Chapter 2

Jasmine’s POV

Was Caleb coming after me?

I spun around and saw a middle aged man who looked a little awkward. He was Caleb’s driver.

“Did Caleb send you to pick me up?” I asked, hating the hope in my voice.

He hesitated, and I understood immediately.

“Of course not.”

He didn’t come after me, and he didn’t care enough to know where I was.

During the ride back home, the car was so quiet that I could hear my own breathing. I could also see the driver’s glances from the rearview mirror several times.

“Just say it,” I sighed. “It’s obvious you have something to say.”

When he met my eyes again, his gaze was filled with sympathy.

“Mrs. Ravencloft,” he began. “I know this is hard for you, but it will pass. Sometimes, people make mistakes, especially successful men. Sometimes, they make these mistakes simply because they feel overlooked. You two love each other, and that’s all that matters.We have to forgive those we love because they might lose their way for a while.”

For the rest of the ride, I was in deep thought. I tried not to think of how Emily clung to Caleb all night long, and soon, a desperate part of me believed I could fix this.

Maybe if I showed him I could still be the woman he once wanted, he would remember why he married me.

But I never truly knew what he wanted because I had followed everything he told me, yet he was never satisfied. I stopped being ambitious and turned into the quiet housewife he demanded, but now he mocked me for it.

By the time I got to the estate, it was nearly twelve but I did not go to bed. Through the long, lonely night, I sat in silence until the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon.

I was so exhausted that I could barely lift a finger yet, when I came to my senses, I had already laid the tablecloth, changed the water in the vase and picked out Caleb’s favorite coffee beans.

I loved him as if it were simply my nature. Taking care of him has always come naturally to me as breathing.

Had I done something wrong?

Another hour passed before the front door finally opened. I stood up quickly, with my heart racing with a mix of anxiety and relief.

"Caleb? We need to talk…

Caleb stumbled into the dining room, covered in Emily’s floral perfume. He stopped when he saw me, with his eyes narrowing as they flickered to my face.

“If you’re going to talk about the party, I was having a good time. I am not going to apologize for that.”

“Why? You’re MY husband!”

“And you’re still my wife.” His eyes turned cold. “Even I feel suffocated in this perfect little marriage of yours. Emily never asks me these silly questions.”

“I don’t understand.” I said, swallowing hard. “You cheated and I’m the problem?”

“Yes.” He stepped closer, his voice icily calm. “You bore me. Emily makes me happy. I have options and I am done pretending that I don’t.”

“I love you Caleb.” I said, reaching desperately for his hand but he pulled away disgustingly like I was contaminated.

“Don’t say that.” His voice turned cold. “It only makes you look pathetic. Since you’re determined to stay, here’s how it’s going to be. We are opening the marriage and I am going to explore other options. I would have suggested you do the same, but we both know no one else would want you."

The air left my lungs as the words rang in my ears.

“An open marriage?” I gasped. “Caleb, no, I can't. Please, we can go to counseling and we can—”

"I am not asking for your permission," he snapped.

“Please—”

My words were interrupted as the door pulled open and Emily walked into our dining room. She was draped in one of Caleb’s oversized shirts. The fact that Emily went straight to our matrimonial room while I stood here begging Caleb felt like a physical blow. I had to grip the edge of the table for support as my vision blurred.

"What’s keeping you so long, baby?" Emily asked with a yawn. She walked over to him and slid her arms around his neck, kissing his jaw. "I told you she would make a scene."

"She is just processing the new rules," Caleb said, his voice softening only for her. He turned back to me, his expression hardening again. "Emily is moving in. This house is plenty big enough for all of us, and she is actually pregnant with a child I want. So, wipe your face and get used to it."

I felt something inside of me die.

"Pregnant?" I gasped, my hand flying to my stomach. I couldn’t hold my weight anymore as I fell hard to the floor.

The memory of the child I lost—the child Caleb said we weren't ready for, ripped through me.

"You told me you didn't want kids.”I whimpered as my heart squeezed painfully. “You made me feel guilty for even wanting one!" I yelled as hot tears slid down my cheeks.

Emily laughed as she watched me with mocking eyes.

"He didn't want kids with you, Jasmine, there is a difference. Don’t you see? You are just a boring placeholder and I am the upgrade."

I held my chest in pain as I looked at Caleb, hoping this was some cruel prank.

“Please, tell me this is not true,” I begged as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

“It is.” He sneered. “I know this might hurt you, but it just happened and the least you can do is be happy for us.”

“Happy?” I asked, with rage filling me. I sacrificed my whole life for Caleb and this was how he paid me back? "You have to stop this madness, please. Don’t do this."

"I can do whatever I want," Caleb replied coldly as he turned his back on me, guiding Emily toward the stairs. "Be quiet now, I don’t want us to be disturbed. Spend the night in the guest wing.”

My phone lit up with a text.

“Forget your husband. Have fun and prove him wrong”.