Unraveling the Lie
Jasmine stood in the living room, her arms crossed, her gaze steady on Luke. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on her like an iron cage. Belle sat beside him, shifting awkwardly, but Jasmine had no sympathy left to spare.
Not for the man who had betrayed her.
Not for the woman who had taken her place.
Luke pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jasmine, I know this is a lot, but we need to talk about what happens next."
She let out a humorless laugh. "Next? Oh, Luke, you think there's a next after this?"
"I didn't say that—"
"No? Then tell me." She tilted her head, voice deceptively soft. "What exactly do you want from me?"
Luke's jaw tightened, but he didn't answer.
Belle, however, did.
"I don't want to take anything from you," Belle said quietly.
Jasmine turned to her, expression blank. "You already have."
Belle's face fell, but Jasmine had no patience for her guilt.
Luke sighed. "Jasmine, please, we're not enemies here."
She let out a soft, bitter chuckle. "Aren't we?"
His silence was answer enough.
She wasn't his fiancée anymore.
She was an obstacle.
And yet… he wasn't asking her to leave. Not yet.
That meant he was still hesitating.
Jasmine could work with that.
She took a deep breath, smoothing her expression into something unreadable. "Fine."
Luke's brows furrowed. "Fine?"
"I'll stay," she said simply.
Belle shifted beside him, uncomfortable.
Luke frowned. "Jasmine—"
"I told you already," she cut in. "You owe me, Luke."
His fists clenched.
He hated it.
Good.
"Since we're all being so honest," Jasmine continued, "tell me something."
Luke exhaled. "What?"
"When were you planning to tell me?"
Silence.
Jasmine lifted a brow. "Or were you going to wait until the baby was born and just hope I figured it out?"
Luke ran a hand through his hair. "I was waiting for the right time."
Jasmine gave a slow, mocking nod. "Ah. The right time."
Belle shifted again. "Jasmine, he really did—"
"Save it."
Belle flinched.
Jasmine turned back to Luke. "And if the baby wasn't involved? Would you still have told me?"
His hesitation was too long.
And that was all the answer she needed.
Her chest ached, but she pushed it aside.
"You know what, Luke?" Jasmine gave him a smile that wasn't a smile. "I don't think you deserve my anger."
He blinked. "What?"
"You don't deserve to see me cry. To see me beg. You don't deserve to see anything from me."
Luke opened his mouth, but Jasmine was already turning away.
Because if she stayed in that room one second longer, she might actually break.
And she refused to give him the satisfaction.
---
Fractures
Jasmine locked herself in the guest room that night.
Not their bedroom.
That wasn't hers anymore, was it?
She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.
She had spent years loving Luke.
And in one night, it was all gone.
She thought of the way he had hesitated, the way he had chosen Belle the moment her uncle stepped in.
A hollow ache settled in her chest.
She had been a fool.
A complete fool.
And yet…
She couldn't walk away. Not yet.
Not until she made him regret it.
Her fingers curled into the sheets.
Luke thought he could push her aside? Thought he could take everything from her and not pay the price?
Not happening.
She would show him exactly what he lost.
---
A New Morning, A New Reality
The next morning, Jasmine emerged from the guest room, fully dressed, head held high.
Belle was in the kitchen, making coffee.
Jasmine walked past her without a word.
She heard Belle hesitate before speaking. "I made an extra cup if you want—"
"I don't."
Belle fell silent.
Jasmine poured her own coffee, her movements sharp, precise.
A moment later, Luke appeared, looking cautious.
She didn't spare him a glance.
"I have work," she said simply.
Luke frowned. "You're going in today?"
Jasmine took a slow sip of coffee. "Why wouldn't I?"
Luke hesitated. "I just thought—"
She turned to face him. "What? That I'd sit around and cry?"
His throat bobbed.
Jasmine gave a small, cold smile. "You're not worth it."
Luke stiffened.
Belle looked between them, uneasy.
Jasmine finished her coffee, set the cup down, and grabbed her bag.
"I'll see you later."
With that, she walked out.
And for the first time since the betrayal, she felt in control.
---