Cracks in the Foundation
Jasmine Carter didn't cry anymore.
Tears were for the woman who still believed in love.
And she wasn't that woman anymore.
---
Belle's Little Victory
The next morning, Jasmine walked into the dining room, expecting the usual tension.
Instead, she found Belle seated at the head of the table.
Luke stood beside her, looking hesitant but silent.
Jasmine's eyes flickered between them before landing on Belle, who was smiling.
"Good morning, Jasmine," Belle said, voice sweet—too sweet.
Jasmine crossed her arms. "You're in my seat."
Belle took a sip of her tea, unbothered. "Luke thought it would be good for us to… adjust. You know, since I'll be around for a while."
Jasmine's gaze sharpened.
Luke avoided her eyes.
Belle tilted her head. "I hope you don't mind."
Jasmine smirked. "Not at all."
She walked over to Luke, placing a hand on his shoulder, her touch deceptively gentle.
"You should sit too, darling," she murmured, voice laced with mock affection. "After all, you owe me your life."
Luke tensed.
Belle's smirk wavered.
Jasmine sat in another chair, watching as discomfort settled between them.
It wasn't much, but it was enough.
---
Rita's Warning
Later that day, Jasmine met her sister, Rita Carter, for lunch at an upscale café downtown.
Rita, as always, looked flawless—red lipstick, sleek black dress, and an expression that could cut steel.
She took one look at Jasmine and sighed. "You look like hell."
Jasmine took a sip of her coffee. "Thanks, sis."
Rita leaned in. "Tell me you're finally kicking that bastard out."
Jasmine glanced out the window. "It's not that simple."
Rita scoffed. "It is. You say 'Get out,' and then you throw his things into the street."
Jasmine smirked. "You make it sound easy."
Rita's expression softened. "Jas, you're better than this."
Jasmine sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know."
Rita reached across the table, taking her hand. "Then why are you still there?"
Jasmine hesitated.
She could give a hundred reasons.
She loved him.
She hoped he'd change.
She didn't want to be alone.
But instead, she said, "Because he owes me."
Rita exhaled sharply. "Jasmine—"
Jasmine pulled her hand back. "I saved his life, Rita. And now he's treating me like I'm the problem?"
Her voice rose. "He brought that woman into our home. He lets her disrespect me. And yet, I'm supposed to just walk away?"
Rita studied her carefully. "Are you punishing him?"
Jasmine froze.
The question lingered, unsettling.
Rita leaned back. "If you stay, Jas… make sure it's for you. Not for revenge."
Jasmine swallowed hard.
For the first time, she wasn't sure.
---
Luke's True Colors
That evening, Jasmine returned home to find Luke waiting in the living room.
His arms were crossed, his jaw tight.
She sighed. "What now?"
Luke didn't waste time. "You embarrassed Belle this morning."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Did I?"
Luke clenched his fists. "Jas, I'm serious."
Jasmine scoffed. "So am I."
Luke exhaled, exasperated. "Why are you doing this?"
Jasmine tilted her head. "Doing what?"
Luke ran a hand through his hair. "Making everything harder than it has to be."
Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, Luke. You made it hard the moment you walked in with her."
Luke's eyes darkened. "You're holding this over my head."
Jasmine's smile faded. "No, Luke." She stepped closer, voice firm. "I gave you my kidney because I loved you. I trusted you. And you threw it away."
Silence.
Luke swallowed hard. "I never wanted—"
Jasmine cut him off. "It doesn't matter what you wanted."
She turned away, heading upstairs.
And this time, she didn't look back.
---
The Crumbling Illusion
Jasmine Carter had once believed in love.
She had believed in forever.
Now, as she stood in the same house where her dreams had once flourished, she realized something terrifying.
She wasn't the woman Luke Caldwell had fallen in love with.
And he wasn't the man she had given her heart to.
The illusion was shattering.
---
A New Rule in the House
Jasmine walked into the living room that evening, fully prepared for another round of silent war.
Instead, she found Luke sitting on the couch, looking tense.
Belle sat beside him, her hand on his arm, playing the role of the supportive mistress.
Jasmine didn't bother hiding her amusement. "What now?"
Belle smiled sweetly. "We wanted to talk."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. We.
Luke cleared his throat. "Belle thinks it would be best if we set some… boundaries."
Jasmine laughed, shaking her head. "You want boundaries?" She gestured around. "In my house?"
Belle's smile never faltered. "Luke and I just want some peace, Jasmine."
Jasmine tilted her head. "Peace?"
Belle nodded. "Yes. You know, less tension, fewer fights. A healthier environment for the baby."
Jasmine chuckled, crossing her arms. "Oh, so now you care about health?" Her gaze flickered to Luke. "Funny. I don't remember boundaries when I was handing you my kidney."
Luke's jaw tightened. "Jas—"
Jasmine held up a hand. "No, really. Please. Tell me more about how my presence is disturbing your peace."
Belle's expression faltered for just a second. "I just think it would be good for us to… coexist."
Jasmine smirked. "You want to coexist?"
Belle nodded, looking hopeful.
Jasmine leaned in. "Then get out of my house."
Belle's smile dropped.
Luke sighed. "Jas, come on—"
Jasmine stepped back, folding her arms. "No? Then I guess we're not coexisting."
She turned on her heel and walked away, leaving them sitting there, stunned.
---
The Breaking Point
Later that night, Jasmine sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
She heard footsteps outside the room before the door creaked open.
Luke.
He stepped inside hesitantly, as if debating whether to speak.
Jasmine sighed. "What do you want?"
Luke sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. "We can't keep doing this."
Jasmine scoffed. "Doing what? Living in the mess you created?"
Luke exhaled sharply. "I never wanted to hurt you, Jas."
Jasmine sat up. "Then why did you?"
Luke opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Jasmine swallowed, looking away. "You didn't even try to fight for me."
Silence.
Luke sighed. "I just… I feel like I'm suffocating."
Jasmine turned to him, eyes cold. "You feel suffocated? You?"
She let out a hollow laugh. "You cheated on me. You brought her into my home. And now you have the audacity to tell me you feel trapped?"
Luke's shoulders tensed. "It's not like that."
Jasmine stood, crossing her arms. "Then explain it to me, Luke."
Luke clenched his jaw. "I don't know how to."
Jasmine scoffed. "Of course, you don't."
She walked to the door and opened it wide. "You should go."
Luke hesitated. "Jas—"
Jasmine's voice hardened. "Get. Out."
For a moment, he didn't move.
Then, without another word, he walked out.
And for the first time, Jasmine realized something.
She wasn't just losing him.
She was letting him go.
---