Chapter 2
"Jasmin, are you feeling sick anywhere?" James asked, worry clear in his voice.
He hung up and turned around, spotting Jasmin crouched on the floor, her face gone white. He hurried over and helped her up.
"Let me get you back to your room, then I'll go grab a doctor," James said.
Jasmin stared at James, his worried face just inches away, and for the first time, she was struck by a chilling sense of unfamiliarity.
'How could he kill our child with his own hands and not even bat an eye?' Jasmin thought.
The night Jasmin told him she was pregnant, James reached out and touched her belly, which hadn't even started to show yet. His voice was low and bitter. "Jasmin, maybe we shouldn't keep the baby?"
"Zephyr Group's only been around for three years, and it's just now getting on track. Your career's taking off, too. This really isn't the best time for a kid," James continued.
Seeing how pale she looked, James tried to reassure her. "Hey, don't worry. We're still young, we'll have a baby when things settle down. And if it'll make you feel better, we can get the marriage license now."
Jasmin forced herself to say yes, but inside, it felt like her heart was being ripped apart.
She loved James, had stuck by his side through thick and thin. She knew better than anyone just how hard-earned his success was.
Jasmin was so weak she couldn't even stand on her own, so she let James help her to her feet, unable to muster any strength herself.
Lying in bed, Jasmin watched James fetching tea and water for her, but she just couldn't understand how he could hurt their child for Chloe's sake.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Feeling hungry?" James asked, catching her gaze.
James smiled at her fondly, then grabbed the contract off the table.
"This is your renewal contract, and here's the share transfer agreement. I'm giving you 10% of the company," James said.
"What is this supposed to be? Blood money for the baby?" Jasmin demanded.
She noticed her own voice was hoarse and trembling.
James let out a sigh and tucked the blanket around her. "Come on, don't talk like that. I've been planning this for you from the very beginning. This company was always meant for you, so don't read too much into it."
"Once you're feeling better, we can go get married. We'll have another chance at a family," James said gently.
He set the contract down beside her and brought over the lunchbox he'd prepared.
"I had Mary make your favorite soup ahead of time. Eat a little to get some strength back. Once you're feeling better, I'll take you out for your favorite food," James said.
"Sign the contract after you eat. If there's anything you don't like, just let me know and I'll have them change it," he added.
James carefully served up the soup and started spoon-feeding her.
Jasmin saw the greasy layer floating on the soup, and her stomach churned with nausea. Suddenly, she started dry heaving hard.
James's face went tense. He quickly put down the bowl and reached out to help her.
But just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and picked up, his voice softening without him even realizing it. "What's wrong?"
Whatever was said on the other end made James's calm expression crack. He frowned.
"Stay right there, don't go anywhere. I'll be there in a minute," he said.
He hung up in a rush, got up, and grabbed the coat from the chair, wrapping it around Jasmin's shoulders.
"Jasmin, I've got some work to handle, so I won't be able to stay with you for now. I'll send my assistant over in a bit. Just let him know if you need anything," James said.
Then he pointed at the bowl of soup. "Don't act like a kid, alright? This soup's good for you. I'll have my assistant keep an eye on you and make sure you finish it."
Before Jasmin could respond, James hurried out, not waiting for her reply.
Jasmin gripped the cold edge of her coat, feeling like her insides were screaming in agony. She kept retching until tears blurred her vision, not even noticing when they started to fall.
Her heart was shaking so hard, she thought it might shatter.
When the assistant came in, Jasmin had already wiped away her tears and was just staring out at the falling leaves outside the window.
Jasmin's voice was rough, barely sounding like herself. "What's going on with Chloe?"
The assistant froze for a second, but when Jasmin gave him a piercing stare, he spilled the truth before he could stop himself. "Miss Moss is getting ready for the Vanguard Charity Gala. She couldn't decide what to wear to match Mr. Baldwin, so he went to help her pick out an outfit..."
Jasmin's expression didn't change, but she managed a bitter, twisted smile.
That spot was something she'd fought for, three years and 30 million dollars poured into charity projects, all to earn that invitation.
"Mr. Baldwin said since you and Miss Moss are both signed to Zephyr Group, he told everyone you were sick, so Miss Moss went instead," the assistant said.
Jasmin checked her phone and pulled up the live stream of the gala, where the country's most famous tycoons and investors had all gathered.
Chloe and James sat front and center, both dressed in custom-made outfits and sparkling jewelry from overseas, looking every bit the picture-perfect couple.
The host thanked Zephyr Group for their 10 million dollar charity investment. Chloe linked her arm with James's, smiling brightly as she accepted the host's praise.
"Charity is something that really matters to everyone. I know I'm just an actress, but I want to do whatever I can to help out," Chloe said.
Everyone burst into applause, and James couldn't help but look at Chloe with genuine admiration.
Jasmin's heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand tiny needles. Her nails dug deep into her palms, eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, but she forced herself to watch every second of the live stream, refusing to look away no matter how much it hurt.