A House That Isn't a Home
Jasmine Carter had spent years building a life with Luke Caldwell.
And now, standing in their shared bedroom—her bedroom—she realized just how much of that life had been a lie.
The bed they had once shared felt foreign.
The walls that had once been filled with love felt hollow.
And the man who had promised her forever?
He was nothing but a stranger.
---
The Morning After
Jasmine barely slept.
When morning came, she forced herself out of bed, ignoring the dull ache in her chest.
By now, she was used to the pain.
She made her way downstairs, only to find Belle Anderson already in the kitchen.
Belle, dressed in one of Luke's shirts, was making coffee like she owned the damn house.
Jasmine's hands clenched into fists.
Belle noticed her presence and smirked. "Good morning."
Jasmine gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Belle."
Belle casually poured herself a cup of coffee. "You look tired. Rough night?"
Jasmine didn't take the bait.
Instead, she walked past Belle and grabbed a mug from the cabinet.
She was done playing games.
Belle, however, wasn't finished. "I spoke to Luke last night," she said, taking a sip of her coffee. "He's really struggling, you know."
Jasmine turned to her, unimpressed. "Struggling?"
Belle nodded, feigning sympathy. "He's been carrying a lot of guilt. I told him he shouldn't feel trapped just because of… you know." She gestured vaguely. "The kidney."
Jasmine exhaled slowly.
She had spent months holding everything in.
But this?
This was her breaking point.
She set her mug down and turned to Belle, voice dangerously calm.
"You don't belong here."
Belle raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Jasmine stepped closer. "You walked into my home, took my fiancé, and now you want to lecture me on what he should and shouldn't feel?"
Belle smirked. "Luke loves me."
Jasmine chuckled darkly. "Is that what you tell yourself?"
Belle's smirk faltered.
Jasmine leaned in, lowering her voice. "Luke loved me when he begged me to save his life."
Belle stiffened.
Jasmine smirked. "Tell me, Belle—what have you done for him besides spread your legs?"
Belle's expression darkened. "You're pathetic."
Jasmine tilted her head. "And you're temporary."
Belle's face reddened.
Jasmine picked up her coffee and walked away, leaving Belle seething.
---
Luke's Excuses
Later that evening, Jasmine found herself sitting in the dimly lit living room.
Luke walked in, hesitating when he saw her.
She sipped her wine, unbothered. "Something you need?"
Luke ran a hand through his hair. "Jas, can we talk?"
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Now you want to talk?"
Luke sighed. "Belle told me about this morning."
Jasmine smirked. "Of course she did."
Luke frowned. "Why are you making this harder than it has to be?"
Jasmine laughed, genuinely amused. "Harder? You made this hard the second you brought another woman into our home."
Luke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Jasmine, I—"
She held up a hand. "Let me guess. You didn't mean to hurt me? You were confused? You feel guilty?"
Luke looked away.
Jasmine scoffed. "Of course you do."
She leaned back, sipping her wine. "Tell me, Luke. When you were dying in that hospital bed, did you feel guilty taking my kidney?"
Luke flinched. "Jasmine—"
"Did you feel trapped when I was holding your hand, promising you'd be okay?"
Luke clenched his jaw. "That's not fair."
Jasmine smirked. "Neither is betrayal."
Silence.
Then, Luke spoke, his voice quiet. "I never wanted to hurt you."
Jasmine's chest tightened.
For a split second, she saw the man she had fallen in love with.
But she knew better now.
She set her glass down and stood. "You already did."
She walked away, leaving Luke standing in the darkness.
And for the first time in months—she didn't look back.
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