SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL

Chapter 3

Third person.

Jackson was a struggling painter whose works were overshadowed by the richer and more popular artists. He complained about his disappointment and limits, and Jasmine always encouraged him to keep working, and that he would be recognized one day. He reached the limit of his patience when he created a masterpiece that rivaled great painters like Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. And just like before, his drawing of the Great Phoenix never gained the expected recognition.

"I'm giving up, Jasmine. I think painting is not for me," Jackson moaned one afternoon as they cuddled each other beside their swimming pool.

"No, honey. Just keep pushing. The world will realize your worth, and you will be celebrated one day," she reassured him and then caressed his hairy chest.

"No, Jasmine. Take a look at my painting of the great Phoenix. It was beautiful, perfect and amazing. What did I get in return? A mere fifty bucks for months of work. I can't continue like this."

"Your effort will pay one day. Even great artists start from somewhere before reaching where they are today."

She could sense her husband's pessimistic mood, and as expected of a good wife, she did all she could to lift him out of it. And when he started laughing and joking with her, she breathed with relief, believing the storm was over, even if only for now.

Though she knew Jackson was frustrated and desperate, she never knew he had been contemplating forging the lost work of a famous artist.

"I have a beautiful painting that I would like to show you," Jackson informed her as she returned from work one sunny day. "Come with me."

She followed him to his gallery beside their house and gawked at the beautiful painting on the wall.

"This is the Virgin of Lilies," Jackson explained, pointing his finger toward the picture of the Virgin Mary. "She is sitting on the throne of wisdom and is carrying the child Christ whose arms are stretched out as if giving a blessing."

"Why name it the Virgin of Lilies and not the Virgin Mary?" She asked, caressing the painting and marveling at her husband's abilities.

"Lilies symbolize Mary's purity and innocence. That's the best name to give my art," Jackson explained further and then pulled her into his chest. "This painting will take us to unimaginable places and will give us the recognition we craved."

She kissed his lips, caressed his red hair, and looked into his blue eyes, "I believe in you, Jackson. I know you are going places, and I feel fortunate to be your companion."

"We are going places, honey. I couldn't do it without you ."

"I know, darling."

Weeks later, Jackson replaced the original painting with his forged one and sold it for an exorbitant price. And that was the beginning of their change of fortune. But then, nothing remains hidden forever. Jackson's heist was discovered by an art dealer with a keen eye. And because Jasmine was moved by her husband's plight and fearing the ruin of his career, she decided to take the blame.

She claimed she orchestrated the forgery and heist, and her reputation as the daughter of a reputable art dealer lent credibility to her confession.

Her trial became a sensation, with the art world divided over her guilt. A few months later, she was found guilty and then sentenced to twenty years imprisonment.

Jasmine.

The driver stopped in front of my father's duplex.

"We are at Diamond Villa, ma'am."

"Thank you," I muttered, paid his fee, and hopped down. "Can you wait for me for a few minutes? I need you to drive me to a nearby hotel."

"Of course, ma'am. Please take your time. I will be here waiting for you."

The security guard at the gate pulled it open and bowed to me.

"I'm glad you are free, Jasmine. Your mom will be so excited to see you."

"Is she at home?"

"Yes."

"And my son?"

"Been a while since I saw him. Maybe he is with his dad."

"Are you sure? Jackson told me he is here with my mom."

"I should be aware if he is here," he mumbled back, scratched his bald head, and then asked, "Why don't you tell the driver to drive in?"

"I will be leaving soon."

He smiled at me, showing scanty, nicotine-stained teeth.

"I'm sure you will tip me before going as you usually do."

"I will, Jude."

The guard had been working for us since my childhood days. And even after the death of my father and stepmom, he remains with us, and we now see him as part of our family members.

The memory of sad days here came rushing as I knocked on the wooden door and stepped into a dimly light parlor.

"Hi, Mom."

"Jasmine!"

My mom seemed to have added weight and looked older. And I noticed her once dark and long hair is now grey and kinky. She sat on the cushion facing the door and gawked at me.

"I bet you never believe I will get out of prison alive."

"You are given twenty years imprisonment. Did you break out of jail?"

"No. I received a federal pardon and am now free."

She blinked her eyes as if she wanted to clear my image off her sight.

"Through my five years there, you never for once bothered to check me."

"I disowned you as my daughter the day you were sentenced. You have tainted our names and no longer deserve to be called our family members."

I swallowed a large lot of saliva and breathed out loud. Typical of my mum. Several years of absence and separation had not reduced her hatred of me.

"You have never treated me as your daughter since I can remember. All you care about is Emily and that damned name of yours," I muttered as my eyes darted around.

She rolled her eyes and snorted out loud. "What did you want?"

"I'm here for my son."

"Jonny is not here."

"What do you mean he is not here?"

"He is too troublesome and has been breaking my valuable property, so I dropped him at the orphanage home."

"You did what? Have you forgotten Jonny is your only grandson?"

"No. I have disowned his mother, so he is no longer my grandson. I only have one grandson, and that's Jake."

"Oh... You knew about Emily's unholy affair with my husband, didn't you?"

"Yes, I do. Jackson is a good son-in-law, so I advised Emily to go with him. Is that not better than having a stranger enjoying all his wealth?"

My mum never seized to surprise me. As far back as I can remember, she had hated me and loved Emily. And to her, Emily was the perfect daughter she ever had.

"Where is the orphanage home located?"

"Deadwood Main Street. You will need some documents to get him out of that place."

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the home where I grew up, my heart heavier than when I entered.