BOUND TO THE TEXAS TYCOON

Chapter Fifteen

Jasmine’s POV

I was putting on my lipstick when I heard a knock on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” I said, checking myself in the vanity mirror. I had chosen a simple brown cotton shirt and shorts.

Dominga walked in carrying a tray. “Ma’am, it is still early. Why are you already up? I brought you breakfast in bed.”

“Thank you so much, Dominga, but I have a lot to do today. I want to look around the ranch, get to know some of the staff, and check on the kids Adonis is helping. I will eat when I get back.”

Dominga smiled to herself, trying to hide it, but I caught the expression.

“What is it?” I asked, tilting my head.

“Ma’am, I am just glad the sadness you have been carrying is starting to fade. You used to stay in bed all day, and now you want to go out and see everything your husband has built here. It makes me happy to see this change.”

I gave her an awkward smile. “I do not have much choice, do I? Have you seen Adonis this morning?”

“No, ma’am. I thought he was still sleeping.” Dominga glanced around the room as if looking for clues.

“He slept in the guest room. I will head out now.” I turned to leave, then stopped and faced her again. “Thank you, Dominga.”

A short while later, one of the drivers dropped me off at Mr. Albert’s place. I had done my best to avoid Louis. Mr. Albert was the man in charge of everything related to the children in the countryside. He had worked for Adonis’s father long before Adonis was born and had even stood in as a father figure for Adonis on our wedding day. I felt comfortable with him.

“Jasmine, honey, it is so good to see you.” Mr. Albert pulled me into a warm hug.

“How are you, sir?”

“Very well, my dear. Come sit down.”

“I came to the main house yesterday, but Dominga told me you had gone to your family’s place.”

“Yes. I missed them so much. I am glad Adonis let us visit.”

Mr. Albert’s face grew serious. “Honey, the way things are between you and your husband breaks my heart. It worries me a lot. I have known Adonis his whole life. He is not the bad man you think he is, and I believe you are a good woman too. That is why it hurts to see there is no harmony, respect, or love between you. I know the circumstances of your marriage were not ideal. There were tricks and misunderstandings, but you are both still young. I do not see why you cannot build a strong marriage and real love together.”

I did not realize I had started crying until the tears rolled down my cheeks. I wiped them away quickly. “Did Adonis ask you to talk to me about this?”

“No, honey. I am doing this because Adonis is like a son to me, and I see how he looks at you. If you truly see me as a father figure, I hope you will listen.”

“You do not know how hard these days have been for me. I need to find the strength to accept everything that is happening.” The tears came faster now.

“The only real mistake Adonis made was making that deal with your mother, but he did it out of love. Because he loves you. He told me that, and I believe him. Adonis is in love with you.”

“Oh, Mr. Albert, why are you telling me all this today? I did not come here for this. Please do not make me question what I am feeling.” I stood up.

“Jasmine, I have been wanting to talk to you, and today just felt like the right time. You are the only one who can give Adonis the feeling of happiness and family again.” He stood up too and took my hands. “Forget about everyone else and get close to your husband. Trust him. Love him, not because it is your duty as his wife, but because he deserves it from you.”

“I am so confused right now. I do not know what to do. You keep talking about how sincere Adonis is, but that is not how I see him. The problem is that I still love Sebastian. Every time Adonis shows me kindness, I feel guilty for still thinking about Sebastian.”

“Who is Sebastian?”

“My boyfriend, Mr. Albert. The only man I planned to spend my future with.”

I tried so hard to forget him, but I could not. I swear I tried, but it’s even harder now that he’s….My voice trailed off.

“What, Jasmine? Go on, dear.”

“I am afraid to tell you because of your relationship with Adonis. I worry you might betray me.”

“Me? Betray you, honey? What are you talking about? Everything we discuss here stays between us, Jasmine. Go on and talk.” He urged me gently.

I looked straight into his eyes and saw real sincerity there. “Sebastian is right here at the ranch.”

Mr. Albert’s eyes widened.

“What?”

His voice came out much louder than before.

“He’s here? And Adonis does not know?”

“No. Adonis does not know what he looks like.”

“Are you planning to run away with him? Do not do that, Jasmine. I do not want you to see the side of Adonis he is desperately trying to hide from you. I told you this on your wedding day. Adonis has a wild anger that I do not want you to witness.”

“I know. These past few nights I have thought about it a lot, and I am tired of this back and forth. I am tired of running like a fugitive.”

“That is the spirit, my dear. I am glad you have thought it through.”

“What should I do now to let go of the love I still feel, Mr. Albert?”

“Love isn’t just about the man you dreamed of marrying. It’s also about the man who stays when everything falls apart.”

That other man does not even have the courage to fight for the love you shared, even if it cost him his life. He prefers to hide and plan how to escape with you. That man is a coward, unlike Adonis, and this is not me just siding with my boy. A real man shows his face and deals with the consequences. So explain to me how you can still love someone like that.”

“I plan to meet him today to give him my answer on how to handle this mess. I used coming here as an excuse so Adonis would not suspect anything.”

“And what answer did you plan to give him?” He held my shoulders gently.

“I do not know. I am confused. I do not want to hurt Sebastian. Mr. Albert, can you understand how I feel?” I was shaking now.

“You need to calm down and think carefully, Jasmine.”

“But Sebastian wants answers today.”

“Give yourself time. Think about whether you want to keep running like a fugitive or stay here with Adonis. But do not take too long, because Sebastian cannot stay on this ranch forever.”

“Thank you, Mr. Albert. I feel relieved after pouring my heart out to you.”

“You are always welcome, honey.”

I took a deep breath.

I still owed Sebastian an answer.

But before I could give him one, I had to figure out the truth hidden inside my own heart.