Chapter 1

"Jasmine, haven't you delivered the documents yet?" The man's voice on the phone sharpened with growing irritation. "Almost there, almost." Jasmine was still a little over a mile from the Ford Group building, but roadwork up ahead had brought traffic to a complete standstill. She stared at the downpour. Finally, she braced herself, paid the fare, and plunged into the rain. Then, she shrugged off her coat, bundled it around the folder, and ran. The rain pelted her, soaking through her thin layers. But she didn't care about appearances anymore. She just wanted to reach the Ford Group building, fast. Jasmine finally reached the building, only for the security guard to bar her path. She was soaked and would track water everywhere. Stranded at the entrance, she pleaded with the receptionist to take the documents upstairs. Then, she messaged Calvin Ford and his assistant, Vanessa Graham, on WhatsApp to let them know that the documents had been delivered. But no one replied. One of the receptionists, noticing Jasmine's plain attire, mistook her for a courier. With a sympathetic sigh, the woman handed her a glass of water. Jasmine thanked her, drank it, and turned to leave the Ford Group building. Just then, the elevator doors in the center of the lobby slid open, and a tall figure emerged. It was Calvin, the CEO of Ford Group, and her husband. Jasmine instinctively shrank back when she saw him stride toward the entrance. "Mr. Ford, Ms. Zeller's car broke down on the road. We've already sent a driver, so there's no need to worry." Calvin looked at his phone, frowning. "I can't reach Olivia's phone. Get her assistant on the line." "Got it." Jasmine stood in the corner, her expression icing over when she heard Olivia Zeller's name. So Olivia was back in the country. Her gaze flicked to Calvin as he hurried into the car, and a mocking smile curled her lips. Just moments ago, he'd been frantic, demanding that she deliver those documents for his urgent meeting as if the sky were collapsing. And now? He'd dropped everything without hesitation, racing to his first love instead. Meanwhile, she stood there like a fool, soaked and disheveled, invisible to him. Jasmine wiped the rain from her face and felt the sting of her own patheticness sharp in her chest. … Back at the Ford residence, Jasmine peeled off her soaked clothes, downed a glass of water, and called Calvin's mother, Amelia Watson. "Amelia." Amelia's voice softened with concern. "What's wrong, Jas? You don't sound well. Are you sick?" "No." Jasmine tightened her grip on the phone, drew a deep breath, and forced out the words she'd been holding in. "I want a divorce from Calvin." Silence stretched on the other end of the line. Jasmine forced the words out in a rush. "The agreement I signed with you was for three years. The time is up now. And Olivia is back." Amelia let out a sigh. "Alright, Jas. I understand. I'll have the lawyers draw up the divorce agreement. And as we agreed, the villa in Jesceria will be your compensation. I'll make sure the transfer goes through quickly." Jasmine accepted the financial settlement without protest. "Okay." Three years ago, she'd just graduated from college and was about to sign with an orchestra, poised to begin her career as a musician. Then, Scott Group collapsed overnight. Her father, James Scott, took his own life. Her mother, Delilah Mercer, broken by grief, spiraled into a mental breakdown. Overwhelmed by crushing medical expenses, Jasmine had nowhere to turn until Amelia appeared. Amelia, one of the orchestra's investors, learned of Jasmine's situation and offered to cover the medical expenses on one condition. As it turned out, Amelia's son, Calvin—heir to Ford Group—had been in a car accident that robbed him of the use of his legs. Olivia, his first love, had abandoned him and fled abroad. The betrayal shattered him, leaving him isolated and drowning in self-pity. Amelia wanted Jasmine to enter into a marriage of convenience with Calvin to pull him back from the brink of despair. Jasmine needed the money, so she agreed. Back then, Jasmine had asked Amelia why she'd chosen her. Amelia's answer was simple—Jasmine bore a faint resemblance to Olivia and played the piano, too. With that, Jasmine became a stand-in. She quit her job, married Calvin, and threw herself into caring for him. Day after day, she weathered his outbursts and tended to his meals, needs, and rehabilitation like a dutiful maid. Calvin's legs finally healed six months ago. His first act was to buy a plane ticket to Elandra. He had to find Olivia. From then on, he flew to Elandra every month without exception. His younger sister, Sonia Ford, lived in Elandra too. Jasmine had her contact information and often scrolled through Sonia's Instagram, watching the three of them smile at her from the screen. Calvin's face remained stern around Jasmine, but his smile came effortlessly with Olivia. The sight of those champagne roses in Olivia's hands sent a sharp ache behind Jasmine's eyes. Every Valentine's Day, Calvin had Vanessa deliver champagne roses to her, too. She'd been touched and confused, wondering why he'd chosen that particular bloom. Only when she saw the photos did it click. It was because Olivia loved them. They were never for Jasmine, who was just a pitiful stand-in. Now that Olivia was back, Jasmine could finally step aside. She dialed the number of her former senior, Penny Sloan. After college, Penny had started as an instructor at a music academy, climbing her way up to partner. For three years, Penny had kept inviting Jasmine to join the academy. Each time, Jasmine refused since Calvin needed her. But now that she was leaving him, she needed work. Penny's voice lit up the moment she heard Jasmine's request over the phone. "That's wonderful, Jasmine! I've been hoping you'd come on board for ages. I always thought it was a waste of your talent for getting married so young and becoming a housewife." Penny still wanted Jasmine, even though she had been out of the workforce for three years. Jasmine's eyes burned with sudden warmth. She said, "Thank you, Penny. I'll treat you to a meal soon." "I'll hold you to that." After ending the call, Jasmine began gathering her documents. A photo of her and Calvin caught her eye when she pulled out the marriage certificate, and she found herself drifting into a memory. It all began when Amelia brought her into the Ford family to care for Calvin. Back then, he had resisted her, and marriage had been the furthest thing from his mind. There were nights he tried to end his life, and Jasmine was the one who stopped him. She stayed by his side for countless sleepless hours, lighting calming incense and playing soft music for him. She never left, no matter how harsh his words or how cruel his outbursts. And then, one day, he finally agreed to marry her. Calvin was gentle with Jasmine in the early days of their marriage. Back then, she'd come close to loving him. She told herself that she'd stay by his side forever if he kept treating her this well, even if he never left his wheelchair. But then Sonia revealed the truth. Calvin had only married her because Olivia had started seeing someone else. His pride had taken the hit. And just like that, Jasmine's feelings for him became a joke. Now, their agreement had run its course. It was time for her to go. Calvin had never been hers to begin with. Their marriage was a transaction, meant to be walked away from without a backward glance. Three years of her life, traded for a villa in downtown Jesceria? She thought that it was fair enough.