Chapter 131 Out

Chapter 131 Out
Dominic held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then exhaled softly. “Fine.”

He turned toward the door, taking a few steps before pausing. Just enough to glance back over his shoulder.

His eyes met Jasmine’s one last time. Then he smiled faintly. “We’ll talk again.”

Was that a promise or a threat? Jasmine couldn’t tell. He walked out.

And only then did Jasmine realize she had been holding her breath. Damien turned to her immediately. His expression shifted the second he looked at her. The hardness melted into something else. Love and concern.

“Did he touch you?” he asked, his voice tight.

She shook her head quickly. "No.”

“Did he say anything to you?”

Jasmine hesitated then shook her head again. “Nothing important.”

Damien didn’t look convinced. But he didn’t push. Instead, he stepped closer, his hands coming to rest on her arms. Steadying her.

“You don’t go anywhere near him,” he said firmly. “Do you understand me?”

Jasmine nodded. “I do.”

His grip softened slightly. His thumb brushing over her arm. “I mean it.”

“I know.”

He studied her for a moment longer then pulled her into his chest, just holding her there. As if he could shield her from everything just by doing that. Jasmine sighs, wrapping her hands around his torso, pressing her face into his chest. She let her tense shoulders relax.

The question remained on her tongue. Why was Dominic here? From what Damien and Darcy had explained about Damien's past, Dominic was the one who had taken over Dick Blackwood's gang. So why was he here? And what was that smug look on his lips? It all did not sit right with her. And the way Damien was acting protective. Well, more than usual.

Something was going on. Should she inform Darcy? Was it all just a family reunion of sorts or business? What would Damien possibly have to do with Dominic concerning business?
She let all the questions die on her tongue. Her mind had been working overtime, scared and anxious the past few days.

She would deal with the issue later. Right now she had to focus on herself. And she had to speak with Uncle Thomas.

~

JASMINE

The house still felt too big and quiet. Even with people in it, even with voices drifting faintly through the halls, there was something about the silence that wrapped around my chest and squeezed.

It wasn’t the peaceful kind of quiet. It was the kind that made you listen closely… made every creak of wood, every distant sound feel like something waiting to happen. I sat curled up on the edge of the bed, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of Damien’s shirt I had stolen earlier.

It was too big for me, the sleeves swallowing my hands, the scent of him clinging to the fabric. It grounded me, kept me from drifting too far into my thoughts.

Still, my leg wouldn’t stop bouncing. Still, my mind wouldn’t stop racing.

A soft knock came at the door before it creaked open slightly. “Jasmine?” Richelle’s voice floated in, gentle, careful… like she was afraid I might shatter if she spoke too loudly.

“I’m here,” I answered quietly.

She stepped in, closing the door behind her, her eyes scanning me quickly. Not in a judging way… in a worried way. Like she was checking to make sure I was still okay.

“Hey,” she smiled softly, walking closer.

“Hey,” I replied, forcing a small smile back.

For a moment, neither of us said anything. She just sat beside me, close enough that our shoulders brushed. Then she nudged me lightly.

“You’ve been hiding up here all morning,” she said, her tone light but knowing. “That’s not allowed.”

I huffed out a small breath. “I wasn’t hiding.”

She raised a brow. “Really?”

“…okay maybe a little.”

That earned a quiet laugh from her, and for a brief second, something warm flickered in my chest. “I was thinking,” she began, turning slightly to face me, “we should go out today.”

My head snapped toward her almost instantly. “…out?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Movie, shopping… something fun. Something normal.”

Normal. The word felt foreign to me. My stomach twisted immediately, unease creeping up my spine. My fingers tightened around the fabric of Damien’s shirt.

“I don’t know…” I whispered, my gaze dropping.

Richelle didn’t push right away.

She just watched me, patient. “You don’t have to do anything crazy,” she said softly. “We’ll stay somewhere safe. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

I swallowed. “It’s just…” I hesitated, my voice barely above a whisper. “Being outside… around people…”

Images flashed before my eyes before I could stop them. Dark walls, cold floors, hands grabbing me, voices shouting. My breathing hitched.

Richelle’s hand immediately found mine, squeezing gently. “Hey… hey, you’re okay,” she murmured. “You’re safe.”

I blinked rapidly, forcing the images away. “I know,” I whispered, though my voice wavered.

She shifted closer, her shoulder pressing firmly against mine. "Jasmine,” she said gently, “you don’t have to rush anything. But staying locked inside your head isn’t going to help either.”

I knew that. I hated that I knew that.

“I’ll be right there,” she continued, her voice softer now. “If it gets too much, we leave. Immediately. No questions asked.”

I looked at her then, really looked at her.
There was no pity in her eyes. Just care, sincere care and love.

“…promise?” I asked quietly.