Chapter 8: The Person Who Wanted Me To Lose
I stared at the name.
I couldn’t speak.
Terrell looked at me.
“Jasmine?””
I pushed the paper away.
“No.””
Harold looked concerned.
“Do you know this person?””
I nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
The name belonged to my cousin, Andre.
My mother’s nephew.
The person who had grown up in our house.
The person who used to call me his little sister.
The person who had hugged me the night before my wedding.
“What would Andre have to gain from this?””
Terrell asked.
Harold closed the folder.
“That is what we need to find out.””
I stood.
“I need to call him.””
Terrell looked uncertain.
“Are you sure?””
“No.””
I looked at him.
“But I need answers.””
I stepped outside the office.
The city moved around me.
Cars passing.
People walking.
Everyone living normal lives while mine felt like it had been turned upside down.
I called Andre.
He answered after two rings.
“Jasmine?””
His voice sounded nervous.
That alone told me everything.
“Why did you call the attorney this morning?””
Silence.
“Who told you that?””
My chest tightened.
“So it’s true.””
“Jasmine, listen—”
“No.””
I closed my eyes.
“Just answer me.””
Another pause.
Then he sighed.
“I was trying to help you.””
I almost dropped the phone.
“Help me?””
“Yes.””
“By stopping my appointment?””
“You don’t understand what you’re walking into.””
I looked through the office window.
Terrell was watching me.
“What did you know?””
Andre lowered his voice.
“Your father made mistakes.””
I froze.
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
“Because it’s true.””
“No. Everyone keeps using that sentence instead of telling me the truth.””
Andre went quiet.
Then he said,
“Your father was desperate after your mother died.””
I swallowed.
“What does that mean?””
“He made a deal.””
“With Delphine?””
“Yes.””
I leaned against the wall.
“What kind of deal?””
Andre hesitated.
“A deal that would keep you away from the Vance family.””
My heart stopped.
“Why?””
“Because he thought they would hurt you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“And now?””
“Now he realizes he was wrong.””
I looked back at the office.
Terrell was standing beside the window.
The man I was supposed to marry.
The man whose family had been connected to mine long before we met.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?””
Andre’s voice softened.
“Because everyone thought they were protecting you.””
I closed my eyes.
“I’m tired of being protected.””
“I know.””
“Where is my father?””
Andre didn’t answer.
“Where is he?””
Finally, he said,
“He’s on his way.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
Andre whispered,
“Because he knows the truth is coming out today.””
The call ended.
I stood there for a moment.
Then I walked back inside.
Terrell immediately knew something was wrong.
“What happened?””
I looked at him.
“My father is coming.””
Harold gathered the documents.
“That changes things.””
“Why?””
He looked serious.
“Because your father was not just a witness to what happened.””
He placed the second agreement on the table.
“He was the person who created the final condition.””
I stared at the paper.
“What condition?””
May you like
Harold looked at me.
“The one that determines who truly owns the property.””
