Old Wounds, New Realities
Jasmine wasn't sure how much time had passed since she and Asher started dancing.
It could've been five minutes.
It could've been an hour.
All she knew was that for the first time in a long time, she wasn't carrying the weight of Luke's betrayal on her shoulders.
And that should've been a good thing.
So why did it feel so dangerous?
She took a small step back, putting some distance between them. "I should probably head home."
Asher didn't move. He studied her for a second, his expression unreadable. "You sure?"
Jasmine forced a smile. "Yeah."
He didn't push.
Instead, he gave a slight nod, as if he understood something she hadn't even admitted to herself.
"Come on," he said, leading her back to the car.
The ride home was quiet. Not uncomfortable—just… loaded.
Jasmine felt like she should say something. But what?
That she'd actually enjoyed herself?
That for the first time in forever, she wasn't thinking about Luke?
She wasn't ready for that conversation.
So instead, she let the silence settle.
---
Ghosts of the Past
When Asher pulled up to her apartment complex, Jasmine hesitated before stepping out.
She turned to him. "Thanks for tonight."
Asher met her gaze. "Anytime."
She didn't know why, but she believed him.
With a small nod, she stepped out of the car and headed inside.
But as soon as she shut her apartment door, reality came crashing back.
The dim light of the living room cast long shadows across the floor. The silence was deafening.
For a year, she had lived in a house that wasn't hers with a man who had never truly been hers.
Now? She was back in her own space.
But it still felt lonely.
She sighed, tossing her keys onto the counter before collapsing onto the couch.
Her phone vibrated.
Rita: Where are you?
Jasmine smiled slightly before typing back.
Jasmine: Home. Don't worry, I wasn't with Luke.
Rita: Oh, I know that. You actually sound… not miserable for once.
Jasmine rolled her eyes.
Jasmine: Goodnight, Rita.
Rita: Fine. But spill everything tomorrow.
Jasmine shook her head, dropping her phone onto the couch beside her.
She leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Tonight had been… different.
Good different.
And for the first time in a long time, she wondered—
Could she actually move on?
---
Unfinished Business
The next morning, Jasmine woke up to the sound of someone banging on her door.
She groaned, rubbing her eyes before checking the time.
7:15 AM.
Who the hell—?
Another knock, louder this time.
With a sigh, she pulled on a sweatshirt and made her way to the door.
The moment she opened it, her stomach twisted.
Luke.
He stood there, arms crossed, looking more agitated than usual.
Jasmine blinked. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Luke scoffed. "So this is it? You ignore my calls, disappear for hours, and now you don't even let me in?"
Jasmine folded her arms. "Why would I?"
"Because," he snapped, "we need to talk."
She laughed humorlessly. "We don't need to do anything, Luke. You made your choice, remember?"
His jaw clenched. "It's not that simple."
"Isn't it?"
She tilted her head, waiting.
Luke ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "You keep saying I owe you my life."
Jasmine stiffened.
Luke took a step closer. "You think I don't hear it? Every time you bring it up? Every time you remind me that I have your kidney inside me?"
Her heart pounded.
"You hate it," she said quietly.
Luke exhaled sharply. "Of course, I hate it! Do you have any idea what it feels like to wake up every day knowing that without you, I'd be dead?"
Jasmine's hands curled into fists. "Then maybe you should have appreciated me more when you had the chance."
His eyes darkened. "It's not that simple."
She laughed bitterly. "Everything with you is always 'not that simple.'"
Luke ran a hand down his face, looking exhausted.
Jasmine took a deep breath. "Whatever you came here for, Luke… just say it."
He hesitated.
And for a second, just a second, she thought he might actually apologize.
But then he said, "You were with him last night, weren't you?"
Her stomach dropped.
"What?"
"Don't act stupid, Jasmine," Luke muttered. "That judge. Asher Donovan."
Her pulse spiked. "How do you even know that?"
Luke scoffed. "You really think people don't talk? A high-profile man like him showing up at a club with you? What exactly do you think people are saying?"
Jasmine stared at him. "Why do you even care?"
Luke clenched his jaw. "Because I do."
She shook her head. "No, Luke. You don't get to be jealous. Not after what you did."
He didn't answer.
Jasmine's heart pounded. "Go home to Belle."
His expression hardened. "Jasmine—"
"Go."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then, without another word, Luke turned and walked away.
Jasmine closed the door, leaning against it.
Her hands were shaking.
She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath.
Luke had made his choice.
And now?
So would she.
---
End of Chapter 32
Word Count: ~1,300
---
Key Moments in This Chapter:
Jasmine pulls away from Asher after their dance, feeling the weight of moving on.
Luke unexpectedly shows up at her apartment, confronting her about her "debt" and her night with Asher.
Luke hates the fact that Jasmine keeps reminding him he owes her his life.
He's jealous of Asher, despite choosing Belle.
Jasmine finally puts her foot down, refusing to let Luke manipulate her emotions.
This chapter shifts the power dynamic.
Luke doesn't get to control the narrative anymore.
Jasmine is done waiting for him to choose her.
And now?
It's time for her to choose herself.