God! Is this Jasmine's end. Will she be known as a coward who took her life? What do you think will happen next? Comment below:)
37"I am not siding with you this time, Lucy. You are in the wrong! How could you bring your so-called friends home and let them in on our secret?"Jasmine's eyes were closed. She felt her body buzz with unease as she tried to move. She didn't know where she was but she heard people present around her. Considering the voice she heard and the name, it wasn't hard to guess that it was her husband and his mistress."And to say those friends of yours are mistresses and secret lovers of big business sharks out there. It could be dangerous. You're still married to my father and there's so much that could go wrong if he finds out about us." Vince drawled grimly.Although Jasmine had stirred back to consciousness, she pretended to be asleep. She wanted to listen to them. It could give her an opportunity to escape the prison Vince had built for her in their marital home, and the atrocities his mistress planned to make her go through."Are you scared?" Lucy laughed. "Are you— Vince Garrison, the
38Her chest rumbled when she felt something on her left leg. SHE FELT. Jasmine's heart banged in her chest because she ‘felt’. Her leg wasn't numb. It was very much healthy and responsive as before. "Aah! Use some spit, Vince! I'm sore from yesterday." It was Lucy's grip on Jasmine's ankle that tightened as she said those words. She was holding onto her leg while Jasmine's husband drilled into her. Although Jasmine's body fired up in indignation in realization that they were making out against the bed, she felt her heart swirl in gratitude and excitement. Her mobility was restored.It was probably because of the surgery she had. The doctor may have injected her with reversal agents after the surgery to weaken the hold of anesthesia so she could regain her mobility post surgery. And it also helped dissolve whatever was keeping her lower body from moving. It still felt unreal. Jasmine wanted to confirm it herself. Though she didn't open her eyes as that would have put her in risk sin
39"Am I dreaming? She can't be here. That's her, isn't that?" He was sitting in his black Bentley across from the hospital. Kyle had come here to discuss the possibility of adopting the hospital. It was in the heart of the city and vastly visited by the underprivileged community. However, its condition was dismal. The infrastructure was falling apart. It was staggering that the facility was still standing upright despite having weak and decaying walls. Kyle knew all that because he had taken a tour within. The dreadful condition of the wards and the fact that people still visited for treatment was why he decided to take this hospital under his wing. He was a mercenary at heart, but he still cared for the development of the society. After all, Kyle knew what it meant to have no money. He may be the heir to a billionaire father, he never really got to enjoy his wealth as a child. He had to work his way up to the top both as a child and an adult. He carved his own path, sweated bloo
40Kyle's POVI was pacing outside my bedroom restlessly. The doctor was here and he was inside the room with the woman. My eyes stilled on the closed door as my movements came to a halt. It's hard to believe that I have finally found her. She's in my room. On my bed. Well, I don't mean it in that way when I talk about bed, but until a few days ago, I was almost convinced that it was a ghost.I was close to giving up on finding her but she's here in my life again, in my house. My mind drifted back to that day I insulted her. I was rude. I shouldn't have offered monetary compensation for the loss of her child.A loss of life can't be compensated with money. I knew that well but my arrogance has gotten the better of me. But life is giving me another chance to make my wrongs right by sending the very woman in my path again.I straightened my back as the door clicked open."Well..." I raised my brow at the doctor who just stepped out.I saw him rubbing some sanitizer on his hands. Closin
41I was forced to wonder about her condition and what probably transpired in her life after she escaped me. Did her husband catch her again? Was he imposingly oppressive? Did he starve her? A tornado of questions unfolded in my mind. I shook my head to shake it off and entered the room. My limbs ached and my body was surprisingly hot. It hadn't been a very good day. I hardly got to rest today and the need to take a super cold shower to ease my nerves throbbed within me. In an instant, I was standing naked under the shower. The water sliding down my body acted as a soothing balm. I raised my head, face up, to let the cool droplets fall on my face. I could feel heat leaving my body. Staying under the shower was enticing, but I needed more than that. Thus, I filled the bathtub with cold water and sat in it. As soon as I slumped against it and rested my head back, sleep overpowered my senses and I conked out. I woke up with a jolt as I felt like I was drowning. Looking around unsure
42Jasmine's POVThis can't be true... This...My hands shook as I blinked my eyes frantically, hoping that whatever I was seeing was just a dream. I just woke up and found myself in a new room— a thousand times more lavish than Vince and my bedroom, more warm and splendid with decor that made my jaw drop.But that wasn't why I was shivering like a puppy. It was the man sleeping on the recliner in the corner of the room. It was him! That arrogant jerk who offered me money after causing my miscarriage. He was shirtless and judging by the looks of it, it seemed like I was in his bedroom. A fire to burn him in his sleep licked at my insides. I tried to sit up straight but the pain in my abdomen was so intense, I was forced to lay down and take deep breaths.Tears welled up in my eyes as I breathed heavily. What was happening with me? Why has my life turned into a haunted house where I was witnessing new shocking and horrifying events on every second step? My hands shook as the pain in
43Jasmine's POV "What's wrong, sir?" The new man asked. "She's trying to run away. Help me hold her down and ask someone to call George back." I felt two more arms on my shoulders and knees. They were holding me down on the bed."We must get her under control before she causes trouble." I screamed after hearing those words. It couldn't get any worse. I was being held down by two men! I wasn't even dressed appropriately and the fear of getting forced by them further assaulted me. I used all my strength to scream, causing my ribs to rattle. My abdomen burned from the impact of the scream, and the blur before my vision darkened until I could see nothing but blackness. I hadn't fainted though... Just momentarily blank. But I could hear their conversation. "Did you make a call?" "N-no, sir. I... Was helping you with—" "Then what are you waiting for? Call George before she gains her senses back!" The cruel jerk snapped at the guy. "O-okay!" I was awake but my body had ditched me.
44Jasmine's lungs ached as all the oxygen was punched out of them by the doctor's words.'Don't give a reaction. Don't give a reaction. He won't know.' She kept telling herself that but she forgot that she was alone in a room with a doctor.His fingers moved with ease and gently on her stomach. They were light weight as if the man had long years of knowledge with wounds. He applied some cool liquid and her pain lessened a little bit. The sting was there... But eventually with each wipe by his gentle fingers, it occurred to become even lesser."You know, I've encountered many girls like you before— anxious and scared. So it's not like I don't know when they're not pretending and when they are really unconscious. But if you want to make me believe that... I'll stay quiet." He spoke gently, his voice carrying the warmth of a knowing father who knew his daughter was hiding stuff from him to not anger him."Kyle is a nice boy. I have known him since he was teenager. He can get rough and in
61"I... I'm sorry! I didn't know it was you. I thought—" "That's okay. I'll take care next time and make sure I cut on the oil." Jasmine smiled genuinely, thinking that Lila was really innocent. "No, I truly mean it. I'm sorry. I thought it was Jojo. If I knew you made everything today then I wouldn't have— I'm sorry. That might have sounded mean and we've not officially been introduced to each other. You must feel so bad because of me. But I didn't..." Lila trailed off, looking at Kyle regretfully as if she would cry if he didn't help her. Kyle let out a heave as he touched Lila's hand in her lap. All the three sitting on the other side of the table— Jasmine, Jojo and Mari— saw his hand movement too. "This beautiful crazyhead here is my most valuable, amazing, always available for me, sometimes cute and sometimes crazy, my forever partner in crime... My closest friend, Lila. Lila Calvin. She's a social media influencer and one of the best advisers I have in life." Kyle said with
60"Well, well, well… looks like someone’s having a grand feast! But I feel disappointed, Kyle. What have I done to not get an invitation? Your guest seemed to have gained her senses back too." Lila walked in on them as she refused to stay in the corner while a stranger was enjoying Kyle's attention and compliments. She sat down next to Kyle after kissing him on the cheek, her eyes fixed on Jasmine darkly. "I am sad! How can you do this to me?" "Oh, Lila," Kyle rolled his eyes the same way he did each time Lila threw an unnecessary tantrum. "Stop being ridiculous. You were out of town for a big brand's ad shooting, weren't you? And you said it'll take about a week or two before you come back. How could I have known it would be over within a week!" Lila's ears turned pink. She wasn't expecting Kyle to treat her with such offending boldness— like yeah, she knew that he assumed her as a 'good' best friend. But she still had a reputation. It felt like an insult in front of Jasmine and
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