Beneath the Leather

Chapter 16: Unwelcome Visitor

Jazmine stood frozen in the living room, Hercules at her side, heart hammering in her chest. Her eyes never left Devon and Liz in the bedroom—so close, so intimate, the betrayal undeniable.

The apartment felt suffocating. Shadows twisted under the lamplight, every creak of the floorboards echoing in her ears. Her chest tightened as she gripped the leash, unsure if she had the strength to move.

From the hallway came familiar footsteps. Jazmine tensed.

“I swear, he owes me for this…” a voice called out, light and teasing, but with an edge of impatience.

It was Tasha. Jazmine’s best friend. The one who had known all along and had been covering for Devon.

Tasha stepped into the living room, casual at first—but her confidence faltered the moment she saw Jazmine standing there, eyes wide, trembling with hurt. She stopped mid-step, glancing toward the bedroom.

Jazmine’s voice shook, barely above a whisper. “Tasha… you knew, didn’t you? About him… with her?”

Tasha blinked, a flicker of guilt crossing her face, but then she forced a small, defensive smile. “I… I mean… I didn’t want you to find out this way. You’ve been asking so many questions, and… Devon owes me for covering for him.”

Jazmine’s jaw tightened. “Covering for him? While he’s… in his own house… with Liz?”

Tasha hesitated, glancing nervously toward the bedroom. “Look… I thought I was protecting you. I didn’t want you to get hurt. I thought if I kept quiet, maybe you wouldn’t have to see…” She swallowed, her words faltering. “I didn’t mean for it to… go this far.”

Jazmine’s hands shook, clutching Hercules’ leash tighter. “Protect me? By letting him cheat? By letting this happen right under my nose?”

Tasha’s gaze flicked back and forth between Jazmine and the bedroom. “I… I was trying to be fair. I know he’s messed up, but—”

Jazmine cut her off, voice rising. “Fair? Tasha, he’s lying, cheating, and you’re still trying to make excuses?!”

At that moment, Devon stepped into the doorway of the bedroom, fully aware of Jazmine’s presence. His expression was guarded, his jaw tight, eyes flicking briefly toward Tasha before returning to Jazmine.

“You’re here,” he said, voice low but sharp. “I figured you’d come.”

Jazmine’s chest heaved. “Of course I’m here, Devon. I saw everything. Don’t even try to act like you didn’t know I’d find out.”

Devon’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I… I didn’t think it would happen like this.”

Jazmine’s hands tightened on the leash. “You didn’t think it would happen like this? You’re cheating on me in your house… and you didn’t think I’d find out?”

Tasha shifted, attempting to mediate, though it was clear she was torn. “Jaz… calm down. I—”

“No, Tasha!” Jazmine snapped, her voice trembling with anger and heartbreak. “I don’t want you to calm me down. I want answers. From him. From both of you.”

Devon’s eyes flicked to Liz, then back to Jazmine. “Look… I—”

Jazmine shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “No. Just… just leave me alone. Both of you.”

Tasha held up her hands in surrender, stepping backward. “Okay… okay, I get it.”

Jazmine’s heart pounded in her chest as Devon and Liz remained in the bedroom, the tension between them thick enough to cut. The apartment felt smaller, shadows longer, and every second stretched like hours.

A spark of anger, betrayal, and resolve flared inside Jazmine. She had been blindsided, humiliated, and heartbroken—but she wasn’t finished.

Not by Devon. Not by Liz. Not by anyone.

And in that moment, the storm that had been quietly brewing erupted fully, ready to change everything.