Chapter 17 – Is This The End?
I stared at Rose, stunned. “You… faked it?”
My voice barely came out. My throat was dry. My heart was pounding.
Before I could say anything more, Silas turned sharply toward her, his voice rising. “You did what Mom?”
Rose shifted uncomfortably. “Silas, I-
“You made me believe you were dying!” His eyes were wide with disbelief, “Why would you do that to me? To us?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” she said softly, her eyes pleading. “I just wanted you to fall in love again. That’s all I wanted.”
I stood frozen, trying to process everything. She lied. She manipulated us both.
Rose turned to me, her face calm despite the tension. “Jasmine, I understand if you want to walk away now. You’re free to leave.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came. My head was spinning.
Silas scoffed, shaking his head. “You lied to me, Mom. I can’t believe this.”
“Don’t act like you’re innocent,” I finally said, turning to face Silas.
He frowned. “What?”
“You lied too,” I said quietly. “You tricked your mom. You dragged me into a contract marriage- pretending we were in love just to make her happy.”
“That’s different,” Silas said quickly. “I thought she was dying. I wasn’t trying to manipulate her. was trying to give her peace.”
“And she was trying to give you love,” I replied, voice shaking. “Don’t you see that?”
He looked down, silent.
thought
“She was doing what she thought was right for you,” I said softly. “And you did what you tho was right for her.”
Silas ran a hand through his hair. “This whole thing is a mess.”
“I don’t know if I can keep doing this,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “I need to leave.”
“No,” he said immediately. “Jasmine–please–don’t go.”
“I have to,” I said. “I need space. I need time to think.”
“Let me drive you,” he offered.
I shook my head. “No, I want to walk. I need fresh air.”
Rose came closer to me and held my hand gently. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Truly. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”
I nodded. “I know. But right now, I just… I need to breathe.”
Silas sighed and stepped back. “Will you come back?”
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5:19 pm
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I’ll call when I’ve cleared my head.”
Rose pulled me into a quick hug. “Whatever you decide… don’t let fear stop you. I see the way you look at my son.”
I swallowed hard, my eyes stinging. “It’s not that simple.”
“I know,” she whispered. “But don’t let the past keep you from a future your deserve.”
I gave her a weak smile and stepped outside. The air was cool against my skin. I pulled out my phone and ordered an Uber.
As I waited, I kept thinking about Silas.
The way he smiled when he was sleepy.
The way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t watching.
The times we spent at the honeymoon games and the retreat.
And lastly the lake, what we’d shared on the boat. It was less than twenty four hours. I didn’t know I’d be coming back with him to say goodbye.
In just a few weeks, I’d grown closer to him than I had with Henry in years.
“Your ride’s here,” the driver called.
I nodded and got into the back seat.
“Hi,” the driver greeted politely.
“Hi,” I mumbled, staring out the window.
The car moved, but my mind stayed stuck in that house–with the lies, the confessions, and the confusing, raw emotions.
I blinked, and a tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it quickly, hoping the driver wouldn’t notice.
“You okay, miss?” he asked gently.
I nodded, lying. “Yeah. Just a long day.”
He gave me a sympathetic look through the mirror. “Love stuff?”
I smiled faintly. “Something like that.”
We fell into silence. My phone buzzed once–Silas’s name. I didn’t open the message.
When the car stopped, the driver turned. “We’re here.”
I pulled out some cash and handed it to him. “Thanks.””
As I stepped out and walked toward the door, it swung open.
Douglas stood there, jacket in hand, like he was just about to leave. His eyes widened when he
saw me.
“Jasmine? You’re back already?”
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Where’s Silas?” he asked, brows drawing together. “He didn’t drive you?”
I shook my head slowly.
“Hey…” he said gently, stepping closer.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
5:19 pm
I collapsed into his arms as the tears came, hot and fast.
5:19 pm £2
