Chapter 32 Strategist
Jasmine stood rooted to the spot. Her hands were clasped tight due to the turmoil within her. She couldn't bring herself to step into the car, not when she felt so filthy.
"Thank... thank you, but no, I wouldn't want to bother you," she said stiffly, waving her hand dismissively.
Ethan didn't press further. He had considered just driving away, yet the sight of Jasmine limping in the rearview mirror stirred an inexplicable irritation within him.
...
Jasmine didn't go home.
The thought of Richard seeing her in such a disheveled state with cuts on her face and hands would only cause him needless worry.
After all, what good would it do to worry her family if she couldn't change the dire situation she was in?
Once, Jasmine had been the apple of the Wilson family's eye, never having to face injustice or hardship throughout her privileged upbringing.
Sheltered and basking in the light of affluence, she had been oblivious to the darkness at society's fringes.
Stripped of everything, she came to a grim realization-how laughable it was for someone without backing to even think of resistance.
Finding a bench in a nearby park, Jasmine gently touched her forehead and lay down slowly.
Her head was spinning.
At this rate, maybe she'd meet a quicker end.
Staring at the burn scar on the back of her hand, Jasmine's gaze solidified.
hurt? It
believed had
think their mutual love could lead
if she hadn't been the Wilson family heiress in high school and if
nature was never
always luring boys. Strip her down, and
trying
heard about your multiple boyfriends outside school,
and slander
others
her again and see what happens," Daniel
date," he said later while perched on
hand was suddenly yanked
cried out, trapped in
Haunted by the past.
winter in San Francisco wasn't particularly harsh, but the
her blanket tighter around her as a
"Get up."
Jasmine thought she saw a figure bathed in the soft glow of the park lights, standing against the light as if he were a divine being sent to
voice was hoarse,
man's voice
eyes, Jasmine murmured, "I'm probably going to
"Why's that?"
been dead a long time ago..." Her voice was raspy
mother and the successful heart surgery she had received as part of the Wilson family, she should have died early on. A defiance of
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