Chapter 67 Chapter 67

Chapter 67 Chapter 67


Carter

I watched Mila leave the house to get some beverages from the store, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. I had tried to follow her, eager to escape my thoughts and clasp fresh outside the house but she wouldn't heed. 

I didn't want to argue with her or make it seem like I want to run out of the house with a silly excuse. 

The door closed behind her, a loud groan escaped my lips, I settled into the couch, surrounded by the silence of the house.

Finally, I admitted to myself that Tessa was smart and determined. When she said she didn't want to talk to me, she meant it. Maybe that's the best thing to do now, giving each other space that we both desire. 

I thought about our conversation earlier, how she'd hung up on me. Her words still lingered in my mind, "I just want to be alone."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. I had been so caught up in my feelings that I hadn't considered Tessa's needs.

She needed space, and I had to respect that.

But it was hard. I missed her already.

I missed our laughter, our conversations, and our quiet moments together. I missed everything about her. 

I wish Tessa could be closer to me now, but I guess locking herself up was the only option that made sense to her. I stood up to leave, but the sound of the door halted me.

"I-Mila," I started, before realizing it was Jasmine standing before me, her gaze cold and fierce.

"Why are you so confused?" she asked, stepping further inside the room, her eyes scanning my body with an unnerving intensity.

Her statement was laced with venom, but what could I do? I had mainly caused this rift from the start.

"You're back home?" I asked, relief washing over me. She had threatened not to return until I ended things with Tessa, which I'd made clear was impossible.

Not now, when Tessa needed me more for reassurance. I didn't want anything to bother her.

"Don't you want me to come home?" Jasmine asked, a fake smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Did you now hate me?" she added, her voice dripping with malice.

I hissed inwardly. How could she say something like that?

"You know that's a big word for you to use on your dad," I said, falling back onto the couch, my eyes locked on hers.

"How could you think I hate you, Jasmine?" I added, my tone laced with concern.

I watched her smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement, before she walked over to sit beside me.

There was a minute of silence between us, maybe I was lost for words, but I knew Jasmine wasn't. She was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Her presence seemed to fill the room, suffocating me.

I could feel her eyes boring into me, searching for weaknesses.

What was she planning?

The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.

I knew I had to break it, but what could I say?

"Dad!" Jasmine suddenly called out, her voice laced with desperation, getting my curiosity piqued.

"Are you seriously not going to end ties with her?" she asked, her eyes blazing with anger.

It took me a few moments before I nodded my head, feeling a sense of resignation.

"Seriously?" Jasmine asked, her teeth gritted, her face twisted in disgust.

"Out of all the people in this life, why her?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage.

I hated seeing her sad, but her words cut deep.

"I have already made it clear to you, Jasmine, don't let us repeat the same thing all over again," I stated, looking down at the floor, avoiding her piercing gaze.

"But no matter how hard I try to grasp the gravity of why you're doing this, I still can't," Jasmine continued, her voice rising.

"I mean, why? Why why? Why? Just why would you try to date someone at your daughter's age!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the room.

Her words stung, but I knew I had to remain calm.

"Lower your voice, please," I tried to calm her down, but she was beyond consolation.

"Why? Are you afraid her mom would hear?" Jasmine sneered, her eyes flashing with anger.

I stared at her, my eyes welling up with tears.

"When you know you'd be scared, why did you start in the first place? You told me you wanted to get married for the sake of your health, so what's happening now? Can you just explain?" Jasmine asked, tears streaming down her cheeks.

I hated this feeling, torn between my want for Tessa and my daughter's tears.

"Jasmine, please understand, this is my life that I'm living, you can't choose for your father," I explained, trying to reason with her.

But she wouldn't listen.

"Tell me why you have to live your life so shamelessly!" Jasmine screamed, her words piercing my heart.

"Why can't you think about me also? It's draining. No matter how hard I think about it, it keeps circling. I can't figure out why you have to be with her. She's a girl my age! She's my age, Papa. She's a teenager, you're ruining your own family with your desires," Jasmine cried, each word cutting deeper.

"Jasmine, stop. Stop!" I tried to calm myself, but my anger had started taking over.

"I'm not going to stop until you back off from her!" Jasmine stood up, her eyes enlarged with determination.

"If you don't put an end to this act of yours, I promise to come for you in a way that you're not expecting. I promise," Jasmine threatened, her voice dripping with malice.

That was her last statement before she turned to leave, but suddenly halted.

"You won't want your dear step-wife to know your dirty behavior, will you?" she smiled wickedly before finally exiting the room.

Reality hit me hard, what if she told Mila? The thought sent shivers down my spine. What had I gotten myself into?