Chapter 3

The next morning, I snuck out of my room while the rest of the family was still asleep.

Draven had just left to handle some family business, and I headed out right after him.

With three days left, I needed to make final preparations for my departure.

I never expected to run into Draven and Bianca here.

Outside a jewelry store, Draven got out of the driver's seat and walked around to open the passenger door for her.

Bianca linked her arm through Draven's, her smile radiant.

"The custom rings from this jeweler are just perfect, Draven."

She deliberately raised her voice, drawing the attention of passersby.

Just as she'd hoped, murmurs of envy rose from the crowd.

"Is that the Tyler family's daughter? She's so elegant. That ring on her finger looks like it's from the C brand's heirloom collection. I heard one of those is worth eight figures!"

"That's her, alright. I heard she and Draven have been together since business school. The two families even bought an entire estate just for the engagement party. The security costs alone were in the millions!"

"Oh my god, they look like a prince and princess. It's breathtaking. If I could land a man of that caliber, I'd be smiling in my sleep..."

In a daze, I was brought back to reality when a clerk ran out after me.

"Miss Blakemore? Miss Blakemore? You forgot your documents."

His call caught Draven's attention.

Just as I was stuffing the papers into my bag, Draven appeared in front of me.

When his eyes met mine, he looked flustered.

"Jasmine?" He dropped Bianca's hand and took a few steps toward me.

"What are you doing here?"

I gave a faint smile, my gaze sweeping over Bianca.

"Running a few errands for my mother."

Bianca came up from behind and affectionately linked her arm through his again.

"You must be Draven's sister, right? It's nice to meet you."

"Draven talks about you all the time."

"We just finished picking out our rings and were about to look at gowns."

My gaze fell on how tightly their bodies were pressed together. I nodded calmly and turned to leave.

But Draven chased after me, grabbing my arm and speaking urgently.

"It was Father's arrangement, you know that."

He wanted to explain, but with Bianca right there, his words seemed utterly powerless.

Seeing him so anxious for my sake, I suddenly wanted to laugh.

Bianca was the one he'd loved for years.

Now their engagement was imminent, and his act of revenge was almost at its finale.

Who was he still performing for?

"Bianca is coming to the house for dinner tonight. I'm telling you in advance so you don't misunderstand."

"Don't worry, I know my place. Since it's Don's arrangement, you should cooperate. I won't cause any trouble."

"You go on. I'll be waiting for you at home."

Seeing that I was acting normally, he seemed relieved. He had someone drive me home, then turned and left with Bianca.

Knowing Bianca was coming for dinner, my mother spent the afternoon in the kitchen, preparing a lavish meal.

She looked so small and subservient, like a servant who could be dismissed at any moment.

I went into the kitchen and helped her plate the food.

"Mom, you don't have to do this."

"It's fine. Today is an important day."

She gave a bitter smile and continued to garnish the expensive truffles.

When Draven arrived with Bianca, my mother and Don presented her with a priceless diamond bracelet.

I, on the other hand, hid in my room, feigning a headache. But it wasn't long before Draven burst in with a gift box.

He handed me a car key, his face full of deep affection.

"I know our relationship has been kept in the dark, and you've been through a lot."

"But after the engagement, nothing will change between us. I'll still live at home and be with you, just like before."

"Jasmine, don't be angry with me, okay? This old sports car... it holds a lot of our memories. Now, it's officially yours."

"It's a special gift."

I looked down at the rusty car key, a bitter irony filling me.

I knew that just yesterday, he had made a show of gifting Bianca a brand-new, custom-built, bulletproof luxury car.

"Okay, I won't be angry with you."

"Go eat. They've been preparing for a long time."

I did my best to placate him, to seem completely unfazed.

Seeing me act as usual, Draven seemed to think I'd been bought off by a beat-up sports car, that his cheap display of affection had worked.

After he went downstairs, I turned and tossed the car key into the fireplace.

The sound of toasts and cheers drifted up from downstairs.

I heard Draven's voice, ordering my mother around like a servant, telling her to serve the next course and refill the soup.

I sat on the floor, hugging my knees, and stuffed all the jewelry he had given me over the past six years into a garbage bag, ready to throw it all away.

The moment the bag knocked against the table, Bianca suddenly appeared at my door.

Looking at the mess on the floor, she smirked triumphantly.

"What, you can't take it anymore?"

"Jasmine Blakemore, you're even weaker than I thought."

She licked her lips, her smile dripping with scorn.

"Oh, by the way, you didn't know, did you? Draven told me he's disgusted by being intimate with you in that old sports car. He said the faded leather seats are as dull and boring as you are."

"And when it comes to certain things, I can give him a much fresher experience."

"Not just in the car, but in many other places... yachts, private jets, places you'll never go."

All the air left my lungs. A sharp pain seized my chest, and my breathing grew ragged.

Six years of suppressed anger and humiliation erupted in that instant.

I lunged at her, raising my hand. "Shut up!"

But before my palm could even touch her face, she suddenly threw herself backward.

Her knees hit the floor hard, scraping the skin.

"Ah!" she cried out in pain, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

Draven burst into the room at the sound and saw Bianca collapsed on the floor.

His face darkened instantly.

"Jasmine!"

He grabbed my wrist and flung it away.

I lost my balance, and my head slammed against the corner of the table.

Warm liquid trickled down my forehead. It was blood.

But my own pain was nothing. My only thought was for my baby, hoping it was still safe.

He didn't even glance at me. He knelt and helped Bianca up.

"Are you badly hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Bianca leaned against his chest, her eyes full of grievance.

"I just wanted to be friends with her. I didn't expect..."

Draven looked up, his eyes fixed on me with a coldness I had never seen before.

"Jasmine, I dare you to touch her again."