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 crowd finally dispersed, she stepped forward and offered her gift to Amelia. Amelia's expression twisted with something unreadable at the sight of her. "You'll receive the divorce decree in five days. Jas, I couldn't bear to see you go." It had all started after Calvin's accident left him paralyzed. His fury had taken on a life of its own. He lashed out at everyone, his curses sharp as flung stones. Amelia had hired a dozen caregivers, but fear drove every one of them away. In desperation, she'd turned to a final, unthinkable solution—looking for a stand-in. And by some twist of fate, she'd found Jasmine, who was gentle and kind-hearted. Jasmine met Amelia's gaze and offered a gentle smile. "I'll visit when I can, Mrs. Ford." The divorce was final now, and returning to formalities felt like the right thing to do. Amelia nodded, her eyes red-rimmed. 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 transfer." Jasmine glanced at the card but didn't refuse it. Even if her marriage to Calvin had been one of convenience, three years of service had earned her 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 transferring 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 kick her out." Then, she whirled toward Jasmine and spat, "You married Cal, lived in a villa, and had maids at your beck 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 on a whim. 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 Jas 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 nurse or maid ever could. She actually cared for him." She hesitated, then laid bare the cold truth. "This money serves two purposes—compensation and insurance. That way, no one can accuse Cal of sleeping with her for three years and throwing her away like nothing!" A million dollars and a villa were pocket change to the Fords. To them, the perfect ending would be Jasmine fading away without leaving a single trace behind. Sonia couldn't resist pressing further. "Doesn't this mean that Cal can finally marry Liv 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 fickle-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 Olivia's voice sliced through the air. "Jasmine!" Olivia strode toward her with Calvin's suit jacket hanging over her shoulders. Jasmine had no interest in talking to her, but Olivia wasn't the type to let her escape so easily. Jasmine asked, "What do you want?" With a smile, Olivia pressed a silk scarf into her hands. "I stained this earlier. Cal bought it for me in Ilvernia, and it cost a fortune. Now it needs to be washed by hand. 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 insult. "Get lost. I'm not your maid!" She turned to leave, but Olivia grabbed her wrist, her voice oozing condescension. It was nothing like the fragile, innocent tone she used with Calvin. "You dare tell me to get lost? Who do you think you are? You're just a maid. Did you actually believe that you were Mrs. Ford?" The venom in her words ignited 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 feet. "Liv, are you okay?" Olivia pressed her hand to her face, tears glistening in her eyes as she sobbed against him. "I'm fine. Cal, please don't be angry. Jas didn't mean it. She's just upset because I've been keeping you from going home to her. I understand. It's my fault..." Calvin's gaze 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. Her expression 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 stormed 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." Jasmine 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 corner 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—bleak and 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 silence outside. "Someone jumped!" Her tears spilled over at once, and in that instant, her world came crashing down. Jasmine made it through the night in the elevator, fighting back her fear. The property managers didn't open the doors until morning. 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?"