Chapter 6
Jasmine’s favorite dishes were on the table, and she beamed as everyone took turns to scoop food onto her plate. Only when her plate was overflowing did she say, “Stop, guys! You know I can’t eat too much—I can’t finish this.”
Rowena didn’t know whether it was the rain or her tears that blurred her vision. She still remembered how her family and Jordan had always firmly believed in her no matter what had happened.
They’d always sided with her, even saying, “Everything you do is right, Ro. We believe in you.”
Back then, everyone had been willing to change their preferences for her sake, so meals had been catered to her tastes. Now, however, they’d given their love and care to Jasmine.
The scene before Rowena’s eyes slowly faded as she slipped into darkness. She didn’t know how long she kneeled there; she couldn’t take it anymore and passed out.
When she woke up again, she saw Jordan’s handsome face before her. He blew lightly on a spoonful of chicken broth and held it to her lips when he saw that she was awake. “You must be hungry. Have some.”
It had been cooled to the perfect temperature and warmed her stomach. Rowena couldn’t understand why he was suddenly being so nice.
“Did something happen? Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?”
She looked at him coolly, her gaze distant and indifferent.
He faltered. “We checked the other surveillance camera’s footage and saw that Jasmine was the one who accidentally broke Mrs. Shore’s bracelet. She was too scared to admit it before; don’t get mad at her.”
Rowena found the whole thing to be a joke. She shut her eyes, not wanting to talk to him anymore. She’d been through so much suffering—did he think a simple explanation of Jasmine being too scared to own up to her mistakes could pacify her?
Then again, there was no point in pursuing the matter. Jordan and the rest of her family were so indulgent of Jasmine that they would never punish her.
She clutched her phone tightly, wishing that time would pass faster. She wanted to get to the day of her departure.
Jordan felt resigned when he saw her like this. He said gently, “We’re going to get married soon, Ro. Can you be happier? Don’t be like this for our wedding.”
Rowena slowly opened her eyes and looked at him. “Our wedding? When did anyone say anything about that?”
He was taken aback. Then, he smiled and asked, “Have you forgotten? Our families made a pact for us to marry before we turned 27. You’re already 26 this year, so it’s the perfect time.”
Rowena belatedly recalled that promise. She lowered her eyes and licked her chapped lips. “Are you still willing to marry me?”
Jordan held her hand tightly and said seriously, “Of course! My biggest wish since childhood has been to marry you. I don’t want anyone but you.”
She met his gaze. Then, she smiled. “But I—”
She wanted to tell him that she didn’t want to marry him anymore. Before she could finish her sentence, a commotion outside interrupted her.
Jasmine’s screech entered everyone’s ears. “Jordan Pallet!”
Jordan hurriedly put down the bowl of chicken broth and darted out of the room when he heard that. Rowena got out of bed and followed him slowly as well.
Jasmine held a knife to her wrist and slashed it lightly, making blood ooze out. Her eyes were red, and she looked haggard and crazed.
The Shores and Jordan stood around her, looking anxious. They eyed her knife warily, afraid she would actually hurt herself.
“Calm down, Jasmine. Don’t be like this!”
“That’s right! Just tell us what happened. Why are you suddenly doing this? Tell us! No matter what the problem is, we can resolve it together!”
