Chapter 5 Frozen

CHAPTER FIVE

Jasmine stood frozen for a moment after Lucas left. The sound of the door shutting echoed through the room, snapping her out of her daze. She tightened her grip on the divorce papers, her emotions caught somewhere between relief and sorrow.

"Are you okay?" Mrs. Ray asked, her tone gentle yet concerned.

Jasmine gave a small nod. "I'm fine, thank you for everything, Mrs. Ray. I should get going now."

Mrs. Ray hesitated but eventually let her leave. Jasmine stepped outside, greeted by the cool afternoon air. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It was over, but the weight of what she had lost-and what she had yet to face-felt heavier than ever.

She hailed a cab and gave the driver her new address. As the car sped through the city, her mind wandered to the last few years of her life. Memories of her grandfather's warmth, the suffocating silence in her marriage, and now the uncertain future-all seemed to blur together.

When the cab pulled up to her modest apartment, Jasmine stepped out and climbed the narrow staircase to her new room. The space was small, just enough for her bed and a small desk, but it was hers. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of control over her life.

Meanwhile, Lucas was back at his office, though his mind was far from the tasks before him. He paced the length of his spacious office, his hands clenched into fists. Signing those papers had felt like ripping out a piece of himself he hadn't realized was there.

Jack and Leo barged in unannounced. "We just saw you storm out of that meeting with the lawyer," Jack said, collapsing into one of the leather chairs. "What happened?"

Lucas shot him a glare. "Why do you always have to know everything?"

Leo leaned against the desk, studying his friend. "Come on, Lucas. We've known you for years. You may act like you don't care, but clearly, something's eating at you."

Lucas exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "She wanted a divorce," he admitted reluctantly.

Jack's eyes widened. "What? You mean your wife-what was her name again?"

"Jasmine," Lucas said, his tone sharp. "And yes, we're divorced now."

"Good riddance," Jack said with a smirk. "She seemed too plain for you anyway."

Lucas shot him a look that silenced any further comments. "She was more than you think," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Leo caught the hint of regret in his friend's tone but chose not to press further. Instead, he changed the subject. "So, what now? You're officially a free man. What's next on the agenda?"

Lucas didn't respond. He stared out the window, his thoughts drifting to Jasmine's tear-streaked face and the quiet strength she had shown during the divorce proceedings. For years, he had kept her at arm's length, but now that she was gone, an unfamiliar emptiness crept in.

Back in her apartment, Jasmine sat by the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. Her phone buzzed with a message from Mrs. Ray: *"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

Jasmine typed a quick reply of thanks and set the phone aside. She pulled out a notebook from her bag, flipping through the pages filled with scribbles and plans she had made years ago. Before her marriage, she had dreamed of running her own business, perhaps a small café or boutique.

Her lips curved into a faint smile. Maybe it wasn't too late to chase those dreams.

The next morning, Jasmine headed out early, determined to find a job. She visited several places, leaving her résumé and exchanging polite smiles with potential employers. By late afternoon, she found herself at a quaint bookstore tucked away on a quiet street.

The owner, a kind elderly woman named Mrs. Henderson, greeted her warmly. "We could use some help with the inventory," Mrs. Henderson said after their brief interview. "Why don't you start tomorrow?"

Relief washed over Jasmine. "Thank you, Mrs. Henderson. I'll be here."

As days turned into weeks, Jasmine settled into her new routine. The work at the bookstore was calming, and she found solace in the company of books and the occasional friendly customer. She began to feel a sense of independence she hadn't known before.

Lucas, on the other hand, was spiraling. He attended meetings, closed deals, and kept up appearances, but his mind was elsewhere. Every time he returned to the mansion, the silence felt more oppressive. He avoided Jasmine's old room, though the door remained ajar, a painful reminder of her absence.

One evening, while going through his emails, Lucas came across a message from his grandfather. The subject line read: *"A Matter of Importance."* He opened it, his heart sinking as he read the contents. His grandfather was asking about Jasmine, expressing concern over how she was coping after the divorce.

Lucas hesitated before typing a reply: *"She's doing fine."*

But was she? He had no idea.

One day, as Jasmine was arranging books on a shelf, a familiar voice startled her. "You've always loved books, haven't you?"

She turned sharply, her eyes widening as she recognized Ethan, her uncle. He stood there, smug and imposing.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the unease bubbling inside her.

"I came to see how my dear niece is faring," he said, his tone dripping with mock concern. "It must be hard, losing everything so quickly."

Jasmine clenched her fists. "What do you want?"

Ethan leaned closer, his smile venomous. "Just to remind you of your place, Jasmine. Don't think for a second that you can rise above it."

She didn't reply, her gaze unwavering. Ethan chuckled and walked away, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.

Later that evening, as Jasmine sat by her window, she thought about Ethan's words. They fueled her determination rather than discouraging her. She wouldn't let him or anyone else dictate her life.