Chapter 54

Jasmine’s mind screamed at her to bolt for the door, but her body refused to respond.

The two closed the distance between them, her mother in the lead.

“No hug for your mother? It’s been far too long. Come here, darling.”

Aaron looked between Jasmine and her family rapidly, looked dumbfounded. Her mother raised her arms for a hug, and she managed to take a step back and avoid her embrace.

Andrea appeared annoyed at the whole fiasco and constantly looked out the window as if she were waiting for something interesting to happen.

“Congratulations on your graduation. I’m sorry we didn’t catch you after the ceremony,” her mother continued, a look of self-satisfaction on her face. She stared at her less like a mother to her daughter than a dog who’d finally gotten his bone.

“I didn’t want you there,” she managed to respond, her voice shaky.

Her mom put her hand over her heart. “Why, it almost sounds like you didn’t miss your family. That can’t possibly be the case, right Andrea?”

Her sister remained silent.

“Well now that we’ve finally caught you,” she slid into the seat next to Aaron, who squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, “It’s about time we discuss you returning home.”

Like a zombie, Jasmine took her seat again. “I’m not coming home.”

She laughed, that fake laughter that made Jasmine’s skin crawl every time she heard it, like nails on chalkboard. “Well, of course, you are. You have your MBA, and you’ve gained some valuable experience at Whitlock. Our shareholders are already thrilled at your progress.”

“I’m not going back,” she repeated. She wanted to get angry, to cause a scene, anything that showed her true feelings, but it was like her body and mind were separated by a brick wall.

“We’ve already got you your own house since you value your privacy so much. Of course, we’ll be visiting often, just to make sure everything is going well,” she continued to prattle on with her plan for her daughter’s life, ignoring the real person sat in front of her.

“You can keep seeing that strapping young lad Mr. Whitlock if you’d like. The PR is great for us, and I’m sure it’ll forge a strong bond between our two companies. However, if you’re past that particular fancy, there’s a long list of suitors eager to meet you. Nathan is still interested, though it looks like Andrea might have caught his eye.”

The mention of Nick snapped her back to reality. She slammed her hands against the table and stood up. Several of the other diners and workers looked up at the sudden sound.

“Don’t you dare say his name. You can’t use me like a pawn anymore. Not for the shareholders, not for Whole Treats, and especially not for Nick. You’re going to go home now and never come back.” The malice in her voice was enough to send her mother reeling backwards, her calm façade broken by abject horror on her face.

Andrea scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Stop pretending you’re better than us. We both know you’re not going to make it much longer in New York, and Whitlock’s already over you. He had his week of fun and now you’re yesterday’s news.”

She stared daggers at her sister. “You don’t know anything about me or my life.”

The younger woman pulled out her phone. “You suddenly quit your diner job four months ago after Mr. Casanova here cheated on you,” she said like she was reading a script. Aaron’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “You got a job at Whitlock, and you weren’t qualified for the position. However, rumors within the company suggested you might have used your feminine wiles to gain the position.”

“That’s not—”

Andrea cut her off, “Nicholas took an interest and met with you nearly every week if not more. After meeting him at a bar with coworkers, you ended up in the hospital for unclear reasons. Nicholas was seen entering your apartment shortly after you were released. You graduated and were whisked off to Cannes—you looked gorgeous by the way—where you were seen spending every free moment together.

“Finally, once you got back you went to one of his condos. Having a hell of a time figuring out which one, though. But regardless, you two haven’t been seen together in weeks, in or out of Whitlock’s office building.”

She placed her phone on the table and cocked her head to the side. “Did I miss anything?”

Her hands shook from pure rage. She didn’t know how she’d gotten a hold of so much information, but that was a problem for later. “Whatever you think you know, it’s nothing compared to the truth. And the only truth you need is even if I have to live on the streets, I am never coming back.”

Her sister looked at her nails, her expression bored. “Maybe I can sink my teeth into him. He’d probably like someone with a little bite in her.”

“You bi—”

Somehow Jasmine hadn’t noticed Aaron had stood up and was now behind her, his hands on her arms. “Don’t. Let’s leave now. They aren’t worth it.”

As much as she despised Aaron, she hated her family now more than ever. She grabbed the box and glared at the pair. Her mother’s demeanor had returned to one of smugness. Neither made any move to get up.

“We’ll be seeing you soon, darling,” she called as Aaron led her out of the building.

Jasmine walked with no destination in mind. All she wanted was distance between her and the vipers that had ambushed her.

“Are you okay?” Aaron asked as he followed her. She barely registered his presence.

It was only when the green grass of Central Park came into view that she felt the soreness in her legs. She walked as deep as she could manage and collapsed on a park bench.

Aaron was still there, sat next to her. She pulled out her phone and sent several messages to Nick, described what had happened at the deli and she needed him, or at least his help.

They sat together as the phone remained quiet.

“I’m sorry,” Aaron said simply.

The dam inside her broke. The sobs racked her body as she desperately gasped for breath. Aaron put a hand on her back, and she leaned into him, burying her face in his chest.

“Why? Why?” she asked, over and over again.

“I don’t know. But I’m here for you. You’re safe.”

She was supposed to be safe with Nick. Where was he? He’d never abandon her to her family. Yet there she was, with a person she didn’t care about anymore as the only source of comfort.

It was several long minutes before her breathing regulated itself again. She emerged and wiped the snot and tears from her face. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad I was here.”

She gave him a small smile. “Well, you’re better than nothing, I guess. I can make my way back now.”

He looked dejected at her back-handed compliment. “I’ll get you back to your car at least. It’s getting late.”

She looked at the sun that had just begun to set. “Fine.”

They walked back, and with no sign of her family in sight, she felt safe to at least get in her car.

She opened the door and sat down. Aaron caught it before she could close it.

“Hey Jasmine?”

“Yeah?”

“Nick doesn’t know what he’s missing. I know I didn’t.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Aaron. Good night.”

“Night.”

He walked away, and it was hard to remember not so long ago he’d treated her like dirt.