Unraveling Threads
Jasmine had always been good at maintaining control.
Even when her world was crumbling, she wore her armor well—sarcasm, confidence, and just the right amount of indifference.
But control was a funny thing.
Because the more you fought to keep it, the faster it slipped through your fingers.
And today?
Today, Jasmine was dangerously close to losing it.
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Belle's New Request
Jasmine had just stepped into the living room when she found Belle waiting for her.
The sight alone was enough to sour her mood.
Belle clasped her hands together, hesitating. "Jasmine, I was wondering if we could talk?"
Jasmine exhaled slowly, forcing a smile. "Oh? You finally want to have a conversation with the woman whose life you ruined?"
Belle flinched. "I know this situation is complicated—"
"Complicated?" Jasmine cut in, laughing dryly. "Belle, you're living in my house with my fiancé after he cheated on me with you. There's nothing complicated about it. It's just disgusting."
Belle swallowed hard but held her ground. "I—I wanted to ask for a favor."
Jasmine blinked. Then, she laughed—a full-bodied, disbelieving laugh.
"A favor?" Jasmine repeated. "Oh, this is rich."
Belle shifted on her feet. "It's about the baby."
Jasmine's amusement died instantly.
Belle hesitated before continuing. "I want Luke's name on the birth certificate."
Jasmine's fingers curled into fists. "You want what?"
Belle swallowed. "It's important for the baby's future. And since we're all living together, I thought—"
Jasmine stepped closer, her voice cold. "You thought what, exactly? That I'd happily support your little fantasy of playing house with my fiancé?"
Belle's face paled. "I—I didn't mean—"
Jasmine exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "You've got some nerve."
Belle took a step back, but before Jasmine could say another word, Luke entered the room.
His eyes immediately locked onto Jasmine, sensing the tension. "What's going on?"
Jasmine smirked, tilting her head. "Oh, nothing. Belle was just asking if you'd like to officially claim her child."
Luke tensed. "Belle…"
Belle looked down, her confidence faltering. "I just thought—"
"You thought wrong," Jasmine cut in.
Luke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Jasmine, can we not do this right now?"
Jasmine's smirk widened. "Oh, don't worry, Luke. I insist."
---
The Conversation That Should Have Happened Sooner
Later that evening, Luke found Jasmine on the balcony, staring at the city lights.
He hesitated before speaking. "You didn't have to humiliate her like that."
Jasmine let out a quiet laugh. "Really? I think I was pretty gentle."
Luke sighed, stepping closer. "She's trying."
Jasmine scoffed. "Trying to replace me?"
"That's not what this is."
Jasmine turned to face him. "Then what is this, Luke? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're happily building a future with the woman you cheated on me with."
Luke rubbed his temple. "I didn't plan for this to happen."
Jasmine's eyes darkened. "Neither did I. But here we are."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.
Then, Jasmine exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. "You know what pisses me off the most?"
Luke looked at her warily. "What?"
"That you get to walk around like you're the victim."
Luke frowned. "I never said—"
"No, but you act like it," Jasmine snapped. "Like you had no choice in any of this. Like you just woke up one day and—oops—you had a pregnant mistress and a fiancée with a missing kidney."
Luke flinched at her words.
Jasmine pressed on. "I gave you everything, Luke. And all I ever asked was for you to love me the same way."
Luke's jaw tightened. "I did love you."
Jasmine let out a humorless laugh. "Yeah? And what exactly do you call this?"
He opened his mouth but said nothing.
Because what was there to say?
Jasmine smiled bitterly. "That's what I thought."
She turned to leave, but before she could step inside, Luke's voice stopped her.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
Jasmine stilled, gripping the doorframe.
Then, without looking back, she whispered, "You didn't just hurt me, Luke."
She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze hollow.
"You destroyed me."
And with that, she walked away, leaving Luke standing alone in the cold night air, feeling more lost than ever.
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