CH009

"Did you make the complete payment to him?"

'Yes Mrs J. I also made sure to provide all he'd be needing to execute the plan"

" That is very good" she said to the voice on the other end of the phone call.

"This would be the perfect riddance to that piece of shit. I can't stand the thought of her getting released and having to fight for the company shares and inheritance with my children. Jaiswal already displayed his foolishness by including her in his will,, I can't sit back and watch that happen. Make this plan a success" she said and began to walk back into the courtroom.

Marshall Yugo walked out of where he had stood. He had been on his way to the courthouse for Jasmine's hearing but on eavesdropping on the phone call, he turned his back to leave. There was no need of him being there when something else was being plotted.

-------------------------

"Who is she?" Mia's voice finally came forward, her gaze lingering at his eyes that watched the sleeping lady so affectionately.

" Yes Mia, she is whom you believe her to be" he replied.

Her eyes didn't leave his, she stood still watching his expression for an explanation. It was confusing, everything was confusing her.

"I was minutes late and couldn't save her before the bus crashed. Her face was scarred so she underwent a facial surgery. The world and Mrs Jaiswal might believe that she is dead, that is why I consented to protect her identity"

" Mrs Jaiswal?" Mia mouthed, tears streaming down her face as she tried to process the revelation.

Her best friend, whom she believed to be dead was lying in front of her, changed but unmistakably Jasmine.

Marshall allowed Mia time to collect herself before continuing. "Jasmine's enemies believe she's gone, and that's how it needs to stay. She needs time to heal and to plan her next move. And I need someone I can trust to help her through this. That is why I brought you here"

Mia wiped her tears, her mind now focused.

"Why didn't you tell me before? Why all the secrecy? You could have told me from the beginning" Marshall gave her a look with a mix of seriousness and empathy in it.

"Because the fewer people who know, the safer she is. Arun and Maya can't find out about this. If they do, everything we've worked for will be in jeopardy."

"I'll do whatever it takes to protect her. But what about you? Why are you doing all this?"She couldn't help but ask. He was Maya's fucking fiancee!! They are announced to be gearing up for their wedding soon and here be was with this? What was he planning,why was he doing this?

Marshall's gaze softened as he looked at Jasmine and began to give Mia a reply. "Because I owe her everything. She saved me once, and now it's my turn to save her. And I swear on the grave of my late mother that I won't rest until I'm able to fulfill this promise"

The writhing of the figure on the bed drew their attention. Jasmine opened her eyes and tried to move but a dull pain in her face held her back. Her hand instinctively reached for her face which she examined to ascertain whether what she had overheard in her subconsciousness were true.

Marshall Yugo was there, standing quietly by the corner of the bed. His eyes were intense watching her every move as though he was waiting for her to erupt. By his side stood Mia and her presence by his side made her feel at ease.

Jasmine didn't scream or demand an explanation as he had expected. Instead, she remained silent, her eyes searching his for answers.

Marshall approached her cautiously, his tall figure casting a long shadow over her bed. “Jasmine,” he said softly, but there’s an unmistakable tenderness in his voice and Mia could tell it's difference form the way he had spoken to her before.

“Before you say anything, you need to know that what I did was to protect you. I didn’t have time to ask for your permission.”

Jasmine’s gaze was fixed on him, unblinking. Her silence unnerved Marshall, making him question his decision for the first time in ages. He had imagined that she would be furious accusing him of taking away her identity and autonomy but here she was lying on the bed with an unreadable expression.

Jasmine’s fingers traces the bandages on her head as she contemplated what to say.

“So you decided to play God? You pitied me and decided what was best for me because of what happened?” she accused, but there was no venom in her tone—only exhaustion.

Marshall’s jaw tightened knowing that there was no easy way to explain what he had done. “I made a choice to save you and make sure you can never be found. You’re not the same person anymore, Jasmine. Your face, your identity—it’s all different now.”

The reality of his words sinked in and Jasmine felt a wave of nausea. The old Jasmine was gone, erased by a man who had claimed to love her, a man she had given her all to. But as she stared into Marshall’s determined eyes, she realized that perhaps this was what she needed—an escape from her past, a chance to rebuild herself from the ashes of her former life.

“Is your offer still on the table?” Jasmine asked abruptly, her voice suddenly steadier as she tried sitting on the bed in an upright position,with Mia helping her sit up. Quiet as she let her converse with Marshall whom she didn't know what his exact intentions towards her friend were.

“What offer?” he asked acting puzzled though deep down, he seemed to have an idea of what It was, but he needed to act like a gentleman and pretend not to.

“Your proposal,” she clarified “You wanted me to leave my ex husband then to marry you. Is that still an option?”

Marshall’s breath caught in his throat. He hadn’t expected this—not now. Not immediately she awoke from the effects of the anaesthesia. “You don’t have to do this, Jasmine. You don’t owe me anything.”

Jasmine shaked her head.

“This isn’t about owing you Marshall. I need a new life and you can give that to me. But I also need something else—revenge. You said you wanted to help me. So help me, Marshall. Let’s get married. Let’s destroy everyone who has ever hurt me. Let's rise against all your competitors.”

Marshall was momentarily taken aback by the tone of her voice. This wasn't the broken woman he had found in the wreckage of her life.

He knew she was hurting and needing revenge but yet, he realized he couldn't turn away.

“Yes,” he finally said. “We’ll get married, and I’ll stand by your side every step of the way. Whatever you want, Jasmine, it’s yours.”

Mia watched the both of them. She couldn't believe what was unfolding before her eyes. Was he trying to play her friend? What would happen to Maya? What was he fucking trying to do?

As she contemplated the questions that roamed in her head, what she heard her best friend Jasmine say next sent her spiraling with more questions as to what exactly was fucking going to happen.