Chapter Five

Jasmine’s POV

My eyes widened the second I saw Sebastian standing there. For a moment, the whole world stopped. I did the only thing I could think of. I pretended to feel dizzy and swayed on my feet.

Adonis caught me quickly and helped me over to the couch. “Jasmine, this is what happens when you don’t eat properly.”

“Dominga, bring some milk!” he shouted.

My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. I kept staring at Sebastian, who stood just behind Adonis. How had he managed to get here? I had prayed for a chance to see him again, but I never imagined he would walk straight into Adonis’s world like this.

“Are you feeling better?” Dominga asked as she handed me a cup of warm milk.

“I’m fine now, thank you. I think I just need to go upstairs and rest.”

“Should I help you to the room?” Adonis asked, gently touching my face.

I pushed his hand away. “I can manage.”

“I should probably leave,” Sebastian said quietly.

“Yes, I’m sorry about this, Antonio. We’ll talk more tomorrow,” Adonis replied.

“Get well soon, ma’am,” Sebastian said, nodding at me before he left.

Once he was gone, Adonis asked Dominga to make me some honey tea, and we headed upstairs together. I lay down on the bed and kept up the act.

“Dominga told me you haven’t been eating well since we got married,” Adonis said, sounding frustrated. “Why do you keep punishing yourself like this?”

I ignored his question. “Is that man the new foreman?”

“You mean Antonio?”

“Yes.”

“He’s the new foreman. Why are you asking?”

“No reason.”

Adonis watched me for a moment. “Are you okay now? Should I turn off the AC?”

“I’m fine. I just need to rest.”

He left the room as Dominga came in with the tea.

“Here you go, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Dominga.”

She hesitated. “Is this the first time you’ve felt dizzy? It could be because you’re not eating enough. Or maybe you’re pregnant?”

“I hope not,” I said quickly.

“A baby is a blessing. You two are newly married. It would be good news.”

“Dominga, do you know who hired the new foreman?”

“Louis said Gabriel brought him in from the city. He’s staying in the foreman’s house behind the main building. Why all the questions?”

“I was just curious. I’ve never seen him before. The tea is good. Thank you. You can go now.”

“Would you like me to stay and keep you company?”

“No, I’m feeling better. I’ll finish the tea and go to sleep.”

“Sleep well, ma’am.”

The moment she closed the door, I set the cup down. I changed into my nightwear and stepped out onto the balcony. From there, I could see the lights of the foreman’s house in the distance. I needed to speak to Sebastian, but I had no idea how to do it safely. The fear of getting caught by Adonis or Maya made my stomach twist.

Then I saw Adonis’s car drive through the main gate. The guards closed it behind him. This was my chance.

I slipped out of the room quietly. The hallway was dimly lit. I moved down the stairs carefully and made my way out of the house. The guards were changing shifts, which gave me a small window. I walked quickly toward the foreman’s house and knocked on the door softly.

Nick opened the door. Sebastian’s best friend. His eyes widened when he saw me.

“You came with him too?” I whispered in shock.

“Who is it?” Sebastian called from inside.

The moment he stepped into the doorway, I ran to him. “Baby!”

We crashed into each other, holding on tight. Nick excused himself and disappeared into the back room to give us privacy.

We stood there for a long time, just holding each other. When we finally pulled back, Sebastian cupped my face and kissed me deeply. The kiss was full of hunger, relief, and months of separation. His hands moved over my body, gentle but possessive. For those few minutes, the rest of the world disappeared.

When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.

“I still can’t believe it’s really you,” I whispered, tears running down my face. “I thought I was going to lose my mind in this place.”

“Jasmine, you have no idea what I went through to find you,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “Without you, I feel dead. I had to come.”

We sat on the small couch, and for the next hour we talked — really talked. He told me how his college friend Antonio got the foreman job but had an accident. Sebastian took his place and his name. I explained how my mother had destroyed the phone with our pictures, which helped him stay hidden. I told him about the hell I’d been living through, the pressure, the loneliness, and what Adonis had done to me.

“You look so pale and thin,” he said sadly, running his hand down my arm. “I hate seeing you like this.”

“I’m surviving. But Seb, you have to be careful. Adonis is dangerous. He hates you. If he finds out who you are…”

“I know. I’ve been looking into Adonis and his connections. He has power everywhere. That’s why our escape has to be planned perfectly. But at least we’re together now. That’s what matters.”

We kissed again, slower this time. The minutes stretched as we held each other, whispering promises and trying to make up for lost time. I felt safe in his arms, even if it was only temporary.

But reality started creeping back in. I glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost an hour had passed.

“I have to go back,” I said reluctantly. “Adonis could return anytime. If he finds me gone…”

Sebastian held me tighter. “Just a little longer.”

“No, Seb. It’s too risky.” I stood up, even though it hurt to leave him. “You need to focus on the plan from a distance. Being here is too dangerous for both of us. My mother or brother could visit any day and recognize you. Adonis is already planning to add more cameras and guards.”

“I don’t care about the risks. I’m not leaving you here.”

“Stop, Seb. This isn’t just about us. If he finds out, he’ll destroy my family to punish me. I want to escape more than anything, but not like this. It has to be smart.”

I kissed him one last time, then forced myself to pull away. I wiped my tears, slipped out of the foreman’s house, and hurried back across the yard. The night air felt colder now. I tiptoed into the main house and crept up the stairs as quietly as possible.

The moment I opened the bedroom door, my heart stopped.

Adonis was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring directly at me.

“Where are you coming from?”