Chapter 24 – Your Real Mother
I stood outside Jasmine’s door, fist raised, heart pounding.
“Jasmine.” I called softly, “just hear me out. Please.”
No answer. I knocked again. Nothing.2
I pressed my forehead to the wood. “We can talk this through. Just open the door.”
Still silence.
I sighed and stepped back, pain twisting in my chest!
I turned–but there was Rose, arms folded, blocking the hallway.8
“You’ve done enough,” she said coldly. “She doesn’t want to see you“?
“I just need five minutes,” I pleaded. “She loves me. She’s loved me for ten years. I know this can’t be over
“Love?” Rose raised a brow. “Do you call this love? You brought those kids here to torment her. You let them believe she’s a monster. Ar you let Bianca fill their heads with poison, 2
“I didn’t know,” I whispered. “I swear, I didn’t.”
“Too late,” she replied. “Now leave.
The kids stood behind me, arms crossed, bored expressions on their faces.!!
“Why are we even here?” Camden asked. “We could be playing with Mommy Bianca instead.”
Rose glared. “How dare you say that? Jasmine is your mother2
The kids laughed
“She’s joking.” Cole smirked 3
“Is this a prank?” Chloe added.}
“Jasmine’s not our mom, Clara sneered. “She’s just obsessed with Dad,”
My chest tightened.
“Enough” Rose snapped. “All of you–get out. \\
She didn’t need to say it twice. I turned and walked away, the kids trailing behind, still smirking and whispering.
We returned to the hotel, but I couldn’t breathe right, I couldn’t think. I sat down while the kids slumped onto the couches.
“Dad,” Charlotte whined, “why are we here? You said this would be fun. This sucks.”
“Yeah,” Caleb added. “Let’s go back to Bianca’s. At least she doesn’t yell all the time.”
I looked at them. Really looked at them.”
Six pairs of eyes. My children. So full of judgment. So full of lies.
“Is it true?” I asked quietly.
Clara tilted her head. “What?“.
“What you said earlier,” I continued, “about Bianca telling you Jasmine killed your mom. About her asking you to shoot Jasmine. Was it
They hesitated.
Then Chloe shrugged. “Yeah. She told us everything. She said Jasmine was evil. That she wanted to take over our family.”
My heart shattered.
“And you believed her?” I whispered.
“She said you wouldn’t tell us the truth,” Camden said. “And she was right.”
Tears filled my eyes. I clenched my jaw and stood.
“I lied to you,” I said. “But not for the reasons you think.”
They all stared at me now!
“What are you saying?” Cole asked &
“I’m saying Jasmine is your real mother,” I whispered. “She carried you. She loved you. And she gave you up to keep peace. To protect you. All while still loving me. Still loving all of you”
The room went still
“But…” Charlotte started. “Mom-”
“She loved you,” I said quickly. “But she knew the truth. And she feared it. I was dating Jasmine before I ever met your mom. Your mom
took me from her
Their eyes widened.
“I was the one who broke Jasmine’s heart,” I said bitterly. “I was the fool. And now you all nearly killed the one woman who’s loved you
from the start
Tears filled Clara’s eyes.
“I didn’t know,” Caleb whispered.
“I didn’t either,” Camden muttered. “Bianca.. she told us Jasmine was the bad guy.”
“She lied,” I said. “She used you.”
And right then, I picked up the phone and dialed Blanca.
She answered on the third ring, her voice smooth and amused. “Henry. Let me quess–Jasmine kicked you to the curb, and now you war me back?”
I clenched my jaw. “No games, Bianca. Why did you poison my kids against Jasmine?”
“What?” she said, too quickly. “I don’t–what are you talking about?”
“They told me everything.” I snapped “The lies. The manipulation. The crossbow. The text message. Everything.”
She went quiet. Then… “I can explain-”
“I don’t want your explanations,” I growled. “We’re done. I never r want to see you again.”
“Henry, wait-“W
I ended the call!
My hands trembled as I dropped the phone onto the table.!!
The kids were crying now. Clara buried her face in her hands. Cole hugged Charlotte.
“We’re s
sorry Chloe said, her voice small. “We didn’t know.”
I’sank to the floor, head in my hands.
What had I done?
I had failed Jasmine. I had failed my children. I had failed myself X
My phone buzzed again. Grandpa.!
I answered, voice hoarse. “Grandpa…”
“Is she coming back?” he asked bluntly.
I swallowed “She she won’t even speak to me.”
“Then you’re no grandson of mine,” he snapped. “I gave you one job. And you failed”
The line went dead
I stared at the phone, numb.
Everything was falling apart. Jasmine was gone. My children were broken. My family–crumbling.X
And I had no one to blame but myself.!!
