JASMINE POV
Each time I heard that last name, flashes of who I used to be would come back to me. Jasmine, the orphan of the Ice Wolf pack. I remembered her. How miserable she was.
More importantly, it reminded me of Sebastian Carter.
My chest constricted. I placed a hand over it. Breathing became difficult as it would every time I thought I was about to see him again.
"Mr. Carter!" Brady beamed. He stood on his feet to welcome the young man, who just walked in.
The knots in my stomach loosened. I sucked in air in bouts.
It wasn't Sebastian. He still hadn't found me after all these years.
Brady shook hands with the man. "Welcome to Greenbrook. This is Dr. Varma, Dr. Banerji, Dr. Jenkins, and Dr. Ross. They are the cream of the crop within these walls."
Carter said, "Nice to meet you all. I hope we have a productive year together."
We offered him a curt bow.
I had fallen in ranks. A bitter taste spread through my mouth at the humiliation of bowing to my replacement. A year, I thought. Carter would act as the director for a year until Brady makes the ultimate decision.
It was because my demotion had been sudden. There was no time to prepare, but I still had hope. I could totally salvage my reputation in a year.
Get back in Brady's good books and take my seat again.
That was a good plan. It was my only plan to survive.
After the conference meeting, I walked into Liam Barneji's office, holding my lunch.
"Miracle doctor! I hope my office is glorious enough for your feet." Liam leaned back in his swivelling chair, laughing at me.
I glared at him, and he laughed louder.
My banana peel landed on his face. It glued to him like a starfish, sliding down to his lap.
"Oops. So slippery." I feigned sympathy.
He grimaced. "To think I used to love bananas, Ross."
A minute passed. I couldn’t stand my thoughts any longer.
"How dare Brady do that to me?!" I threw my hands in the air as I paced about.
This was break time. I didn't have to worry about patients coming in.
"Can you believe that he made a man who's barely a 1 star in medicine director of the biggest hospital in the country?!"
Liam trashed the peel and washed his face in the sink beside his desk.
"Don't get too worked up. Brady does whatever he likes. He's the owner."
I snapped at him. "Oh, yeah? I nutured that position for two years, Banerji. Doubled his sales and customer base!"
"Well, news flash, babe. You lost all of that glory in an hour," he gripped the edge of his desk, peering at me, "Instead of sulking in my office, why don't you go find out who posted that video of you?"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
Liam plopped down in his seat. "And here I thought you were a genius. Does surveillance ring a bell?"
I thought about checking the security footage twice before, but I didn't want to face the culprit. I was too ashamed.
That video was real. I had frozen like a first-day rookie.
"Help me out." My eyes begged him.
He huffed out a laugh. "In your dreams, Ross."
"Barneji."
"Nuh-uh."
"Even if I take your night shifts for a week?"
His eyes narrowed at me. "Make that two weeks."
"A week and two days."
He didn't cave.
"Four days."
"Dr. Barneji to the rescue!" Liam grinned, "I'll hunt down the enemy and have them make a public apology. You'll see."
I shook my head, livid that I won't have any free time in the coming week. He grinned from ear to ear—on a mission to obviously annoy me.
"Well, my job awaits. Later, Banerji," I muttered and returned to my daily routine of treating patients.
4:25 pm.
The kids enjoyed grocery shopping, so I always drove home from the hospital to pick them up before driving back to the store together.
"Mommy, can we buy some chocolate for Penny?" Emily hooked her arm around the headrest of my seat, craning her neck to see my face.
"Em, I tell you this every week. Penny can't eat chocolate."
As if on cue, Penny growled in the backseat once I refused her a treat.
"But why, mommy?!" Emily whined, stomping her feet on the car carpet. "Fallon gave her dog chocolate, and he was fine!"
"Yes, but what if it's poisonous to her?"
She sulked, "There's only one way to find out. If you could just—"
"Emily Ross, you will not give your dog chocolate, which could potentially cause her death. Comprende?"
She still sulked, fitting in between her brothers who were more interested in their video game than our conversation.
I parked the Bentley in the store's lot and turned to them, "Penny can't go with us, remember?"
"Whatever, mommy." Emily sulked again, shoving Ezra out of her way.
A fight broke out between the three of them. I opened the backseat and pried Emily off the boys, warning her.
"Why did you do that to your brother, Em?!"
I had been distracted for a moment. Neither of us saw Penny jump down and run across two empty lots and onto the third.
The third lot had a black BMW in it. Penny ran over to the owner, who crouched before his front tire.
"Penny!" The four of us screamed in horror as she bit the man’s leg.
I was at his side in a flash. "Oh, God! I'm so sorry. I'm so so sor—"
The words withered on my tongue when I saw the face of the assaulted man.
"Jasmine?" His icy blue eyes were raw with shock.
I couldn’t say a word. I saved Penny from his crushing grip first, awe-struck. Oh fuck, Sebastian looked even hotter than I remembered. Eight years had done him good. Too good.
My eyes touched every spot on his face. His chiselled jaw, cheekbones, and lips I never forgot.
His Adam's-apple bobbed. I gaped at the sight, eyes falling to the view that his half-buttoned shirt left me.
Sebastian was just as tall as he had been, but his biceps and chest looked really ripped. That stubble on his chin and much longer, yummy hair weren't there before.
"Uhm. I'm sorry again..." I croaked, not knowing what else to tell him.
I whirled around and kept the dog in the backseat of the car. Penny knew how to behave herself. I didn't know what had just come over her.
The triplets and I walked into the store, and throughout, I felt his eyes on us. Uneasy heat pricked my back. The memories returned as overwhelming as a sea wave.
*Flashback*
"I'm your Luna, Seb! But you always make me feel like a close second whenever it comes to her!" Talia yelled at her mate right in front of me.
Sebastian couldn't meet my eyes on this terrace. It wasn't his fault. His wolf couldn't resist Talia. He was fated to keep her happy and not me.
"Talia, enough of this! I will not hear another word—"
"Give me what you owe."
"What?" he frowned in confusion.
"You promised to fulfil my one wish on our mating day, or have you forgotten, Seb?" My eyes met his as Talia made her demands, painful longing passed between us.
I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing a hand over my stomach for a split second.
Sebastian had to know the truth. I would tell him today about what I'm expecting.
Talia screamed again, "Seb!"
"What is it?! What is your wish?" his voice sounded low and defeated, "I will grant it."
Talia's face darkened with evil joy. Her glare fell on me.
"I want her gone!" She pointed at me, hate pouring out of her. "Exiled from the Ice Wolf pack without a penny to her name. Never to return."
I whipped my head to her, shaking it as if that could help me reverse my fate. "No. Seb, don't listen to her! Don't throw me away."
But he didn't even spare me a glance as he walked away from me, from us...
*Flashback ends*
I tried to hide that I was okay from the triplets, but they knew me just as much as I knew them. Emily and Ezra kept stealing glances at me.
Finally, Ethan tugged at my wrist. "Mommy, are you okay?"
I forced a smile on my face. "Of course, I am, sweetie."
I was fine, even though my lungs barely functioned and a panic attack almost surfaced. I had to be strong in front of my children.
The three of them played around in the grocery cart, their altercation long forgotten. I wished I had the power to forget that easily like a child.
At the counter, Ezra gasped. "We forgot the milk!" He searched further into the cart.
"Stay here," I told them, "I'll quickly fetch it."
I rushed back to the dairy section, tracing the products on the shelf for my usual.
"You know, you're still beautiful as I remember."
I froze.
When I looked, Sebastian was right next to me, clearly checking me out.
"Why haven't you left yet?" I asked rudely, bringing out the milk I wanted.
He had already finished buying and was on his way out when Penny did that to him.
"I couldn’t."
My knees wobbled. "Seb, I don't want to talk about—"
"Become mine again, Jasmine." He bent on one knee, opening a diamond ring box.
JASMINE POV Jasmine, what the fuck?!" Sebastian shrieked as I poured the milk all over him and his flashy ring. I gritted my teeth. "I was never yours in the first place, you asshole!" He winced as I stomped down the aisle, but he grabbed my elbow, pulling me back. "Wait! Wait a second," he raked a hand through his soft, long, milk-stained hair, "Let me do right by you. Please." "Seb, it's been eight years! I have forgotten all about you, and I don't need a fucking reminder of the heartache." As I stormed away, I heard him mutter to himself. "This isn't over, Jasmine. You'll be mine soon." I shuddered at that dangerous promise, blocking it out of my mind as I met the kids at the front of the line. Emily had my wallet with her. I dropped the empty bottle of milk on the counter, and the cashier gave me a weird look. "Don't forget to add that." I smiled nervously. When everything had been processed, I grabbed the grocery bags and the kids, hurrying out of the store. At the lot,
JASMINE POV I froze like a statue. It was not enough that Sebastian showed up like a bad dream and now he would work in the same space as me, worse still, as my boss? Oh no!My breathing alternated from slow to fast pace and right now, it felt like my heart would burst from too much workload. “Dr. Ross,” Brady called wryly. My soul jerked back to where my body remained in a frozen state. The movement caused my phone to slip from my hand and fall with a loud thud. I'm certain my screen must be damaged and also certain it's not up to what my life would be in minutes. Wrecked. Absolutely chaotic. I reached down in swift seconds, retrieved it like it never occurred, and saved myself the heartbreak of looking at the damage. “...are you okay?” Brady asked with that goofy grin. I could stake my career on the line that he didn't give a bloody hoot about how I felt. This whole charade was to rub my misfortune right in my face. “Ye..ah” I gulped balls of thick saliva that were about to
JASMINE POVWith that, Nurse Carol was gone. Sebastian is surely getting on my nerves! For about a minute, I forgot I had the 'Carter’ problem to deal with and just with a message from my supposedly annoying director, I lost composure. “What does he want?” I murmured and began pacing, hovering about in the small workspace. “Is there a problem?” Liam asked, curious. "Yes, there is." I spun to face him and he looked surprised at seeing a new side of me; terrified. “Do you need anything? Water...”"Brady just knows how to piss me off, and I would make him pay!” I revealed it anyway, yelling at the top of my lungs. Thankfully, the door was shut because I needed to vent, and now that I have... Well, it still felt the same. "Whoa,” Liam muttered and gestured for me to calm down. Eyes closed, I inflated my lungs with the cold-conditioned air. “What has Brady got to do with this, I thought Nurse Carol mentioned ‘a Sebastian’...”"You're right.” I bluffed. If only he was wrong. “Wait,
JASMINE’S POV _Smash the freaking ketchup on his face!_ _Pull his ears out till he looks like Penny!_ These were a few of the tens of revenge ideas that came to mind. Instead, I kept mute, stabilizing my mood. After the milk incident at the mall and with me still not over it, it would be plain stupid to make things worse. My bloodshot eyes burned with intense hate and irritation. Sweat dripped from each of my pores. I was furious and he knew it. "Jas. You should think about this.” He reached out for my hands on the table and I cringed. “First, you don’t get to call me that and lastly, there's nothing to think about.”"Don't act rashly, Jasmine. You can take a few days and...” “Have a nice day.” I pushed the chair backward, as the squishing sound made silly noises and drew unwanted attention to us. I avoided eye contact with a few of the staff that chose my business over theirs and wore a fake smile. The news of my demotion rocked the four walls of the hospital, and with my rep
JASMINE’S POV "No secrets; remember your pinky swear?" He scanned my face for any reactions. “Common, honey.” I sighed. "Like I said, it's nothing. What could possibly be wrong?” I threw the question back at him. "Anything..." He shrugged. "And in this case, I’m sure something is up.” He doesn't change his foot. I exhaled and groaned loudly, so he knew how frustrating this was getting. I thought I was gaining his sympathy until he chuckled and went silent. That's all?! I frowned. “Asher, you're beating yourself up for nothing.” I squeezed his arms roughly. "I’m fine.” I insisted. “You ain't fine, and we both know it.” His brows furrowed. Gush! Could this be any easier? For the umpteenth time, I told him I was fine, but he just wouldn't indulge me. And the more I didn't budge, the more he didn't go weak on his stance. He let go of my waist and started for the centre table. “Where are you going? This is the way to the kitchen, remember?” I rolled my eyes. He ignored me and kept u
Sebastian’s POV _I want her so bad..._ It scared the crap out of me as I would do anything and go to any length just to claim her... My hands beneath her thighs, where they belonged, her head peacefully laid on my bosom, and my nose buried in the length of her neck, as I sniffed her sweet vanilla scent. "You’re mine,” I murmured. If I can't have her, nobody would. I was ready to make up for all those years I hurt her so badly. I was naive and stupid and helpless. Everyone deserves a second chance, I won't be ripped off. Back then, she was this soft-spoken, calm, and quiet weak girl. Eight years was enough to change your whole personality. She was no longer the girl I knew her to be. The Jasmine I was faced with was fierce, stubborn, and more beautiful than I imagined. It made it even more difficult to think of the best way to win her over...She was a totally different person. Life was going fine for her, I didn't need a seer to know that; being in a big city, and a good doctor
Jasmine's POV _8: 00 AM_ I was already late and I was sure to get scolded by Brandy. _Silver paws and fur so wild,_ _A gentle heart, yet fierce and mild._ _Underneath the stars so high,_ _A lullaby for the moonlit sky._ “Argh.” I groaned, about to explode because I needed peace and quiet and the kids' singing was not helping matters. “Easy, darling.” Asher nudged my elbow. "They're just having fun.” “If fun means ruining my mental health, then I don't want it.” Asher just chuckled, having more tolerance than myself. They didn't seem to care as they jumped and clapped in excitement, with Emily taking the lead. She would definitely be the death of me aside from Sebastian. For about an hour and a half, we drove around the city, navigating our way through hounding traffic and road workers. I couldn’t keep up with the number of rules Asher broke ever since we started this less than two-hour journey. If I told him that the kids were watching and might pick up from this bad habit of h
Jasmine's POV _Miss Bianca?!_ Nurse Carol’s voice rang like a siren in my head. Miss Bianca, and emergency in the same sentence? I couldn't think what could possibly go wrong with her. I was her personal doctor, and we had a good relationship outside of the work environment. The last time she came, she did a full body check and she was doing just fine. It's just weeks after... Or was it an accident? “When did she arrive?” I spoke up for the first time even though my words mocked me after. She obviously came in a while ago. The hospital wasn't her home."Yeah, a while ago." Nurse Carol responded anyway and turned to leave. "Dear moon,” I murmured. "Please keep her safe.” Miss Bianca was such a sweet soul, and one client who would stick with you no matter how messy things got, just like she stayed true to me even after the scandal on the miracle doctor. In haste, I shoved Sebastian aside and hurried after Nurse Carol who led the way. My patient's health meant more to me, and if it