Chapter 11: The Friend Who Knew Everything
I held the photograph in my hand.
My fingers felt numb.
“Rachel?””
Nobody spoke.
Because they all knew.
They all knew that name mattered.
Rachel Collins had been my best friend since college.
She was the person who helped me choose my wedding dress.
The person who stayed with me after my mother died.
The person who knew every fear I had.
And now she was standing beside Delphine.
“Jasmine,” Terrell said quietly.
I put the photograph down.
“No.””
My voice cracked.
“I need to hear this from her.””
Harold nodded.
“She is already here.””
I looked toward the door.
A few seconds later, Rachel entered.
Her face changed the moment she saw me.
“Jasmine.””
I could hear the sadness in her voice.
But I could also hear guilt.
“Why?””
That was the only question I had.
She looked down.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I almost laughed.
That sentence again.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
Rachel’s eyes filled.
“I know how it sounds.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t.””
She stepped closer.
“I found out about the agreement months ago.””
My chest tightened.
“And you said nothing?””
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at Terrell.
“Of what would happen if Jasmine married into this family without knowing the truth.””
I stared at her.
“So you helped Delphine?””
“No.””
Her answer came quickly.
“I helped you.””
“By hiding things from me?””
Rachel looked away.
That was enough.
I walked to the window.
Outside, the city continued moving.
People laughing.
People shopping.
People living normal lives.
My wedding day had become a courtroom before I even said my vows.
Rachel spoke softly.
“Delphine threatened me.””
I turned.
“With what?””
“She knew about my father’s debt.””
I froze.
“What?””
Rachel wiped her eyes.
“She said if I didn’t help her find a way around the transfer, she would ruin my family.””
For the first time, I saw something besides betrayal.
Fear.
Real fear.
But fear did not erase what happened.
“You still lied to me.””
“I know.””
“Why didn’t you come to me?””
Rachel looked at me.
“Because I thought you would choose Terrell.””
I stared.
“And?””
She swallowed.
“I thought if I told you, you would lose everything.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
My voice became steady.
“You thought you knew what was best for me.””
Rachel cried quietly.
And I hated that part of me still cared.
Because betrayal hurt more when it came from someone you loved.
Harold closed the file.
“There is one more issue.””
Everyone looked at him.
“What now?””
He placed another document on the table.
“The challenge filed by Delphine is based on one claim.””
Terrell picked it up.
“What claim?””
Harold answered.
“She claims Jasmine was manipulated into marriage because of the property.””
I felt my stomach drop.
“That’s a lie.””
“Yes.””
Harold nodded.
“But if she can prove it, she can delay the transfer.””
My father looked angry.
“Delphine will say anything.””
Harold looked at me.
“She will.””
“Then what do we do?””
He glanced at the clock.
The wedding ceremony was supposed to begin soon.
“We prove one thing.””
“What?””
“That Jasmine chose Terrell before she knew about the house.””
Silence.
Then Terrell reached into his pocket.
He pulled out something small.
A receipt.
An old one.
I looked confused.
“What is that?””
He smiled sadly.
“Something I kept from the day I knew I loved you.””
I took it.
And the date made my breath catch.
It was from the first week we met.
Long before either of us knew anything about the property.
Terrell looked at me.
“You were never my choice because of a house.””
My eyes filled.
But before I could answer, Harold’s assistant rushed into the room.
“Mr. Bennett.””
Everyone turned.
“The courthouse just received another filing.””
Harold stood.
“What filing?””
May you like
The assistant looked at me.
“Delphine is claiming there is another heir.””
