat as he tried not to look fazed in front of his boss. "But do not worry, sir, the investigation squad is looking for her ceaselessly. I'll let you know if I find any clue." Kyle's dropping gaze indicated that Titus was permitted to leave. But as he stepped out, Kyle eased out of his cold demeanor. The mask of stoicism he wore cracked, letting confusion and frustration shine through. He leaned back in his chair and rocked sideways as a sigh escaped from deep in his chest. "Christ!" He ran his hands on his face before his eyes cam
17She saw his throat work, and the muscles around his neck ripple as he tried to reign in his emotions. "I will not tolerate such language from you, Lila Calvin! Be careful next time." "But if you want me to discipline you like your brother, do it again and you'll know." The low, husky warning in his voice urged her to make some more dirty comments so he would be inclined to punish her. Usually Kyle and her didn't have such a conversation. He didn't like it. Although he was a reputed Casanova in the country, he strangely behaved like a gentleman around her. After all, Lila was like a sister. Could a brother ever speak with his sister about someone trying to get into her pants? Even the thought of such conversation made Kyle's face twist in exasperation. However, Lila enjoyed pushing his buttons and thus continuously brought it up, knowing too well about his cold reaction. She also did it because she devoured his expressive side. Kyle, with all those expressions on his 'too damn
18A low burning, anger smoldered within Kyle. He clenched his jaw to the point that he was afraid it might snap. But there was nothing he could do to erase those memories. His childhood was marred by the trauma inflicted by his parents' decision; and everything that went wrong in his life, including his mother's leave and her abandoning him, was because of his father. After everything Karson Panther put his son through, how could he expect him to forget and forgive, and attend a dinner with his new family? Kyle sniggered outrageously. He hadn't had dinner with his father and his new family since they arrived in his life— which calculated to twenty years. He was determined to maintain his record of not showing up even today. The elevator opened with a ding and he stepped out sternly. He started walking faster which put Lila in a tight spot because she had to literally run after him to catch up in her long heels. When they arrived in the parking lot, Lila firmly restrained his arm
59Jasmine mentally facepalmed and held her breath. She cursed herself for saying that. "W-why don't you come and sit down? I'll serve you food."His dark eyes suggested that he was in for a playful conversation. Nevertheless, her pink face made him sigh and let it be. The woman had never given him anything but sharp words in her right mind. This had to be a mistake.Kyle sank in his chair. He subtly lifted his eyebrows in surprise at the swan he saw in his plate. Since he heard their conversation, he called Mari over and said, "This is lovely, Mari. Perhaps, you should teach this to Lila someday." "S-sure, sir. And thank you." He stayed quiet while Jasmine served food on his plate. There were a variety of dishes. Each one smelled delicious. After Jasmine was done giving a portion of each to him, she folded her hands and stood beside him with hopeful expression. "Aren't you going to join me?" Kyle frowned. "I'll..." Jasmine took a deep breath. "Thanks. But Mari, Jojo and I will ea
58Ruby collapsed on the floor as tears left her eyes. Fear, the likes of which she had never known, consumed her. Kyle's threats reverberated in her ears, making her mind to conjure the images; and damn, they caused her belly to surge with intolerable fright. "H-he knows about my secret. He knows Tania is my biological daughter! H-he will use her to punish me. M-my daughter, my beautiful daughter... S-she..." Ruby trailed off as she shook her head. She slapped her cheeks to regain her senses and cleaned her face. Kyle might have threatened her, he wouldn't do anything if she got him whatever he wanted from Karson."He spoke about a sign. I should have been concerned if he had shown interest in Karson’s property. What issues can arise from signing non-inheritance related documents?" She told to herself. If one sign can get Kyle Panther off her back and away from their lives, she would do it at any cost. Because Kyle Panther had nothing to lose if he didn't get that sign. But she w
57"Oh, but I'm still your husband's only legitimate heir. Who do you think his property will go to if I file for it?" His voice was cold and exact. Ruby was caught off guard and rendered speechless. She hated the fact that the test of time had steeled the boy she bullied for entertainment into a fierce, cunning and ruthless man with no weakness. She shuddered on the inside, realizing that she had no leverage over him. She couldn't hurt a single hair strand on his head now. The boy had indeed grown up to be the devil himself. "Y-you won't dare. You voluntarily walked out of the house and refused your father's provision when you were a child. You have no right to demand anything. The law will never allow it." She tried to act strong. But Kyle saw through her fear. She knew as much as he did that nothing was impossible for him. He had law in his back pocket. Law was like a stress ball in his hand that he squeezed and unsqueezed as he liked. "That's what you think? Haha, age is real
56"Your mother was a gone case. She may have been a successful businesswoman, she lacked trust and perseverance! Other women in her spot would fight to hold their family and relationships together. But your mom— that narcissistic woman preferred to leave her husband and son for the sake of her so-called dignity." She took another sip and sniggered. "And then what? She died a painful death in isolation with no one to look after her." Kyle's body stiffened as all the blood rushed to his head.He didn't exactly know how painful Sophia's death was, but he was aware that she had cancer. She discovered it when it was already the last stage. "It's no fun talking about her! She left too soon. I didn't even get to see her properly.""But you were there for a while, weren't you? Why don't we relive some of the old time? We had so much fun, after all." She grinned while Kyle's face became white as memories flooded back to his mind. "You've turned into a meek little boy who always cried after
55Kyle was wrapping up for the day. He had an online conference and it just got over five minutes ago. He was sitting with his head resting on his hands on the desk as he kept his eyes closed to relax himself before preparing to leave. Sun was half set, painting the world with a red and orange hue. Shadows of the buildings outside the window grew bigger on the ground while the birds returning to their nests squawked. Kyle had slipped into a slumber but a knock on the door sounded and he sat up straight. As he ran his hands on his face, Titus trudged towards the desk with a somber look. His eyebrows were drawn together and it could be seen that he had a file in his hands— one that he clutched tightly with his fingers. Kyle observed that look and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you look like someone asked for one of your kidneys from you?" He attempted to joke but there was no shift in his PA's expression. He nervously placed the file he was holding onto the desk, and slid it towards h
54Mari had to lie as she was told, and her employer believed because his guest did fall in his presence on the first night she was brought home. "Maybe you're right." Jasmine said, breaking her trance. "I did fall that night but my entire body was buzzing with pain back then, so I didn't notice.""But if you look at it, it seems like I've been pinched!" "No!" Mari almost screamed. "I... I mean, you're overthinking, miss.""Haha, you're right. But I won't be surprised if my husband's mistress did this to me in the hospital while I was sedated." "Is she really that cruel?" Mari meekly asked. For her, no one was crueler than Lila. She was unbeatable and could wear the crown of the concerned title eternally. “You sound like you know someone who is worse than my husband's mistress!” Jasmine smirked. “Don't ask me about them! They can battle with the devil and come back unscathed. They possess a level of cruelty that could potentially cripple even the devil.” Mari exaggerated with wide
53"Can you forgive me, miss?" Mari batted her lashes in remorse. "What for?""For overwhelming you with my stupid assumptions! You've been severely hurt by your husband and I can see that you're struggling to get over the pain of his betrayal, and by wrongly assuming there was something between you and my boss, I probably put you in a miserable position and triggered your anxiety.""No, I'm okay." Jasmine lied. "Being mistreated by one man and then learning that another is interested in you while you're still healing— sounds painfully agonizing to me. And it's not okay! I truly feel pathetic. Please, forgive me." "Well, I'll forgive you if you help me fill my stomach." Jasmine pouted cutely. "I'm suddenly hungry." "My mother taught me her hometown's traditional dish! It's made with bread and milk and it's sweet. I'll make it for you." Mari beamed happily as she took Jasmine's hand to help her back in the mansion. She cooked a delicious delicacy that Jasmine ate clumsily, spilling
52Jasmine's heart thudded violently in her chest. She felt as though a bucket of very very cold water was poured on her. "Are you insane? I'm sure there's something wrong with your observation. Your boss and I... It's impossible!" She exhaled, shocked and amazed, as she redirected her hazel eyes to the rabbits playing across from her. It's not like Jasmine hated hearing that. Kyle was a handsome and desirable man. If she were single with no brutal memories of a failed marriage, she would have lost her heart to him. Men like him were easily and quickly snatched from the market of bachelors. She would have done the same, but their relationship was a little... Complicated and it couldn't have a name. Damn, they didn't have a relationship in the first place! She was just a woman he saved, and from what she recalled about him— wasn't he a playboy who had a longggggg list of one night stands and ex-girlfriends?No, she definitely didn't intend to judge him because of his personal relati
51"You're my guest for as long as you are here. You won't have to worry about anything. Mari is also going to keep you company so you don't feel lonely." He glanced over his left shoulder at Mari who was standing in the corner. She had an unrecognizably teasing look on her face. Jasmine ignored her as she looked back at Kyle. "I still don't understand why you're doing this for me. You do understand that by saving me you've already compensated me for my loss, don't you?" "I just..." Kyle raised his brows casually. "I just want to do it. Do you mind it?" Jasmine shook her head. "I'm getting vip treatment. Why would I mind?" "Keep that attitude. I like it." He said with a look that could have floored any woman, thought Jasmine. "Hey, I still don't know your name." Kyle added. "Neither do I!" Jasmine lied. "Well, I'm Kyle. Nice to meet you, miss..." "Jessica." Jasmine gave him a small smile, hating the fact that she had to lie to him. It hurt her to deceive him by giving him a