No Room for Regret
Jasmine wasn't sure if it was the whiskey warming her veins or the way Asher looked at her—calm, unwavering, like he had all the time in the world. Either way, she found herself relaxing in his presence, something she hadn't done in a long time.
"Tell me something, Judge," she said, tilting her glass toward him. "Do you ever regret not having a love story of your own?"
Asher smirked. "You assume I want one."
Jasmine arched a brow. "You don't?"
He leaned back in his chair, the city lights flickering against the sharp angles of his face. "Love is messy. People expect too much. I prefer things simple."
Jasmine hummed. "Sounds lonely."
His gaze flickered to hers. "And yet, I don't seem to be lacking company."
Heat curled low in her stomach, but she rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."
He laughed softly. "And you like it."
She did.
And that was dangerous.
---
The Reality Check
Jasmine didn't plan on staying out late, but with Asher, time slipped away easily.
They talked about everything and nothing—favorite places, the worst cases he'd ever had to judge, how she once got banned from a bakery for calling out the owner's stale croissants.
She didn't realize how much she was enjoying herself until her phone buzzed.
Luke: Where are you?
Her mood soured instantly.
She exhaled through her nose, locking her screen without replying.
Asher noticed. "Problem?"
She shook her head. "Just… an old habit trying to creep back in."
He didn't push for more, but his expression shifted slightly—like he knew exactly who had texted her.
"You're better off leaving the past where it belongs," he said after a moment.
Jasmine glanced at him. "And where does it belong?"
A slow smirk curved his lips. "Far, far away from your present."
She couldn't help but smile. "You should put that on a coffee mug."
He raised his glass. "Noted."
---
Luke's Frustration
Back at her apartment, Jasmine barely had time to kick off her heels before her phone buzzed again.
This time, she picked up.
"What do you want, Luke?" she asked, not bothering to hide her exhaustion.
"Where were you?"
She frowned. "Excuse me?"
"You weren't home. I went by."
Her jaw clenched. "Why are you showing up at my place?"
"I wanted to talk. In person."
Jasmine pinched the bridge of her nose. "We already talked. You said your piece. I said mine. There's nothing left to discuss."
A beat of silence.
"Are you seeing someone?"
She almost laughed. "Are you serious?"
"You are, aren't you?" His voice was tight, laced with something dangerously close to jealousy.
Jasmine rolled her eyes. "And if I am?"
Luke exhaled sharply. "Jasmine—"
"Goodnight, Luke."
She hung up before he could say another word.
---
The Thought That Lingered
As Jasmine lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts drifted back to Asher.
He was different.
He didn't demand anything from her. Didn't make her feel like she owed him something just for existing.
And maybe… maybe that was exactly what she needed.
For once, she wanted to enjoy something without the weight of expectations.
A slow smile curled her lips.
Maybe she would.
---
The Ties That Still Bind
Jasmine woke up to the sound of her phone vibrating on the nightstand. She groaned, reaching for it without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Jasmine, it's Rita."
Instantly, she sat up. Rita never called this early unless something was wrong.
"What happened?"
Rita sighed heavily. "It's Adrian. He lost it again last night."
Jasmine's heart clenched. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Rita muttered, but the hesitation in her voice said otherwise.
"Rita," Jasmine said firmly, "what did he do?"
Silence.
Jasmine's fingers tightened around the phone. "Did he hit you?"
Rita exhaled shakily. "I… I don't want to talk about it over the phone. Can we meet?"
Jasmine was already out of bed, heading for the closet. "Of course. I'll be there in twenty."
---
The Reality of a Marriage Built on Illusions
They met at a quiet café, tucked away from the city's noise.
Jasmine took one look at her sister and felt rage coil in her chest. Rita's oversized sunglasses couldn't hide the faint bruise on her cheek.
She reached across the table, gripping Rita's hand. "You need to leave him."
Rita let out a bitter laugh. "You think I don't know that?"
"Then why are you still there?" Jasmine asked, struggling to keep her voice calm.
Rita hesitated, stirring her coffee. "Because… leaving means admitting I made a mistake. And I don't know if I can handle that."
Jasmine's expression softened. "Rita, staying in a bad situation just to prove a point isn't worth your safety."
Rita looked away. "And what about the money? The lifestyle? Do you know how hard it is to walk away from all of that?"
Jasmine squeezed her hand. "But what's the price? Your happiness? Your safety?"
Rita swallowed hard.
"You don't have to figure everything out today," Jasmine said gently. "But start planning. Quietly. When you're ready, I'll be there."
Rita exhaled, finally nodding. "Okay."
---
An Unwelcome Encounter
Jasmine was walking back to her car when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Running off again?"
She stiffened before turning around.
Luke.
He was leaning against his car, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression.
"Are you following me now?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He scoffed. "I was getting coffee. Didn't expect to run into you."
Jasmine narrowed her eyes. "Right."
Luke sighed. "We need to talk, Jasmine."
"We don't."
His jaw clenched. "Damn it, will you just listen?"
She sighed. "Fine. Talk."
Luke hesitated before rubbing the back of his neck. "I know I messed up. And I know you'll never forgive me. But I just… I don't like the idea of you with someone else."
Jasmine raised a brow. "Is that why you keep showing up? To stake some claim on me that you lost the moment you betrayed me?"
Luke flinched.
"You don't get to dictate my life anymore," she said, voice firm. "You made your choice. Live with it."
He stared at her, something flickering in his eyes. Regret? Frustration? She didn't care.
Without another word, she walked away.
She didn't owe him anything.
Not anymore.
---