Chapter 5 Jasmine Dead?
Henry’s Pov
I woke up that morning expecting the usual–warm toast and fresh fruit. But instead, the house was too quiet.
The dining table was empty. No breakfast.
My brows furrowed. “Where’s Jasmine?” I asked, looking around.
The kids were scattered around the living room, playing with toys and giggling like nothing was
wrong.
“Hey,” I said louder. “Has anyone seen Jasmine?”
They all froze.
I stepped closer. “Well?”
Camden scratched his head. “Um… we saw her leave early.”
“What?”
“She left this morning,” Chloe added. “Before sunrise.”
“Why?” I asked. “Did she say anything?”
They all shook their heads quickly.
I walked upstairs to her room. Opened the door.
Everything looked untouched–except her closet. Empty.
Drawers half–open. A few things missing. No suitcase, but she’d packed up.
I stood there for a long moment, not saying a word.
She really left.
Back downstairs, I asked the maids, “Did you see Jasmine this morning?”
“Yes, sir,” one of them replied. “She rushed out. Didn’t even take breakfast.”
Another nodded. “She looked pale. Like she hadn’t slept.”
“Why didn’t anyone stop her?” I snapped.
They bowed slightly. “We thought she was going to the market. She usually goes alone.”
“Fine. Make breakfast,” I ordered, walking back to the dining table.
They served us a few minutes later.
The kids started eating but frowned almost immediately.
“This tastes weird,” Clara muttered.
“I don’t like it,” Charlotte said, dropping her spoon.
I took a bite. It was bland. Cold. Almost bitter.
“What is this?” I asked the maid.
She bowed. “Your usual, sir. Eggs, toast, and sausage.”
“This is not our usual.”
5:14 pm A
Another maid stepped forward. “Jasmine always cooked separately for you, the children, and Grandfather. She made every meal herself.”
I was quiet.
“She memorized everyone’s preferences,” the maid added. “Even the temperature of the tea.”
I pushed my plate away. “No wonder we never complained.”
I pulled out my phone and called her.
Voicemail.
I tried again. Still voicemail.
Something wasn’t right.
Just then, Grandfather walked in, holding his cane. “Where’s Jasmine?” he asked, looking
around.
“I don’t know,” I replied. “She left early.”
He frowned. “She didn’t bring my chamomile tea. That girl never forgets my tea.”
“I’ll have the maids bring it.”
“I don’t want them. I want her,” he said sternly. “She’s the only one who brews it right.”
“I don’t know where she is,” I said again. “She’s not answering her phone.”
Before he could reply, a guard ran into the room, panting.
“Sir–Master Henry!”
“What is it?” I asked, standing.
The guard held something in his hand. A piece of fabric.
Blood–stained.
I stepped back. “Where did you find that?”
“By the cliff edge, sir. Outer perimeter.”
My heart dropped. “Cliff?”
“Yes. I was doing rounds when I saw something odd in the grass. Then I saw this…” He held up the fabric again.
I took it from him. My hands trembled.
It was Jasmine’s. Her favorite lavender blouse.
“Blood?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yes, sir. Also…”
He looked at Grandfather nervously.
“Speak!” Grandfather barked.
“There were six crossbows hidden in the woods nearby.”
“What?” I snapped. “Crossbows?”
“Yes, sir. All loaded. Used recently.”
I didn’t waste time. “Take us there. Now.”
Chapter 5 – Jasmine Dead?
En
5:14 pm 50 50 50.
We rushed to the cliff. Grandfather followed, his cane striking the ground angrily.
When we reached the edge, I saw it.
Blood. Still fresh.
Dried droplets along the grass. Drag marks.
And far off, nestled in bushes–six crossbows.
My stomach turned.
“Is she… gone?” Grandfather asked quietly.
“I–I don’t know,” I whispered. “She might’ve…” I couldn’t finish.
Grandfather turned red with rage. “WHO DID THIS?”
The guards stood silent.
He turned back toward the house and stormed in. “I’ll find out myself!”
I followed behind, feeling sick.
Inside, he marched straight to the children.
“You six!” he shouted. “Tell me the truth. Now!”
They looked confused.
Grandfather pointed at them. “Do you know anything about the crossbows near the cliff?”
The kids looked at one another.
Silence.
“Answer me!” he roared.
“They’re just kids,” I said quietly. “They couldn’t have-”
“We pranked her!” Chloe suddenly blurted out, crying.
“What?” I gasped.
“We were just playing,” Caleb added. “We didn’t mean to hurt her,”
“What do you mean by playing?” Grandfather asked, his voice ice.
“We found the crossbows in the basement,” Cole whispered. “We thought it would be funny to act like guards and surprise Jasmine…”
“We didn’t know it would actually shoot!” Clara sobbed. “We didn’t load them!”
“They just went off,” Chloe cried. “All of them. At once.”
I
My legs gave way and I slumped onto the couch.
“She fell…” Caleb whispered. “She screamed. Then she disappeared.”
Grandfather shook with anger. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“We were scared,” they cried together.
Grandfather turned to me. “Call the guards. Search the base of that cliff. Now!”
I fumbled for my phone and called. “Search the cliffs. Every inch. Find her. Dead or alive–just
find her!”
Then Grandfather suddenly staggered.
1592
5:15 pm
“Grandpa?” I rushed to him.
He clutched his chest and dropped to the floor.
“GRANDPA!” I yelled.
Chapter – A New Arrangement
I stared at Douglas, confused. “What do you mean Silas is my husband–to–be?”
Douglas rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my eyes. “I should have waited. Let you recover first. I just… thought it was the right time.”
“Douglas,” I said, my voice low but sharp. “I’m still married. Or did you forget?”
Silas stepped forward. He had calm eyes. A steady voice. “You don’t need to worry, Jasmine. We’ll handle that. Your marriage to Henry can be dissolved quickly.”
I looked at him. He didn’t seem like a bad person. Still, I wasn’t ready to be someone’s wife again.
Silas continued, “I apologize for how this was brought to you. Douglas got ahead of himself. When you’re fully recovered, we can talk properly.”
He left quietly, giving me a small nod.
I turned to Douglas. “You planned this?”
He raised both hands, trying to smile. “Don’t glare at me like that.
I folded my arms across the blanket. “That’s not an answer.”
“Rest first. I’ll explain later, I promise.”
He kissed my forehead gently and walked out.
need rest.”
I stared down at my arms. Bandaged. Weak. Pain throbbed in my shoulder.
Those kids… my children… they really aimed at me with those arrows. No hesitation. No regret.
I shut my eyes. My heart hurt more than my body.
I dozed off.
When I woke again, Douglas was beside me, shaking my arm gently.
“We’ve landed,” he said softly. “Let’s get you off the plane.”
The nurse helped me into a wheelchair. I was still too weak to walk.
As we rolled down the ramp, I gasped.
A giant mansion stood ahead. Grand. Elegant. Too perfect.
I turned to Douglas. “Who owns this?”
He smiled and looked at Silas, who stood at the base of the stairs, waiting “This is our home.
We’ve been here a while now.”
“Our?” I blinked. “You live here?”
Douglas nodded. “Yes.”
‘How can you afford this?”
He chuckled. “Calm down, Jasmine. I’ll explain everything.”
The nurse pushed me inside. The interior of the house was even more beautiful. Everything smelled fresh. Like lemon and new furniture.
A row of maids and staff stood waiting. Each bowed politely.
‘Welcome home, Miss Jasmine,” one said.
72
5:15 POL
I blinked. “Home?”
“Come on,” Douglas said, helping me up the elevator and into a cozy room.
The nurse helped me onto the bed, adjusted the pillows, and left silently.
Douglas came in, his face serious now. He pulled a chair beside me.
“I owe you the full story,” he said.
I nodded. “You think?”
“When you left ten years ago, I was angry,” he began. “But I knew you had your reasons. I stayed behind. Struggled. Starved. But I kept going.”
I felt guilt creep into my chest. “Douglas…”
He waved me off. “I’m not blaming you. I just want you to know what happened. I got a job working under Silas. I was young, broke, and desperate. But I proved myself.”
I leaned forward slightly. “What did you do?”
“Seven years ago, I stopped an attack on Silas. Some people inside his company wanted him dead. I exposed them. Saved his life. His business.”
My eyes widened. “And he just… rewarded you?”
“He made me his personal assistant,” Douglas said with a small smile. “Paid well. Trained me. After some years, I started my own company. With his backing.”
“You’re partners now?” I asked, surprised.
He nodded. “Yes. Business partners. Friends, too.”
I let out a slow breath. “I’m proud of you, Douglas. You really made something of yourself.”
He looked down. “I wish you hadn’t left me. But I’m not angry anymore.”
I reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry I abandoned you.”
He squeezed my fingers gently. “You did what you thought was best.”
I pulled my hand back. “So… this marriage with Silas?”
Douglas leaned back in the chair. “Silas’s mother is dying. Her last wish is to see him get married. She has only three months left.”
My brows knit. “Okay. But what does that have to do with me?”
“Silas was about to hire someone. A fake bride. Just to fulfill her wish.”
I frowned. “So you offered me instead?”
“You called me that day you wanted to leave Henry,” Douglas said calmly. “You wanted to leave that life behind. I thought… why not suggest you instead of a stranger? You’d be safe. You’d get something out of it.”
“What exactly?” I asked.
“Money. Security. A clean slate. And revenge.”
I looked at him for a long moment. Then I looked away.
“I married Henry for love,” I whispered. “Look where that got me.”
Пnunise esid nothing
2005
5:15 pm.
Douglas said nothing.
I turned back to him. “If I agree to this… there will be rules. And I want to know how long this farce lasts.”
Douglas smiled. “You’ll need to discuss that with Silas.
As if summoned, Silas walked into the room. Calm. Clean. Cold in some ways, but polite.
He looked at me and nodded. “Douglas told me you’re willing to help.”
I looked back at him. “Depends on the terms,”
Silas walked to the window. “Three months. That’s all. My mother has three months left. She wants to see me married before she dies.”
“And after that?” I asked.
“We annul the marriage,” Silas said simply. “Quietly. Cleanly.”
I tilted my head. “And what do I get?
“One hundred million dollars,” he said without blinking.
My mouth parted slightly. “Excuse me?”
“One hundred million. For three months. And my help. I’ll make sure the people who hurt your pay. All of them.”
I blinked. “All I want is to see Henry and Bianca ruined. That’s my justice.”
Silas’s voice was firm. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”
I stared at him. This wasn’t a man who made empty promises.
Douglas smiled. “So…. deal?”
I stared at the ceiling, thinking. My heart was tired. My soul, worn out.
Marriage for love had broken me.
Maybe marriage for power would help me rebuild.
I turned my head to them slowly.
“There will be no touching,” I said quietly. “And I decide what the world sees.”
Silas nodded. “Understood.”
“I’ll wear a ring,” I added. “But I’m no man’s wife behind closed doors.”
“Fair,” Silas replied. “This is just business.”
Douglas sighed with relief. “You’re doing the right thing.
I closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
But I knew one thing.
If this was my second chance, I’d play by my rules.
Chapter
5:15 pm
Henry’s Pov
