Chapter 2
1039 Words
Jasmine.
I pushed the door, stepped into the parish, and grunted, halting the ceremony and making all eyes turn at me.
On the pulpit stood my husband and my half-sister. At that moment, I stood rooted to the spot and felt dizzy with a myriad of emotions battling within me. I was sad, disappointed, and angry.
"Is there anyone with a reason why this wedding should not take place?"
I raised my right hand and walked down the aisle. Not as a bride, but as a scepter of the past. Jackson's eyes were wide with shock, Emily's with guilt.
"I do. Jackson Orleans is legally married to me and has no right to any legal marriage until we divorce."
I stood before them, not with rage, but with the dignity and grace of someone who had faced her demon alone and emerged stronger.
"I did not come to disrupt," I mumbled with a steady voice. "-but to offer forgiveness even though you never ask for it."
The two priests look like someone stung by a bee and I can hear them whispering among themselves.
"This wedding is postponed until further notice," the senior priest mumbled with a face filled with shock. He picked up his bible from the pulpit in front of him, gestured to his colleagues, and both hurried out of the altar.
"Jasmine. I can explain -."
"Not necessary, Jackson. Just tell me where you kept my son?"
"With your mom."
"Good. Get our divorce paper and I will sign it immediately."
"It's not what you think, Jasmine. Let's sit somewhere and talk over this."
"Nothing to talk about, Emily. Enjoy your newfound love while it lasts. By the way, I met your son. He is quite a cute, sharp boy... Still can't believe you are f*****g my man before I got locked up."
"Oh, Jasmine."
I gawked at the best man. Never in my wildest imagination would I believe Joel would be involved in anything that could hurt me. Six years ago, he was Jackson's best man during our wedding and remained our family friend after. He sometimes comes with Jackson to visit me in the prison. In truth, people can be cruel and heartless.
"Even you, Joel. Can't believe you are part of this."
"I'm so sorry, Jasmine. I tried to talk him out of it, but he didn't listen to me."
"And you decided to support his evil act when he refused to listen to you. "
"I'm sorry."
I offered a sardonic smile, "It's okay, Joel. I have no hard feelings towards you. Please excuse me."
Saying this, I turned, released the breath I was holding, cleaned the droplets of tears rolling down my face, and sighed. A moment later, I hurried out of the church, with a plan of leaving my past behind.
Outside, the last light of the day gave way to the stars, and under their watchful gaze, I began my journey anew, towards my own making.
Emily.
I had this premonition that things would go wrong at the last minute, but never imagined it would end like this. Unfortunately, my greatest fear just came to pass, turning me into a laughingstock among all those who came to witness our holy union.
I turned towards Jackson and asked, "Why don't you tell me she will be getting out of jail today?"
"I wasn't aware either. She was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment and had only spent five years out of it. How could I expect her to be free today?"
"Then why is she here?"
"Beat my imagination."
"Let's get out of here," I announced, jerking Jackson's arm and dragging him along with me. "You have some explanation to give."
People glared at us as we wobbled out of the parish.
Let them judge us.
None of them had any idea of what happened between us.
Despite our faked bravery, we were so humiliated and nearly fled the scene out of shame. Our departure is as swift as the fall of our shattered dream.
Jackson was silent during the drive home, and I know he was as confused as me.
"What is the way out?"
" I'm unable to think. Let's just get home first ."
I nodded in agreement. We both need a cold glass of wine and some moments of deep thought. But whatever we decide, I'm not letting Jackson go.
"She was supposed to have died in the prison and never made it out alive. Why don't you poison her during one of your visits?"
"You know how much I hate going there. And besides, did you think it's easier to poison a locked-up prisoner?"
"It's difficult, but not impossible. I'm sure one of the jailers would be happy to do it for some thousands of dollars if you asked?"
He shrugged back. "Why are you blaming me now? You never suggested that I poisoned her until some minutes ago."
"You are the man and supposed to be a step ahead."
"What stops you from doing it? After all, you occasionally go to visit her in the prison."
Even though I hissed back, I knew he was right. It's easy to cast blame when we have both taken the situation for granted.
"We can't allow her to keep breathing. Let's think about the damage she will do to our names if she decides to go public with what happened five years ago."
"She has no evidence except her words against our own."
"Her accusations will cause bigger damage."
"I know, be at ease, she will be silent."
"She better be."
I sighed and closed my eyes, and the memory of what transpired between us came floating back to me.
Jasmine has the right to be angry because I betrayed her. But don't blame me yet. She always has the best of everything and made me jealous of her. For the first time in my life, I feel happy because I have taken what she valued away from her. But now that she is out of prison, I am afraid she will want her man back and her position as the CEO of our father's company. But believe me, I would rather die than let go of either.
- Writer
