Chapter 12%
Jasmine sat on the edge of the couch, her hands shaking as she stared down at the small white envelope in her lap. Inside it was a test she never expected would stir such confusion in her. Positive.
She thought she’d feel triumphant. After all, for months, she’d convinced herself that having Kevin’s child would solidify her place in his life. That it would erase Isabella’s shadow once and for all!
But now? Now there was only a pit in her stomach.
When Kevin finally walked through the front door later that night, exhausted and distracted, Jasmine stood up quickly, her heart pounding
“need to talk to you.” she said.
Kevin didn’t even take off his coat. “What is it now?”
She took a deep breath, then met his eyes. “I’m pregnant“:”
For a moment, he just stood there. No reaction. No change in expression. And then–anger.
“What?” His voice was sharp. “Now? Are you senous?
“Yes,” she replied, uncertain now. “I thought you’d want to know!
Kevin turned away, running his hand through his hair. “This is the worst possible timing.”
“I thought this would make things better between us. That maybe=”
“Better?” he snapped. “My family’s threatening to cut me off, the company’s in shambles after that scandal, and you think this will fix things7”
Her throat tightened. “Kevin, this is your child=”
“I never asked for this,” he said flatly, avoiding her gaze. “I told you things were complicated. I still haven’t gotten Isabella back, and now you drop this on me?
Jasmine’s expression crumpled. “So what am I supposed to do now? Just pretend it’s not happening?”
Kevin’s eyes darkened. “You do what you want. I don’t care. Just don’t expect me to celebrate.“”
d walked
Then, without another word, he grabbed his keys and walked out.
Jasmine was left alone, the envelope still clutched in her hand, her hopes crumbling silently around her.
She stared at the walls of Kevin’s apartment, her breath shallow. The silence now was unbearable. No one was there to comfort her. Not even the man she had given everything up for
The memory of Isabella’s face came back to her like a cold wind. The way she used to flinch when she passed by. How Kevin would brush Jasmine’s hand in secret, while Isabella stood in the same room–oblivious at first, then heartbreakingly aware. Jasmine had spent so long convincing herself that she was the rightful one. The one Kevin should’ve always been with. The one who deserved his love.
But now she realized, with a slow and growing ache, that all she had done was destroy a woman who never fought back. Isabella never screamed. She never begged. She simply stepped aside–even as Jasmine took everything from her.
And still, Jasmine told herself: He was always mine.8
So why was she the one left behind?
Frustrated and trembling, she left Kevin’s apartment and drove back to her father’s house. Gregory. He would know what to do. He always did.X
She entered the estate without knocking, the sound of her heels echoing through the hall, Gregory looked up from his study, eyes narrowing the second he saw her.&
“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.
“Dad,” she started, trying to steady her voice. “I need help. Kevin.. he won’t–he won’t take responsibility. I’m pregnant, and he just walked out on me.”
Gregory stood slowly, his gaze hard. “You think I’ll help you now?
She blinked. “What?”
“I know everything, Jasmine.”
Her stomach dropped.
“I had someone reinvestigate the past–especially your involvement with Isabella and my wife.”
“You’re–what are you saying?”
Gregory’s voice rose. “I know what you did. To Isabella. To my wife. You made her life hell. You pushed her. You-”
“That’s not true!” she shouted, but her voice cracked with guilt!
He stepped closer. “You gave my wife a hard time until her health gave out. She died under pressure, in silence–and now I know why Because of you and not because of Isabella. I blamed her for years when I should be blaming your
Tears streamed down her face. “I didn’t mean-”
Gregory’s eyes were full of fire. “You don’t get to mean anything now.”
“It wasn’t like that!” Jasmine cried, rising to her feet and stumbling forward. 1 just–she always had everything! Dad, she was always the favorite at first because I was the daughter of your mistress. I just wanted something for myself. I didn’t think it would go that far-”
“You lied,” he said coldly?
4:15 PM
“I was jealous, okay? But I didn’t mean for her Mom to get depressed and-” Her voice cracked. “Please please don’t turn your back on me. I have no one left, Dad. No one. Don’t throw me away.”
He tumed his back. “That’s your consequence.“}
Guards stepped forward, and Gregory nodded. “Show her out.”
They didn’t drag her–but the humiliation cut deeper than force. Jasmine stumbled out of the house, mascara smudging under her eyes, pride shattered beyond repair 8
Back in his study, Gregory’s expression remained steel. One of his men stepped in quietly behind him.
“Sic, we still haven’t found Isabella. No records. No sightings.”
Gregory stared out the window. “She wouldn’t just vanish. Not without a place she trusted.”
“Any leads?”
Gregory’s eyes narrowed. “Her stepfather. Lucas, Find him.”
He clenched his fists. “If Isabella is anywhere… she’ll be with him.”
