CHAPTER 5

JASMINE’S POV

“Take my hand,” William murmured.

I slid my fingers into his, letting him lead me into the ballroom. This was his night—the opening of his second luxury hotel in the city. The event was strictly invitation-only, a gathering of the elite, where people sipped on aged champagne and whispered deals that could change entire industries.

After William’s speech, a line of eager businessmen flocked to him like moths to a flame, each one desperate to strike a deal, hoping to catch even a sliver of his wealth. I wasn’t paying much attention to any of it. My only focus was on one man only.

Martin.

There he was, my cheating, scheming, spineless ex-husband, strolling toward us with his arm hooked around Kimberly’s waist like a prize he’d won.

I gripped my champagne glass too tight, fingers trembling with the urge to throw it straight at his smug face. William must have noticed my discomfort because he pulled me closer to himself.

“Mr. Stone,” Martin greeted with too much enthusiasm as he extended his hands. “It’s such an honor to be working with you. When we got your request to cater tonight’s event, I couldn’t believe it. Truly, thank you.”

William didn’t take his hand. He just glanced at it before sliding his own into his pocket. “It was my fiancée’s idea.”

Martin’s eyes flickered to me in interest. “Ah, a woman with exquisite taste.” He reached for my hand, lifting it toward his lips—

I yanked it back before he could touch me.

Without breaking eye contact, I plucked a napkin from a passing waiter’s tray, wiped my hand clean as if his very presence contaminated me, then carelessly dropped the napkin back.

Martin laughed awkwardly. “Ah… my apologies, ma’am. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just… taken aback by your beauty.” He turned to William with a forced chuckle. “You truly have a stunning wife.”

I didn’t smile. Didn’t acknowledge the compliment. Just stared at him like he was nothing.

“Ah, well,” he continued, clearly scrambling. “I hope everything has been to your liking. When I saw that you personally chose our company for the catering, I was beyond honored. This is an amazing year for us, especially with my wife expecting—”

“Your wife?” I cut in, tilting my head slightly. “So soon?” The bastard couldn’t even wait for the rumors to die down before getting married.

Kimberly’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she forced a laugh. “Oh, well… I’m already showing, so we wanted to do the right thing before the baby arrived.” She rested a hand on her stomach. “Martin’s ex-wife never could give him the chance to be a father, so—”

I clenched my fists. I knew I would never have a child of my own, but did they have to rub it in my face? Martin had promised to keep my fertility issues a secret—he knew how much they made me feel less of a woman. But maybe this was a blessing in disguise. At least I didn’t have a child tying me to a man who was never good enough for me.

“You should be thanking my fiancée,” William said, stroking my back. “She is the one who suggested your company.”

“Oh, thank you,” Kimberly gushed. “What’s your name? I didn’t catch it earlier.”

I hesitated for half a second.

“…Elise.” I said with a fake French accent.

“Such a beautiful name,” she mused, eyeing me like she was trying to place me. “You must be a supermodel or something. That dress—stunning. We should go shopping together sometime. I have a great eye for style.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Thank you,”

“You have a familiar aura, I think we have met before, but I can’t quite place a finger on where?” Martin said.

“I doubt that, “ I said, forcing a smile.

Kim furrowed her brows. “Martins, now that you say so… I’m kind of getting the feeling that we went have met…but the name doesn’t strike a nerve,”

Before I could answer, a waiter approached with a tray of appetizers. William picked one up, took a bite and then grabbed his napkin and spat the food out.

Martin paled. “Mr. Stone…?”

William wiped his mouth and turned to me, arching an eyebrow. “What do you think, darling?”

I took a canapé and popped it into my mouth, chewing slowly. It tasted… fine. Maybe even good.

But that didn’t matter.

“I have had worse,” I said nonchalantly. “But I have definitely had better.” I turned to a passing waiter. “Can you bring me something… edible?”

The waiter nodded quickly and hurried off.

Martin swallowed hard. “I—I assure you, Mr. Stone, this is our finest—”

William sighed. “Perhaps hiring your company was a mistake.”

Martin went rigid. Kimberly stiffened beside him.

“I will have to reconsider using your services for the upcoming gala,” William mused. “If this is what you consider your best work, I can’t afford another disappointment.”

Martin’s face drained of color.

Kimberly’s grip on his arm tightened.

Kimberly forced a smile, clearly trying to smooth things over. “I can assure you, we always provide top-tier service. That was a mistake, we can quickly fix up something to your liking right away.”

“No need for that, I’m full for the night,” William said and then turned to me. “Shall we, love?”

Martin opened his mouth to say something but we were already surrounded by other business men.

***********

I stepped into the restroom to freshen up. Being in the same space as my ex-husband was affecting me more than I had expected. I had always dreamed of a perfect marriage—the kind that lived up to the saying marry once, marry right. But instead, I spent five years married to a scumbag, blissfully unaware until he stripped everything from me. And now, I was walking into a second marriage—one just as loveless—all for the sake of revenge against the man who had wronged me. Was I doing the right thing, or had I let revenge consume me?

I turned off the bathroom sink and stared at my reflection in the mirror, lost in thought. But the sound of approaching footsteps snapped me back to reality. I slipped my mask back into place just as the door opened.

Kimberly.

“I—” She stopped, looking nervous. “I just… I wanted to talk to you.”

I turned to leave, but her hand caught my arm.

I snapped my gaze to her.

She quickly let go. “Sorry—sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to… I just…”

And then—she started crying.

I almost laughed.

Drama queen.

“We know we messed up,” she said sniffing. “But Martin and I… we need this contract. If Mr. Stone gives us a bad review, it could ruin us. And with the baby on the way…”

She placed a hand on her stomach, as if I was supposed to feel something. I felt nothing.

But… giving them a bad review?

Too easy.

I smiled slowly. “I will talk to my fiancé.”

Kimberly’s face lit up. “Thank you—thank you so much! I knew you would understand. As a woman, you—”

Her high pitch voice was making my stomach turn, so I left before I said something I couldn’t take back.

She thought she had won.

She had no idea.

This was only the beginning.