Chapter 9: The Final Condition
My father arrived twenty minutes later.
He looked older than I remembered.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like carrying a secret for years had finally become too heavy.
When he saw me, he stopped.
“Jasmine.””
I did not move.
“You knew.””
His face changed.
“I know what you think.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“I don’t think anything anymore.””
The words hurt him.
Good.
Because I had spent years hurting quietly.
“I want the truth.””
My father looked at Harold.
Then at Terrell.
Then back at me.
“I made a mistake.””
I almost smiled.
There it was again.
The same sentence everyone used when the damage was already done.
“A mistake?””
My father nodded.
“I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
He looked down.
“Losing you.””
I stepped closer.
“You lost me because you chose secrets.””
His eyes filled.
“I thought I was protecting you from Delphine.””
“Then why did you give her control?””
He looked shocked.
“How do you know that?””
“Because everyone finally decided I deserved to know.””
My father sat down.
“I thought if Delphine had what she wanted, she would leave you alone.””
“And did she?””
He looked away.
“No.””
Exactly.
Harold placed the documents in front of him.
“Marcus, it is time.””
My father stared at the papers.
“I hoped this day would never come.””
Terrell crossed his arms.
“What did you put in the agreement?””
My father looked at him.
“The final condition.””
Nobody spoke.
Finally, he said,
“Your grandfather knew Delphine wanted control.””
Harold nodded.
“So he asked Marcus to create a safeguard.””
I looked confused.
“What safeguard?””
My father looked at me.
“You.””
I froze.
“Me?””
“Yes.””
He opened the agreement.
“Your mother believed you deserved the choice one day.””
My fingers touched the page.
The condition was simple.
If Jasmine Okafor willingly chose to marry into the Vance family, and if the original investors’ rights were challenged, ownership would transfer to Jasmine.
I stared.
“My marriage?””
My father nodded.
“Your mother believed the person who truly loved you would never use the property against you.””
I looked at Terrell.
He looked back at me.
Suddenly, the wedding was no longer just a wedding.
It was the final piece of a promise made before I was even old enough to understand it.
My father whispered,
“I tried to stop it because I thought Delphine would destroy your happiness.””
“And instead?””
He closed his eyes.
“I became part of the reason she controlled your life.””
The room stayed quiet.
Then Harold’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What happened?””
Everyone looked at him.
He listened for several seconds.
Then he slowly lowered the phone.
“The property office just received a new filing.””
Terrell stood.
“What filing?””
Harold looked at me.
“Delphine has challenged the transfer.””
My heart sank.
“Can she do that?””
Harold hesitated.
“She can try.””
“Try?””
He looked toward the window.
“But she is not alone.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
Harold picked up the document that had just been delivered.
The signature at the bottom was fresh.
The person supporting Delphine’s challenge had signed it only minutes ago.
I looked at the name.
May you like
And my blood ran cold.
Because the person standing against me was someone I never thought I would have to fight.
