Chapter 63 Daily needs
Across the street, parked beneath the shadow of a tree, Raymond sat in his car, watching.
His eyes followed Damien’s every movement as the man exited the house, got into his car, and pulled away from the curb.
Raymond’s hands tightened around the steering wheel.His jaw clenched so hard it ached.
“So… this is how it is,” he muttered bitterly.
While Damien pretended to give Jasmine space, he was really using the chance to win her back.
The thought made something dark twist in Raymond’s chest. He sat there long after Damien’s car disappeared down the road, stewing in anger. Fuming. His breathing came fast and shallow, his thoughts spiraling.
He doesn’t deserve her.
He hurt her.
And now he thinks he can just walk back into her life with flowers? Then the front door of Richelle’s house opened again.
Raymond straightened.
Jasmine stepped out, followed closely by Richelle. They laughed softly about something Raymond couldn’t hear, and Jasmine tucked her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Raymond’s eyes narrowed.
They began walking down the street toward the small neighborhood supermarket.
A slow, dangerous grin curved Raymond’s lips.
He pulled his hood up and exited his car, keeping his distance. Ten steps behind them. Just far enough not to be noticed. They walked side by side, unaware of the shadow trailing them.
Inside the supermarket, fluorescent lights hummed overhead. The air smelled faintly of bread and detergent. Richelle and Jasmine grabbed a basket and headed down the aisles.
Raymond followed.
He stayed just out of sight, watching as they wandered through shelves of groceries. Waiting. Patient. Like a predator stalking prey.
Finally, they split. Richelle turned toward the ice cream aisle.
Jasmine walked toward the daily needs aisle.
Raymond’s grin widened.
Now.
Jasmine stood in front of a shelf of body creams, holding one bottle in her hand. She turned it over, reading the label carefully.
“Vitamin E… aloe… hydration,” she murmured to herself. “Sounds promising.”
She lifted another bottle, comparing the two.
She meant to go find Richelle and ask her opinion.
But when she turned— She bumped into someone.
The bottle slipped from her fingers and clattered loudly onto the floor.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” Jasmine said quickly. “I wasn’t looking—”
The stranger bent down and picked up the bottle, handing it back to her.
“It’s fine,” he said.
Jasmine froze.
Her eyes lifted to his face, it was Raymond.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Ray?” she whispered. “What are you doing here?”
Before she could step back, Raymond placed a hand over her mouth and pulled her into a quieter aisle.
“Shh,” he murmured urgently.
They stopped between shelves of paper towels and cleaning supplies. Raymond released her mouth, and Jasmine stumbled back, staring at him in shock.
“What are you doing?” she demanded. “Are you following me?”
Raymond pulled down his hood. His eyes burned with something fierce. “While I was giving you space,” he said coldly, “Damien was here poisoning you against me.”
Jasmine frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw him leaving Richelle’s house,” Raymond snapped. “Don’t lie to me.”
Her heart dropped. “You were watching us?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer and took her hands in his.
“Don’t believe him,” he said urgently. “Whatever he told you—don’t believe it.”
“Ray, stop,” Jasmine said, pulling slightly. “Let it go.”
“You’re making a mistake,” he insisted. “Letting yourself fall back into his arms.”
“It’s my choice,” she snapped. “And stop using that kiss to guilt me.”
Raymond’s voice softened. “You felt it too. You know you did.”
She pulled her hands away. “It was a mistake. I should’ve pulled away sooner.”
“Don’t say that,” he said sharply. “I know you felt something.”
“I don’t,” she said firmly. “I have no feelings for you. Damien and I are married. Even if it’s by contract.”
Raymond laughed bitterly. “And you really think he’s loyal to you?” She blinked
Silence fell between them. She hadn’t thought about it.
Hadn’t questioned if Damien had anyone else.
“Let it go, Ray,” she whispered. “Forget about the kiss.”
She turned to leave.
Raymond grabbed her arm and yanked her back.
Her basket fell with a loud crash, items spilling across the floor as she collided with his chest.
“Ouch!” Jasmine cried. “Let me go!”
He didn’t.
“You need to remember,” Raymond said desperately. “Us. The times we laughed. Cooked. When you held me.”
Her eyes filled with guilt. “I didn’t mean to lead you on…” Before she could finish, Raymond wrapped an arm around her waist and forced her against him.
Jasmine struggled. “Ray, stop!”
His hand moved to her face, pinching her jaw and tilting her head up.
“Don’t fight it,” he whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her. Jasmine screamed into his mouth, biting down hard. Raymond groaned and pulled back.
She slapped him.
The sound echoed down the aisle. Blood stained her bottom lip. His lip bled too.
Richelle rushed in. “Jasmine!”
“Let’s go,” Jasmine said shakily.
They hurried away.
On a bench outside, Jasmine told Richelle everything. Richelle hugged her tightly. “We have to tell Damien.”
Was this all her fault?
Richelle held her as she cried.
Jasmine sat on the bench outside the supermarket, her knees drawn close to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around herself as if she could hold the world away.
Her hands were trembling.
Richelle knelt in front of her, gripping her shoulders gently. “Jasmine… look at me.”
Jasmine lifted her head. Her eyes were glassy, her lower lip split and stained red. She wiped at it with her sleeve again, though the shaking wouldn’t stop.
“I told him to leave me alone,” she whispered. “I told him over and over.”
Richelle’s face twisted in fury. “He assaulted you.”
Jasmine flinched at the word.
“I should’ve been clearer,” she murmured. “I shouldn’t have let things get confusing between us. I made him think—”
“No,” Richelle cut in sharply. “You did nothing wrong. He crossed a line.”
Jasmine stared at the pavement. Her chest felt hollow. The image replayed in her mind over and over—Raymond’s grip, his mouth, the panic when she realized how strong he was.
“I was so scared,” she admitted. “I couldn’t breathe.”