Woah! That wasn't expected! What will Lila say? Do you think she'll say the truth?
76"What? Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Lila said between a laugh as she pulled Kyle's cheek.They were sitting in the ward, with Lila on the bed and a cannula inserted into the back of her hand. Her face was ashen and her lips utterly dry. In just a few hours, her color had diminished a great deal, making her look sicker than she was. "Don't provoke me, Lila." Kyle grumbled. "Why did you keep eating the soup after tasting cinnamon in it? If it’s ninety percent Jessica’s fault then you’re responsible for what’s left.” "I truly had no idea." She pouted. "Jessica said it was some special energy-boosting recipe… something like that! So I thought it was meant to taste weird. I didn’t think she’d actually do something to hurt me.” Kyle looked away. He despised the way he treated Jessica. She had been his guest.... And injured. But he handled her like some enemy who was faking her illness. Not to mention the look on her face. The sad look. It said a thousand things. He felt
75Jasmine's POVI ate Kyle's food. I used his room. I wore clothes brought by him from his money for me. He went out of the way to make me feel home, which is something not even blood-related people will do for you these days.But Kyle did it. For me.So how can I leave without one last talk with him?"Mari, can I get a pen and paper?"Much to my dismay, Mari pulled out a medium-sized diary and a pen from under the pocket on her apron and waved it at me with a sad smile."I thought you'd never ask for this." She said as I took it from her."I thought I'll leave quietly. But that would be unfair to Kyle. He deserves to know that I'm not going because of him... And that... I'll miss him too." I sat down in a chair near a table that I used as a desk to write my fin
74Jasmine's POV I would sleep under a bridge, or behind trash cans, or in dark and creepy alleys— But I won't stay here. I was about to lie to Mari about a friend I just made in my mind when she interjected, "Sky can help you!" "Sky?" "Yes, Sky. She's a childhood friend of mine. Super intelligent and extremely beautiful. She comes from my hometown but her hard work paid off, and now she's a successful Air Hostess." Mari shared about her friend. It was a good proposal and I could use Mari's help. But taking her help meant staying in connection with her— which is something I don't want with anyone from this house. It's not because I'm being ungrateful, but because I'm too ashamed and heartbroken to see anyone from my past. "Mari, I don't—" "Hear me out before you say no." Mari cut my words. "Sky had a somewhat similar experience like you, Miss Jessica. Her husband left her for another woman and she had a two year old son back then. She was going to divorce him and leave with her
73Jasmine's POV Thanks so much God. If anything had happened to her then I would have never been able to forgive myself.My relief, nevertheless, was short lived as now I was supposed to make a difficult decision in my life. "Mari," I took her hand and squeezed it. "You all have been very nice to me. You, Jojo, and... Kyle." My voice cracked over his name. I forced my lips to smile between twinkling eyes. "I don't think I was ever welcomed this way by someone who was a stranger. I didn't feel like I was a stranger here! You kept me company like you always knew me. But..." A tear escaped my eyes and considering how Mari's hand was twitching in mine, I could bet that she interpreted what I was about to say. "Miss, sir won't appreciate it. I mean... Yeah he was very rude and angry but... You can't just leave." "You saw us yesterday?" Mari lowered her head as she apologetically nodded, "I heard him calling your name and couldn't stop myself from following after him. I... Saw him s
72Jasmine's POV Mari came back to me and held my hand. Her red face was turning white as she stared at me as if creepy blisters were forming on my once beautiful face. "Should I call doctor Jayson for you? You don't look well to me, Miss Jessica. You... Look utterly pale. It doesn't look healthy to me." I smiled sadly at her as I sat up straight. My attempt was smooth and I didn't wince either. That's because I felt no pain. Well, honestly, I had no idea whether I was in pain or my entire body was drowning in pain. Every inch of my body was numb. I didn't understand where the pain started or ended. Kyle's words didn't leave my mind. Every word echoed and struck me like a bolt of lightning, increasing my pain. I was thinking about our confrontation and tears formed in my eyes again. But before another tear spilled, Mari's soft touch landed on my hand. When I saw her face, she looked genuinely sorry for me."I know you feel miserable, Miss Jessica. I would feel too if someone was
71 Jasmine's POVI've been told many heart-shattering things over the past few days. I've been held captive and immobile by my husband. Received slave-like treatment from his mistress and her friends. But none of that hurt the way Kyle's words hurt.Tears carved glistening trails down my face as I clutched my mouth to contain my sobs. Kyle's pull was hard and strong. It sent a painful current through my midriff but I didn't scream back then.I was afraid that he might take my crying as fake, and hurt me. Although I know his actions were led by anger and his protectiveness towards Lila, I swear on my dead child that I didn't do anything on purpose.I didn't add anything extra... Or to cause any kind of pain to anyone. I didn’t know Lila had a cinnamon allergy, let alone how so much of it made its way into the soup. The last time I tasted it, it was delicious and fine. Every spice was in balance.Aah, spasms ran through my belly. I felt like a thousand knives were stabbed in my stomach.