Chapter 3
“We have a lot to talk about, Jas. You’re keeping secrets and lying to me now. How can you hide something as big as hearing again from me. We really need to talk.”
As Jasmine read that message, she scoffed.
She was the one keeping secrets and lying now?
What the hell did she ever see in him?
He was such a scumbag.
Now thinking about it, she realized he always does this, always manipulated the situation by covering up what he did wrong and choosing to address something else.
She had been so into him to notice. So into him thinking he was fighting his family to be with her, thinking he felt true love for her. But in reality, he took her as a fool.
Well, never again. If she allowed herself to get fooled by him again, then she truly had no brain.
Without thinking twice, she replied.
Jasmine: [Let’s break up]
Her thumb hovered over her phone for half a second, then she blocked him and she deleted the chat.
No second thoughts. No typing, deleting, retyping. She stared at the blank screen until it went black.
Three days ago, she had been in ICU with a bandaged temple and a fever of 39.8. Three days ago, Gary had told her someone paid for her hearing, and it wasn’t Dante. Three days ago, Dante had carried Ellie out of a room full of glass and left her bleeding on the floor.
She was done, she had to move on with her life now…without him.
Hearing the buzzing sound of his phone, Dante reached for it and took a glance at the message.
Jasmine:[Let’s break up]
His hand froze on the steering wheel and his foot jammed hard on the brakes.
Franco, who was on the passenger’s seat gasped at the sudden stop.
“What is it?”
Dante held up the phone still not believing what he had just read.
Franco read it and sighed.
“She’s pissed. And she has every right to feel that way. I told you to talk to her about Elle before bringing her back. You not only brought Elle back, that shit had to happen at the club and to everyone, it seemed like you took Elle’s side.”
“But you know Elle’s not okay, mentally.” Dante defended.
“Still, Jasmine is your girlfriend and Elle tried to have her killed before, anyone in her shoes will be upset.”
“Do you really think she can hear now? It’s still bugging me. She’s always been able to speak slowly. Maybe she just did that to spook me.”
“You two need to talk it out.” Franco advised.
Dante scoffed. “Sending me a break up message. As if she can ever break up with me in this life.”
“Well, you know her best. She’s been with you for years. I think at this point, she can’t live without you.”
Dante thought so too.
And he happened to have his way with words. He knew exactly how to manipulate her. She could be mad at him for a moment, he would placate her in his own twisted way and then she would be blooming with love for him at the next moment.
She loved him too much to let go.
His jaw tightened as he started the car.
He had to go see her right now and settle this issue.
As soon as Dante pulled over at the parking lot of the hospital, he found Elle already standing there.
Her leg was wrapped in bandages, she was on crutches. Her face was pale, but her eyes were bright.
“Dante.” She called, looking so happy to see him.
He rolled down the window. “What are you doing here? You should be home.”
“Dad called,” she said, leaning on the door. “He said he was sending you over to take me home.”
Her phone lit up. She showed him the screen.
“Take Ellie back to the family house. She’s hurt because of your mess. Take care of her. That’s an order.”
Dante’s fingers drummed on the wheel.
He was supposed to go see Jasmine but he couldn’t refuse his father’s order.
“Get in,” he said.
Elle smiled and limped to the passenger side.
As she climbed in, she slung her arm through his before he could stop her.
She loved the familiar feeling of being close to him like she belonged there.
“Brother, don’t be mad at me,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to fight with her. She hit me first.”
Dante pulled his arm back. “We talked about this. You promised not to bother Jasmine.”
Ellie’s smile faltered. “I didn’t bother her. She slapped me twice, Dante! Didn’t you see that? My cheek still hurts from her slaps.”
“Still, even if I had used mental health to excuse what you did before. You need to really start acting sensibly towards Jasmine. I was lucky she didn’t break up with me over that accident. So please do not ever raise your hands or do anything to her again. She’s your future sister-in-law,” he declared, his voice cold and final.
Elle said nothing, she just looked out the window, gritting her teeth.
As Dante pulled over at the Esteban’s family estate, he brought out his cellphone and quickly shot Daphne a message.
Dante: [I’ll come visit you later. I hope by then you must have calmed down so we can have a reasonable conversation.]
“Who are you texting?” Elle asked.
Dante then turned off the screen of his phone, not even checking if the text had gone through or not.
“No one,” He replied.
Dante decided to just give her the cold shoulder for two days.
He still couldn’t believe she thought of breaking up with him. He didn’t think what happened was that serious.
He was going to let her miss him for more two days. After that, all thoughts about breaking up would be out of her head.
“Your vitals are normal,” Gary said, peeling off his gloves. “The scratches will scar if you pick at them. So don’t.”
Jasmine touched her jaw. The four lines were thin now, pink. Her temple was covered with a small bandage.
She spoke. Her voice was hoarse, but it was there. “Can I be discharged now?”
“Yes, today.” He handed her the discharge papers. “Remember, no loud environments for a week. Please take it easy for now, Miss Gallo.”
She nodded. “I will, thank you.”
He paused at the door. “The person who funded your treatment, if they asked for updates. I’ll tell them you’re well.”
She smiled and nodded.
She didn’t ask who anymore because it was clear Gary won’t tell her. But she had him deliver a message to the person that she was very grateful for his help.
She packed up and left the hospital, heading straight home, scratch that, she couldn’t exactly call that her home anymore.
She was going to the place she used to share with Dante. There was no need to speak to him. He had already made his intentions clear.
During the days she spent at the hospital, he didn’t visit at all. Not that his visit would have changed her mind about wanting a break up, but him not visiting further made her understand how little she meant to him.
She had already booked a flight. Once she got home and get her things packed, she was heading to Madrid.
Her fate was already sealed.
She was going to be a stand-in for her step sister and marry the formidable, Leonardo Madrigal.
