Chapter 5

Jasmine counted the days and realized that there were still over 20 days left in the mandatory cooling-off period before her divorce would be finalized. "Still 20 more days to go. You know, my divorce hasn't been finalized yet," she said. Penny's voice softened with concern. "Calvin isn't giving you any trouble, is he?" 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 fight? But Jasmine only offered a self-deprecating smile. "Trust me, he won't. If anything, he's in a hurry to be rid of me." Calvin had Olivia now. So, why would he spare her a second thought? "Well, that's good," Penny said. Ever cautious, she handed Jasmine a business card. "Still, don't panic if anything happens. A friend of mine works at Jesceria's top law firm. She's the best at handling divorce cases. With her on your side, you'll walk away clean." Jasmine doubted she'd need it. Nevertheless, she took the card and smiled gratefully while saying, "Thanks, Penny." … Night had fallen by the time Jasmine returned 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 irritation 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 crouched beside her, applying ointment to her ankle. The scene before her burned. Jasmine clenched her jaw, biting back the reprimand clawing at her throat. Seeing Jasmine, Olivia rushed to explain, "Jasmine, I just slipped 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 you." 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 softened his tone to calm her. "Easy. It's nothing serious. Jasmine won't mind." His gaze snapped to Jasmine, his expression hardening. "That tone with Liv 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. Turning away, she headed for the stairs. Annoyed by her indifference, Calvin called out to her. "Jasmine!" She paused, looking back with an expression even icier than his. "What if I refuse?" Calvin's gaze darkened, his voice sharp with anger. "This is an order, not a discussion." He had spoken to Jasmine like this for three years. She used to bite back her words, but not anymore. What did she have to fear now? They were getting divorced anyway. Jasmine lifted her chin, her voice dripping with scorn. "Fine. I'll apologize. I'm so sorry for interrupting your little moment. But then again, a good wife is supposed to turn a blind eye to her husband's affair, isn't she?" "Jasmine!" Calvin's breath turned ragged, his temper igniting. "What the hell are you talking about?" Jasmine's gaze fell to his arm. "Did I misspeak, Mr. Ford? Then tell me—where exactly is your hand right now?" Only then did Calvin realize he was still gripping Olivia's waist. 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 tonight." With that, she limped out of the room. Calvin was about to continue berating Jasmine when Olivia's startled cry pierced the air. Jasmine turned to see Olivia lying at the foot of the stairs. Panicked, Calvin shoved Jasmine aside and rushed forward, sending her sprawling across the floor. The impact reignited the dull ache in her injured arm. "Liv! Are you hurt?" Calvin's voice was sharp with urgency. Then came the sound of the front door swinging open and slamming shut. A bitter smile curled Jasmine's lips. It seemed Calvin would be spending another night at Olivia's hospital bedside. She ripped the bedsheet away and hurled it into the trash. She refused to touch anything that had been tainted by that bitch. Calvin's WhatsApp message flashed on her screen when she finished. "Grab two sets of clothes from Liv's room and bring them here." Jasmine ignored it and switched off her phone. After washing up, she settled into the fresh sheets, forcing Calvin and Olivia out of her thoughts. Sleep claimed her almost instantly. … The next day, Vanessa arrived, her tone careful as she said, "Mrs. Ford, Mr. Ford sent me to pick up two sets of Ms. Zeller's clothes." Jasmine gestured toward a room upstairs. "That's Ms. Zeller's room." Vanessa fetched 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 if she struggled to believe them. Jasmine continued eating her cheesy scrambled eggs on toast, not even acknowledging her. Vanessa stood there, stung by the cold dismissal but powerless to react. There was a time when Jasmine would have done anything for Calvin. Now, she couldn't even be bothered to respond. Vanessa also felt 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 left. After breakfast, Jasmine ordered household essentials online for her new place. The second she finished, Calvin's WhatsApp call lit up her screen. 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 if I 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 mall. Per her formal request, Calvin would provide her with 30 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. Her monthly living expenses, meant for groceries and household basics, always left a little extra. Over three years, those scraps had quietly piled up into a nest egg 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—he felt nothing for her.