Chapter 5
jaspise counted the days and sealized that there were still over 20 days left in the mandatory cooling–off period before her divner would be finalized.
Sull 20 more days to go. You know, my divorce hasn’t been finalized yet,” she said.
Penn’s voice softened with comorm. “Calvin isn’t giving you any trouble, ishe?”
It was a fair question. Back in college, Jasmine had been the undisputed beauty of their department. What man would let someone like her walk away without a
But lastnine only offered a self–deprecating susile. “Trust me, he won’t. It aithing, he’s in a hurry to be ald of me.”
calvin had Olivia now. So, we would he space her a second thought?
“Well, that’s good,” Penne sand.
She’s the best at
Deercutious, she handled jasmine a business cand, “Sull, don’t panic thing happens. A friend of mine works at escena’s top law firm. Sh handling divorce cases Withher on your side, you’ll walk away clean,”
Jasmine doubted she’d need it. Nevertheless, she took the cand and sailed gratefully while saying, “Thanks, Penny
Night had fallen by the time Jasmine resumed home. A pair of high heels stood in the entryway, while on the couch, a woman’s clothes lay beside a handbag.
She spaced out for a second until olivia’s voice carried down the stairs. She’d forgotten that Olivia had moved in and figured the latter must’ve been discharged from the hospital
Jasmine climbed the stairs to the second floor. A flicker of imitation stirred in her chest when she realized that the sound came from the master bedroom.
That was still her room, even if she and Calvin were headed for divorce, Olivia had no right to barge in like this.
She pushed the door open, and there was Olivia, wrapped in nothing but a towel, perched on her bed, Calvin cruched beside her, applying nintment to her ankle.
The scene before her bumed. Jasmine clenched her jaw, biting back the reprimand clawing at her throat.
Seeing Jasmine, Olivia rushed to explain, “Jasmine, I just slapped in the bathroom. Cal only brought me here to treat the wound. You don’t mind, do you?”
Jasmine’s voice cut like frost. “Why were you in my room in the first place?”
Olivia flinched at her accusatory tone, tears springing to her eyes as her voice wavered pitifully. “My shower wasn’t working, so I used Cal’s. I’ll leave if it bothers
She stood to go, but her injured ankle buckled, sending her staggering Calvin grabbed her before she could fall, holding her waist as she pressed into him, her wide eyes widened in panic.
He softed histone to calm her. “Easy,
- y. It’s nothing serious, Jasmine won’t mind.”
His gaze smapped to Jasmine, is expression hardening. “That tone with Lly was out of line, Apologize to her,”
Jasmine thought it was absurd.
Olivia had been sitting on her bed, barely dressed, and now she was clinging to her husband, Jasmine wondered if she really was supposed to apologize just for asking a question.
However, she had no intention of humoring them. Tuming away, she headed for the states.
Annoyed by her inditierence, Calvin called out to her. “Jasmine! ”
She paused, boolding back with an expression even leler than his. “What if I refuse?”
Calvin’s p
s gaze darkened, lils voice sharp with anger. “This is an order, not a
ta discussion.”
He had spoken to Jasmine like this for the years. She used to bite back her words, but not anymore. What did she have to fear now? They were getting divorced
Jasadne lifted her chain, her voice dripping with scom. “Fine. I’ll apologize. I’m so sorry for Intemipting your little moment. But then again, a good wife is supposed to bama blind eye to her husband’s affair, isn’t she?”
“Jasmine!” Calvin’s breath tuted ragged, his temper igniting. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Jasmine’s gaze fell to his arm. “Did I misspeak, Mr. Food? Then tell me–where exactly is your band right now?
Only then did Calvin realize he was still gripping Olivia’s waist
nove out tonight.”
Olivia sobbed as if she’d been deeply wronged. “This is all my fault. Jasmine, please don’t blame Cal. Don’t fight because of me. I’ll move out
with that, she limped out of the room.
Calvin was about to continue berating jasmine when livia’s startled cry pierced the ale Jasmine tumed to see Olivia lying at the foot of the states,
Panicked, Calvin shoved Jasmine aside and mushed forwand, sending her sprawling across the floor. The impact reignited the dull ache in her injured amm
*Live Aar you hurt?” calvin’s voor was sharp with agency.
Then came the sound at the front door swinging open and slamming shut
A bitter smile curled Jasmine’s lips. It seemed Cabin would be speading another night at Olivia’s hospital bedside.
She tipped the bedslieet eway and hurled it into the trash. She refused to touch any thing that had been tainted by that bitchi
Calvin’s WhatsApp message flashed un her screen when she finished “ombiwo setset clothes from Liv’s poom and bring them here.”
Prade
Jasutine ignored it and switched ofther phone.
After washing, she settled into the treshsheets, forcing Cabins and olivia out of her thoughts Sleep claimed her almost instantly.
The next day, Vanessa arrived, her tone careful as she said, “Mrs. Fond, Mr. Ford sent me to pickup two sets of Ms. Zeller’s clothes”
Jasmine gestured toward a room upstairs. “That’s Ms. Zeller’s room.”
Vanessa tetched the clothes swiftly and returned, hesitating before saying, “Mr. Ford also asked me to take you to the hospital to care for Ms. Zeller.” Her words sounded awkward, as it she struggled to believe them.
Jasmine contimed eating hercheesy scrambled eggs on toast, not even acknowledging her, Vanessa stood there, stung by the cold di There was a time when Jasmine would have done anything for Calvin. Now, she couldn’t even be bothered to respond. Vanessalso felt
It that Calvin had pushed things too far. She couldn’t understand how he expected Jasmine to care for his mistress. Without saying another word, she bid jasmine a quick goodbye and lett.
WhatsApp call lit up hers
but powerless to react.
After breakfast, Jasmine ordered household essentials online for her new place. The second she finished, Calvin’s She answered, and his accusations exploded through the phone. “You’ve gone too far, Jasmine! You hurt Liv, so the least you could do is come to the hospital, apologize, and look after her!”
Jasmine scoffed. “She fell on her own. How is that my fault? And what it 1 say no?”
Calvin’s anger burned hotter than ever. Jasmine had always obeyed him without question. Never once had she defied him like this.
He spat through gritted teeth, “Jasmine, don’t forget who’s been supporting you all this time! You’ll do whatever I tell you!!
Jasmine was also furious. She couldn’t believe he dared throw those words at her after everything she’d done, including helping him regain mobility in his legs. She didn’t bother responding Instead, she ended the WhatsApp call and blocked him.
In the past, when Calvin had blocked her number, it left her heart heavy and stole her sleep for nights. But now? Blocking his whatsApp felt like finally exhaling after holding her breath for years
A short while later, Vanessa called her. Jasmine blocked her number and turned off her phone. Finally, silence settled over her world.
The thought of starting work soon crossed her mind. She needed proper outfits and shoes, so she headed to the ma
Per her formal request, Calvin would provide her with jo thousand dollars a month for living expenses, plus an additional five thousand in allowance
If he needed her at an important event, she’d have to submit another request to cover the cost of suitable attire.
The designer handbags and jewelry in the closet? Jasmine could use them, but she’d never own them.
Hermonthly living expenses, meant for groceries and household basics, always left a little extra. Over three years, those scraps had quietly piled up into a neste of over half a million dollars.
Calvin accounted for every dollar he spent on her, down to the last cent. The total wouldn’t even cover the tax on one of Olivia’s bags.
Each time Jasmine had to ask him for money, shame burned through her like acid, but he never cared about how it made her feel
His actions always hammered the truth home–be felt nothing for her.
