Jasmine’s Pov
Chapter 2 The Gift Box
“I want a divorce, Henry,” I whispered.
He blinked, confused. “What… what are you saying?”
“I’m done.”
He stepped closer, frowning. “Is this about the kids? They’re just acting out, Jasmine. You know how they are.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Acting out? They almost killed me.”
“They’re just kids-”
“They’re monsters, Henry. And you let them become this.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up a hand.
“No more, Henry. I gave you ten years, I gave you everything. And all you did was take, take, take… You never even looked at me as your wife.”
His face turned hard. “Don’t be dramatic. You know I had to marry you because of the kids. Evelyn made me.”
“And I stayed. For them. For you. But not anymore.”
I pushed past him, tears blurring my vision.
“I’m leaving, Henry. For good.”
A knock on the door made us both jump.
“Sir, it’s time. Grandfather’s entrance,” a servant called from the hallway.
Henry straightened his tie, fixing his mask of perfection. “Come on, Jasmine. Clean yourself up. You’re still playing the piano for Grandfather. We can discuss this nonsense later.”
“No, Henry. I said I’m done.”
His hand twitched like he wanted to grab me but stopped himself.
Instead, he gave me one last cold glance and walked out, closing the door softly behind him like nothing had happened.
That was Henry Darrin. Always pretending. Always brushing things under the carpet.
I sank onto the edge of the bed, exhausted, broken… defeated.
But then my gaze caught something odd.
A small slip of paper sticking out from beneath my pillow.
I frowned, pulling it out with trembling fingers.
Photos. No… my only photo.
The one of my parents. The one I kept hidden, tucked away safely from everything in this cruel house.
But now… shredded. Torn into a hundred tiny pieces.
Each tear sharp. Clean. Intentional.
Chapter 2 – The Gift Box
5:13 pm.
My breath hitched as I covered my mouth with my hand, but the sob forced its way out anyway.
Then I noticed the note.
Written in childish, messy handwriting.
“We told you to leave. Next time, it won’t just be a photo.”
I crumbled the pieces into my fist, shaking uncontrollably.
Why? Why this?
That picture was all I had left of my parents. My family. My past.
I pressed the pieces to my chest and let the grief consume me.
Memories flooded my mind–Clara crawling into my bed when she had nightmares. Calet clinging to my hand when he stuttered in public. Chloe hiding behind me when she was scared.
All those nights I stayed up with them. All those tears I wiped. All those lullabies I sang.
But they never saw me as their mother. Not even for a second.
And now they wanted me gone. Like I was nothing.
I stood up shakily, wiping my face, and began packing.
Only essentials.
Wallet. Phone. My mother’s old scarf.
At the back of the closet, I found a small velvet box I had forgotten about.
The bracelet.
My mother’s bracelet.
I opened the box, only to find it crushed. Snapped clean in two.
More of me… destroyed.
I placed the broken bracelet carefully in my bag. No tears this time. My heart was already numb. Downstairs, the celebration was roaring. Laughter, Clinking glasses. Henry smiling with the
guests.
Like I never existed.
I wrapped my sleeves tightly over the ant bites still burning on my skin, there was nothing I could do about my swollen hand as I opened the door.
I heard them before I saw them.
“Wicked witch changed her dress,” Clara snickered.
“Doesn’t fix her face,” Cole laughed.
“Shhh,” Charlotte smirked. “She still has to play the piano. Let’s not ruin Grandpa’s party… yet.”
Their words stabbed me, but I kept walking.
Fake smiles. Fake grace.
I sat at the piano, hands trembling as I forced my fingers to play the song I had practiced for weeks even though my fingers hurt like hell.
All eyes on me. Whispers. Gasps.
2/3 5.62
5:13 pm
But I kept playing.
After the song, I slipped out into the garden.
I needed air. I needed to breathe. I needed Miso.
But Grandfather’s voice stopped me.
“Jasmine.”
I turned, blinking back tears as I faced the only man in this family who ever treated me with a shred of kindness.
“Happy Birthday, Grandpa,” I whispered.
He frowned, taking in my bruised face. “On my happiest day, you look the saddest. What happened?”
Before I could answer, they appeared.
All six of them. And Henry.
My heart dropped.
Grandfather turned to them. “Did you attack Jasmine?”
Henry sighed, already irritated. “Jasmine, not tonight. I told you, we’d talk later.”
Grandfather held up his hand, silencing him. “Kids?”
“It was just a prank,” Cole lied smoothly.
“Apologize,” Grandfather ordered.
Clara stepped forward, wide–eyed and innocent. “We’re sorry, Aunty Jasmine. We didn’t mean it.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Caleb added. “We even brought you a gift.”
I froze as Clara handed me a neatly wrapped red box.
“You’ll love it,” she said sweetly.
Something inside me screamed not to take it.
But Henry glared at me. “They apologized, Jasmine. Don’t be petty.”
Grandfather nodded. “Accept their apology, Jasmine. Children make mistakes.”
With shaking hands, I peeled back the ribbon, my breath shallow.
The moment the lid opened, the world tilted.
I screamed.
Miso, my puppy was lying limp and lifeless inside the box. His white fur stained red.
And underneath him, another note.
“You’ll be next if you don’t leave.”
I stumbled back, the box falling from my hands.
Henry froze. Grandfather mumbled in shock.
The children… they just smirked and turned away.
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see. Just Miso’s lifeless eyes haunting me.
