Chapter 4

 Jasmine’s Pov 

“Jasmine,” my father called in a calm voice. I was surprised by his tone; it was different from usual. He must be having a good day. I responded, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to turn the tables, just like he had lavishly spent the money my mother gave me.

"I have done everything for you. The least you can do for me is pay me by getting married to whomever I choose for you as a suitor."

I glared at him. I’m just twenty, and he wants to marry me off to someone just like him.

"I have a very rich friend who is willing to take care of you." It’s quite certain I will be getting money from him every day for my upkeep. "Don’t disappoint me, do you hear me?"

I couldn’t focus on what he was saying with his annoying voice and adenoidal tone. He grasped my left ear, making it hurt. "Ouch." I winced in pain. His grip was really hurting. He must have been a wrestler when he was my age. Now I remember him saying that his friend, who is just his age, would come to marry me off because he has a lot of property to offer.

I can’t marry someone of his age; I’m his daughter, for crying out loud.

When he mentioned his friend, I guessed he must have the same character as my father.

"I’m tired of taking care of a full-grown lady like you. Tomorrow they’re coming to pay your bride price," he retorted. It itched my ears.

What did I just hear? They are coming to pay my bride price tomorrow, so I will end up miserable like my mother is right now. I refuse to choose the same fate as my mother.

I have died every day waiting for my Prince Charming, who has big mansions, to take me to paradise and bring light into my life. "Oh no, that is not so." I squatted, hitting my hand hard against the wall.

Tears dripped from my eyes.

My mother found me hitting myself. She rushed to me and grabbed me, asking, "What’s happening to you?"

Blood was oozing from my hand. I glared at her with intense anger, overwhelmed by the thought that if I told her what my father was planning, she would do nothing but cower in a spot and watch the whole thing unfold. She is just a weak and frail woman.

"You have hurt yourself." She touched my wound. "Tell me, Jas, why do you choose to hurt yourself?" she inquired, sounding so worried. Maybe I should tell her; she might know what to do to stop my father from having his way.

"Mum, he is bringing a suitor tomorrow—someone who is his age mate." I let out a heartbreaking cry.

She looked like someone who wanted to smash a bottle on his head. Anger gripped her; she did not look like the woman I had always known.

"Why is he this wicked? I will never stand by and see my daughter have the same fate as me."

Now she knows her husband is wicked. I’m glad her eyes are opening because I plan to elope from this house since she keeps covering for that man who makes her feel like nobody.

I’m tired of seeing her hurt. It sends shudders down my spine.

Now what I see in her is a woman who has been blurting out her pain for a long time.

She bandaged my wound with plaster and hugged me tightly. "I will not allow that to happen as long as I’m alive. Trust me." Her voice was barely a whisper. I nodded my head and wished my Prince Charming would come and save me from my father's grip as I closed my eyes while hugging her.

My father’s voice was making me crazy; I couldn’t concentrate anymore.

"By now, you should be preparing for tomorrow. I can’t wait to send you off." His voice felt like a stone thrusting into my heart. Am I dreaming? My father is making me crazy. I cried out again.

My mother recoiled from me, terrified to see that I was still crying. I fixed my eyes on a corner and started crying like a baby that had just slipped down from the womb.

"Jas, please hold yourself. As long as I’m here, your father will not marry you off."

I wish she would agree with me to leave this place with my father.

I sense evil swirling around this house. I can't feel light as long as my father is around.

I went back to my room and flung myself onto the bed. "Daddy, you can’t be serious." His words clouded my memory. It feels like someone is hurting me so badly.

All my life, I have wished to meet my Prince Charming, who will make my heart sound like thunderstorms. I can’t imagine myself ending up with someone who is just the same age as my father.

It’s clear enough that my father is tired of me, but why he is tired of me is something I don’t understand. I should be the one tired of him because of his heinous character; his grin is so evil I can’t still believe he is my father. There’s nothing good to describe about him.

He is someone with low self-esteem who doesn't know how to care for his family. What kind of father is he?

I cried and couldn’t stop. I wish I had a better life and a wonderful father. My life wouldn’t be this bad.

Why is the universe tricking me? "I will never marry that kind of man. I still have a long way to go," I mustered to myself.

I had been sobbing for a long time and wished I could shout out my woes for all to hear.

He claims he has done enough for me, which I find incomprehensible.

I toss and turn, wondering what he has done for me.

I began counting my fingers to keep track of how many times he denied sponsoring me because he brought nothing but pain into my life.