Chapter 7

After storing her purchases in the new house and tidying up, Jasmine returned to the Ford residence. She flipped on the lights to find Calvin sitting on the couch, his expression stormy as he watched her. Slipping into her house shoes, she tried to walk past him without saying a single word, but he grabbed her wrist and hurled her onto the couch. A jolt of pain seared through her injured arm as it hit the cushion, her face paling instantly. Calvin had forgotten that she was hurt. His voice was as cold and accusing as ever. "What the hell was today about, Jasmine? You've got some nerve to block my number. And I told you to go to the hospital. Why didn't you?" He'd taken his bad moods out on her for the past three years. The verbal abuse was the least of it. Sometimes, when anger overwhelmed him, he'd shove her. The worst incident left her crashing into a dresser, her back covered in bruises, bedridden for three days. Afterward, he'd apologize, swearing that he hadn't meant it. And she, knowing he was sick, had endured it. But now, he could stand on his own again. He wasn't the same broken Calvin who had given up on himself. Jasmine was done letting him treat her this way. Her voice turned glacial as she said, "You can block my number, but I'm not allowed to block you on WhatsApp? And I'm not Olivia's nanny. Her injuries aren't my responsibility. I have no duty to look after her." Her accusation threw Calvin off. He checked his list of blocked contacts, and there it was—Jasmine's number. The memory came back in fragments. He'd blocked her but couldn't recall why. Running a hand through his hair in frustration, he fixed her with a weary stare. Jasmine had always been so docile and obedient, but had started making waves recently. It had been ages since he'd last tasted her cooking, and to his surprise, he found himself craving it. Calvin wasn't completely insensitive. Suddenly, he realized just how much he'd been neglecting her. Adopting a gentler tone, he tried to coax her back into her domestic routine. "Let's call it even on the WhatsApp blocking. You don't have to visit Liv at the hospital, but I expect three home-cooked meals delivered daily." He produced a supplementary credit card, continuing, "If you're upset, go shopping. But stop this childish feud with Sonia. It's embarrassing. Divorce was never on my mind, and I don't want to hear another word about it. "Here's a supplementary credit card with a 200 thousand dollars monthly limit. Think of it as your allowance. Delilah's medical bills are covered for now, but she'll need continuous nutritional support. This way, you won't have to come to me for every expense." Calvin knew Jasmine needed money. He figured that she'd fall right back in line with a little extra cash in her pocket. Jasmine stared at the supplementary credit card, a bitter irony twisting in her chest. For three years, every time she'd asked for money, he'd given her that infuriating, imperious look to humiliate her. And now he wanted to hand her a supplementary credit card? She didn't want it. The three-year agreement was over, and Delilah's condition had improved. She didn't need him anymore. All she wanted was to walk away for good. Jasmine pushed the credit card away, her voice dripping with scorn. "No. I don't need your money." Calvin frowned, studying her face. "200 thousand dollars isn't enough? How much more do you want?" He believed that he'd been more than generous. Even without love binding them, he'd covered her living expenses and Delilah's medical bills without complaint. What else could she possibly demand? Jasmine's voice was flat as she said, "I don't need anything from you. All I want is the divorce. You've already signed the divorce agreement anyway. Let's just end this cleanly." "What divorce agreement?" Calvin asked, bewildered. He didn't know when he'd ever signed anything like that. Jasmine scoffed. "Don't you remember? Last time—" Before she could finish speaking, Calvin's phone rang. He answered immediately, and Sonia's panicked voice crackled through. "Cal, it's Liv. She's collapsed!" Calvin's face twisted in alarm. "What? Hang on. I'm coming right now." He turned and strode out without even sparing Jasmine a glance. She knew that this was how it would always be. Olivia had always come first. Soon, she'd be gone, and he could finally be with Olivia, just like he'd always wanted. And Jasmine? She'd finally be free. … Calvin hadn't been home in a week, but Jasmine knew better than to pry and risk being met with his indifference. She unlocked her phone and scrolled on it absently until Sonia's Instagram update flashed on the screen. It was a photo of a plane ticket with the caption, "I'm so lucky to hitch a ride on Cal and Liv's getaway to go aurora hunting in Ilvernia!" So that was it. Calvin and Olivia were off on some trip. It was no wonder he hadn't even had Vanessa remind her to deliver Olivia's meals. Jasmine wasn't jealous. She just thought that Olivia should've fallen harder back then. Just then, her phone rang. It was a phone call from Amelia. She asked, "Jas, you're coming to my birthday party next week, right?" After a beat, Jasmine said, "Yeah. I'll be there." Amelia had treated her well. As such, Jasmine was willing to attend Amelia's birthday party one last time before the divorce. Amelia's face brightened, then dimmed almost instantly. "Honestly, Jas, I've always been fond of you. It's a shame Calvin never knew how to appreciate you." In Amelia's eyes, Jasmine might not have come from the best background, but she had something Olivia lacked—restraint. It made her far more suited to be Calvin's wife. But Calvin was immovable. Since he couldn't let go of Olivia, Amelia had no choice but to let Jasmine go. … Calvin and Olivia returned to the country just in time for Amelia's birthday party the following day. Since he hadn't come home, Jasmine went straight to Ford Manor. After entering the banquet hall, she spotted him in his sharply tailored suit, with Olivia glowing beside him in a champagne off-the-shoulder gown. Arm in arm, they looked every inch the perfect couple. Guests swarmed around them, murmuring praises about what an ideal match they made. Olivia's smile shone brighter with each compliment. Jasmine stayed in the banquet hall's corner, making no move to approach them. Calvin noticed her just then. His brow furrowed as he closed the distance between them. "What brings you here?" The gathering consisted entirely of Jesceria's elite, and he couldn't risk exposing their marriage. "Amelia invited me," Jasmine answered evenly. "Wish her happy birthday and go. Don't let anyone know who you are," Calvin said, impatience sharpening his tone. With that, he turned sharply and walked away. When someone asked who she was, Calvin barely glanced at Jasmine before replying, "My assistant." A bitter smile curved Jasmine's lips. To him, she had never been worthy of being his wife. He only acknowledged her as such at private gatherings with the Fords' closest friends and associates, but never at important events like this, surrounded by society's elite. Just then, Olivia took the stage. Her fingers danced across the piano keys, weaving an elegant melody that floated through the air. The refined notes drew soft murmurs of admiration from the assembled guests. As the final chord faded, she descended and slipped her arm through Calvin's. "Ms. Zeller, you're a graduate of Regal Academy of Musical Arts in Elandra, I presume? Such remarkable talent!" a guest commented. Olivia simply responded with a demure smile as she pressed herself closer to Calvin. The flood of compliments reflected on him, too, painting his expression with quiet pride. To Calvin, Olivia embodied perfection—her privileged upbringing, striking beauty, elite education, and artistic brilliance made her his ideal match. And Jasmine? She belonged at home, seeing to his needs. He believed that taking her out in public would only be a source of embarrassment.