Chapter Four

Jasmine’s POV

I moved quietly down the dark hallway, my heart hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. The house was mostly silent, except for the faint sounds of the ranch hands working outside. Adonis had left for a meeting, and I knew this was my only chance. I slipped into his private study, closing the door behind me with a soft click.

My hands trembled as I picked up the phone on the heavy wooden desk. I dialed my father’s number and held my breath while it rang.

“Hello?” His voice came through, warm and familiar.

“Papa,” I whispered, fighting back tears.

“Jasmine? Honey, is that you?”

I pressed a hand over my mouth to keep from sobbing. “It’s me, Dad.”

“Oh, sweetheart. It’s so good to hear your voice. How are you doing?”

I forced a smile into my tone even though my chest felt tight. “I’m okay. How are you? You sound stronger.”

“I’m doing much better,” he said happily. “You need to see me now. I’ve improved a lot.”

“I’m so glad, Dad. Really.” My voice cracked a little. “Are you happy?”

“Very happy. And you, honey? Are you happy there?”

“I am,” I lied. “I’m happier now that I’ve heard your voice.”

He chuckled softly. “You and Adonis should come visit this weekend. I’d love to see you both.”

I sighed, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “I’ll tell him, Dad, but I can’t promise anything.”

That was when I heard voices outside the study. Adonis and Maya. Their laughter carried down the hall and twisted something painful in my stomach.

“Papa, I have to go. My husband just got back.”

“Alright, sweetheart. I’m sending you a big kiss. And give one to Adonis for me.”

“I will. I love you, Daddy. So much.” The tears I had been holding back finally slipped down my cheeks.

“I love you too. Goodbye, my girl.”

The line went dead. I quickly wiped my face and stepped out of the study, trying to pull myself together.

In the hallway, Maya was still talking to Adonis. “So, is the new foreman joining us for dinner tonight or is this going to be every night?”

“I just want to meet him properly,” Adonis replied.

“Well, I’ll go change then. See you later.” She kissed his cheek and headed toward her room.

I stepped out from the corner. Adonis turned and saw me immediately.

“You were in my study?” His voice was sharp.

“Yes.”

“What were you doing in there?”

“Making a phone call.”

“To who?” He walked toward me, his presence filling the space.

“Who do you think, Adonis?” I let out a bitter laugh.

“Jasmine.” He grabbed my neck lightly, not enough to hurt but enough to make his point.

“I was talking to my dad. If you don’t believe me, call him back yourself.”

He studied my face for a long moment, then released me. “I’ll trust you this time. But don’t ever use the office phone again when I’m not here.”

“Adonis, you’re choking me,” I said wearily. “Can you give me some space? This is too much. You took my phone. You won’t let me call anyone, not even my own family.”

“You left me no choice, dear wife. I don’t trust you.” He stepped back.

“That’s your problem, not mine.” I turned to walk away.

“Will you have dinner with me tonight?” he asked suddenly.

I paused and looked back at him. “Alright.”

“Thank you.”

“But on one condition. Maya can’t join us.”

He licked his lips and gave a small smirk. “Fine. I’ll have the chef take dinner to her room.”

“Good.” I walked off without another word.

A short while later, a knock sounded on my bedroom door.

“Come in.”

Dominga entered with a bottle of wine and a glass. “Ma’am, you asked for this earlier.”

“Yes, thank you. Just put it on the table.” I managed a small smile.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, I’m fine. You can go.”

She hesitated at the door. “Forgive me for saying this, but I don’t like seeing you so sad.”

I looked down. “I feel so lonely here, Dominga. There’s no one to talk to. No one who actually cares about me.”

“I care about you, ma’am.” She stepped closer and took my hands gently.

“You barely know me.”

“Doesn’t matter. I can tell you’re a good person just by looking at you.”

Her kindness made my eyes sting again. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you go downstairs and talk with your husband? It might help with the boredom.”

“Never. I won’t sit there with him and Maya. I refuse.”

Dominga shook her head. “Everyone here thinks you don’t love the boss. But I see it differently. You do love him. Otherwise you wouldn’t be so jealous of Maya.”

“I’m not jealous of anyone,” I said quickly, my voice defensive.

She smiled softly. “Get dressed up nicely and go down for dinner. Show Maya who the real lady of this house is. Excuse me, ma’am.”

She left before I could respond, leaving me staring at the closed door. Was this the same quiet housekeeper I had met a week ago?

I took a deep breath, went into the bathroom, showered, and changed into a simple white maxi dress and a pair of comfortable heels. When I came downstairs, Adonis was in the living room, scrolling through his phone.

“When are we having dinner?” I asked as I approached.

He looked up and slowly ran his eyes over me. “You came down early.”

“Do you mind? Or should I go back upstairs?”

“No, not at all.” He paused. “Just so you know, besides Maya, the new foreman will be joining us tonight.”

“Fine,” I said with a shrug. “Invite the stable hand, the chef, the dog, whoever you want.”

Adonis smiled. “I don’t mind sharing my table with anyone, humble or stuck-up.”

“It amazes me how you can act like a decent man sometimes. Do you have a personality disorder?”

He chuckled. “That side only comes out when I’m dealing with difficult people like you.”

I was about to reply when the front door opened.

“Good evening,” a deep voice said behind me.

I froze. That voice. I would know it anywhere.

I turned slowly as Adonis greeted him. “Good evening. Come on in, Antonio.”

There he stood in the flesh, wearing a foreman’s shirt and jeans. My Sebastian. The man I loved with every piece of my heart.

My breath caught in my throat. The room suddenly felt too small, the air too thick. Sebastian’s eyes met mine for a brief second, before he quickly looked away.

Adonis had no idea. None at all.

And in that moment, I realized just how complicated my life had become.