Chapter 8
Jasmine watched calvin make his rounds with Olivia clinging to his arm, a dull ache of boredom settling in her chest.
She scanned for Amelia, only to find the latter encircled by society wives. So, she lingered at the edges. When the cmd finally dispersed, she stepped forward and eltered her gift to Amelia
Amelia’s expression twisted with something unreadable at the sight of her. “You’ll receive the divorce decree in the days, I couldn’t bear to see you go.”
1 had all started after Calvin’s accident left him paralyzed. History had taken on a life of its own. He lashed out at everyone, his curses sharp as fling stones. Amelia had hired a dozen caregivers, but teardrove every one of them away. In desperation, she’d tumed to a final, unthinkable solution–looking for a stand–in-
And by some wist of fate, she’d found Jasmine, who was gentle and kind–hearted.
Jasmine met Amelia’s gaze and offered a gentle smile. Til visit when I can, Mrs. Ford,”
The divorce was final now, and retuming to formalities felt like the right thing to do.
Amelia nodded, her eyes red–med. She pulled a card from her purse and pressed it into Jasmine’s hand. “This credit card has a million dollars for you as compensation. The villa is ready. Tomorrow, I’ll have my assistant take you to finalize the transder.“–
Jasmine glanced at the card but didn’t refuse it. Even if her marriage to Calvin had been of convenience, three years of service had eamed bet this. She believed that she deserved the money without guilt.
She had played the dutiful wife in every way, enduring Calvin’s outbursts, silent treatments, and infidelity. He had stripped her of her dignity for three years. “Mom, what did you just give Jasmine? And what was that about transtering something?” Sonia appeared suddenly at Amelia’s side, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Amelia shot her daughter a sharp glare “Nothing Must you always be so nosy?”
Sonia’s lips twisted in displeasure. “Did you give her money? Cal already provides for her every month. Why would she need more from you? Don’t let her fool you. She’s just a gold digger
“Cal only married her because he had no other choice. Now that he’s better, he doesn’t need her anymore. You should just lick her out
Then, she whirled toward jasmine and spat, “You married Cal, lived in a villa, and had maids at your back and call. What more could you possibly want? If you keep acting this greedy, I’ll make sure that Cal puts you in your place!”
For two long years, Sonia had stood by watching whenever Calvin lost his temper and lashed out at Jasmine. To her, Jasmine was nothing more than Calvin’s possession, something to be shouted at or thrown away onawhim.
Jasmine had no desire to argue. So, she turned to go.
Sonia moved to grab her arm, eager to continue her tirade, but Amelia swiftly intervened.
“You’ve got las all wrong. She’s already agreed to divorce Cal,” she said sharply.
Sonia’s face brightened instantly. “Really? She’s actually willing to leave?”
Amelia gave her a withering look before sighing. “Enough of your meddling. She’s cared for Cal for three years better than any use of maid ever could. She actually cared for him”
and insurance. That way, no one can accuse
no one can accuse Cal of sleeping with her
She hesitated, then laid bare the cold truth. “This money serves two purposes–compensation and for three years and throwing her away like nothing!”
A milion dollars and a villa were packet change to the Fords. To them, the perfect ending would be Jaschine fading away without leaving a single trace behind.
Sonia couldn’t resist pressing further. “Doesn’t this mean that Cal can finally mucty Lly now?”
Amelia’s expression instantly hardened. “Olivia may be Calvin’s girlfriend his lover, even. But the title of “Mrs. Ford will never be hers!”
She remembered all too well how calvin had injured his legs. Olivia, that tickle–hearted woman, imagining herself as her daughter–in–law? Not while Amelia still drew breath!
Amelia was determined to set Calvin up on a blind date once his divorce was settled
Jasmine was about to leave when it’s voice sled through the alt. “Jasmine!”
Olivia strode toward her with Calvin’s suit jacket hanging over her shoulders.
Jasmine had no interest installing to her, but olivia wasn’t the type to let herescape so easily.
Jsme asked, “What do you want?”
with a smile, tilivia pressed a silk scarf into her hands. “I stained this earlier. Cal bought it for me in vemia, and it cost a forte. Now it needs to be washed by Tund. He says that you’re even better at laundry than the maid. Would you mind handling it for me?
Jasmine felt the sting of the inaula: “Get lost. I’m not your maid!”
She humed to leave, but Olivia grabbed her wrist, her voice onzing condescension. It was nothing like the tragile, innocent tone she used with Calvin “You dare tell me to get lost? Who do you think you are! You’re just a mald. Did you actually believe that you were Mrs Ford?!
The venom in her words igitted fury in jasmine’s veins. She struck Olivia across the cheek
Just then, Calvin approached carrying a plate of cake. He hurried over at the sight and helped Olivia to her teet. “L, are you okay?!
Olivia pressed her hand to her face, tears glistening in her eyes as she sobbed against him. “I’m fine. Gal, please don’t be angry padidact mean it she’s just upset because I’ve been keeping you from going home to her understand. It’s my fault.”
Chapter
Calvin’s pace snapped up, locking onto Jasmine with a glare “Jasmine, you have one minute to explain what you just did.”
Jasmine had no interest in explaining herself after Olivia twisted the truth. Herexpression remained calm as she said, “I hit her because she deserved it. What’s there to explain?”
Calvin’s breath quickened with rage, his eyes blazing like a predator’s. If not for the guests around, he would’ve stored over and taught Jasmine a lesson she’d never forget.
knowing how much he prized his pride, Jasmine lifted her chin in defiance. “Mr. Ford, I’ll leave if you have nothing else to say.”
With her back straight, she turned and strode off without saying a single word.
Realizing Calvin wouldn’t defend her now, Olivia burst into even more pitiful sobs. “Cal… It hurts so much…”
Calvin murmured soothingly. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’ll stay with you tonight. And I’ll make sure she pays for this.”
Olivia nodded weakly. “Okay… No one looks out for me like you do.”
Jasmine returned to the gated community.
The security guard at the gate spotted her and called out, “Mrs. Ford, you’ve got a package. The delivery guy dropped it off at the wrong villa, and the resident there had their maid bring it to the fifth floor of the property management building. You’ll have to pick it up yourself.”
Jasenine pulled out her phone, wondering which package had ended up in the wrong hands. She made her way to the property management building and stepped into the elevator.
Suddenly, the lights cut out. She quickly turned on her phone’s flashlight and hit the emergency button, but nothing happened.
She immediately called the property manager, but her phone suddenly lost service. The battery was dying, too. Soon, the last flicker of light vanished.
Trapped in the cramped darkness, jasmine’s night blindness clawed at her. Unseen hands seemed to tighten around her throat, her breaths turning shallow and ragged.
The terror of death flooded her mind like a rising tide. She clutched her head, crouched in the comer of the elevator, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her thoughts dragged her back to that night when James jumped. She had gone to the Scott Group building to find him.
The office was pitch–black then. She’d flicked on her phone’s flashlight, the beam slicing through the darkness to reveal James perched alone on the windowsill, a drink in hand.
When he saw her, he smiled–bleakcand unsettling
Startled, Jasmine dropped her phone, and it clattered to the floor. The flashlight flickered out, and darkness closed in around her. Dread coursed through her veins. -thick and unrelenting
Time became a blur until a shout shattered the sib
silence outside. “Someone jumped!”
Her tears spilled over at once, and in that instant, her world came crashing down
Jasmine made it through the right in the elevator, fighting back her fear.
The property managers didn’t open the doors until moming. Their eyes widened in shock when they saw her.
“Mrs. Ford? What are you doing in there? This elevator’s been out of service for ages. Didn’t you see the notice? Wait, who tore down the warning sticker?
