Chapter 18
Rachel stood perfectly still, watching Jasper tenderly help Valeria off the marble floor like she was made of fucking porcelain
Valeria immediately collapsed into his arms with practiced grace.
“Jasper, I’m totally fine–I just lost my balance. This isn’t Ana’s fault, but she seems really upset. I think she’s still mad about me accidentally breaking those prayer beads…” Her voice was honey mixed with arsenic.
Rachel watched the whole production with cold amusement, a bitter smile twisting her lips.
Valeria’s performance was absolutely flawless. That wounded innocent act would have any guy ready to slay dragons for her
Jasper looked down at the trembling girl in his arms, his expression darkening as he noticed her face. “What the hell happened to
your cheek?”
“Please don’t be angry with Ana…” The implication was louder than words.
The restroom’s ambient lighting threw harsh shadows across Jasper’s face, making his features look almost predatory.
For a split second, Rachel felt dizzy looking at this stranger wearing her ex–boyfriend’s face.
Then Jasper’s voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
“Rachel, you need to apologize to Valeria right fucking now. I don’t give a shit how pissed off you are–you don’t put your hands on people.”
Rachel’s laugh could have cut diamond. “Apologize? Are you high?”
Jasper’s face went stone cold, his voice dropping to that scary quiet register she’d only heard him use on business calls. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Ana. You’re acting like someone I don’t even recognize. This is your last chance–say you’re sorry.”
“Sorry?” Rachel’s voice was pure venom. “Jasper, let me make this crystal fucking clear–I wouldn’t apologize to that bitch if you held a gun to my head.”
Her absolute defiance flipped some psychotic switch in Jasper’s brain.
His hand flew across her face before either of them realized what was happening.
The crack echoed off the marble walls like a gunshot.
Rachel’s world went white for a second, her hand instinctively flying to her burning cheek. Her fingers shook as shock slowly
transformed into murderous rage.
She lifted her head with deadly calm, her eyes/promising violence. “That’s it. We’re done. Forever.”
Jasper’s hand was still frozen in midair, his palm stinging. Seeing the red handprint blooming across Rachel’s face sent an unexpected jolt of panic through his system.
“Ana, fuck… I didn’t… If you’d just done what I asked, I wouldn’t have had to-”
“Had to?” Rachel’s voice was barely human. “You had to hit me? Because I wouldn’t kiss your mistress’s ass?”
“You know I’ve never touched you before! Three years together and I never even grabbed you too hard. But you went after Valeria for no reason. She doesn’t deserve your psycho jealousy.”
This was more passion Rachel had seen from Jasper in months–all in defense of another woman.
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Chapter 18
Not that it mattered anymore. After today, he was dead to her.
Rachel straightened to her full height, her face pale but her spine steel. “We’re finished, Jasper There’s no coming back from this.”
She turned toward the door.
Real panic flashed across Jasper’s face as he reached for her desperately. “Ana, wait–don’t do this-”
Rachel recoiled from his touch like he was radioactive. “Don’t you dare fucking touch me.”
Jasper’s hand hung in empty air, something breaking behind his eyes.
Watching her walk away with complete finality sent actual fear crawling up his throat.
Maybe she really meant it this time.
Valeria observed the whole meltdown from her position in Jasper’s arms, satisfaction blazing in her eyes before she carefully hid it
She touched his arm gently, her voice like silk. “Jasper, please don’t blame Ana. She’s just really hurt…”
Jasper nodded slowly, his arrogance already reasserting itself. “I probably let her get away with too much shit over the years. Give her a week and she’ll be blowing up my phone, begging me to take her back. Then she can grovel to you properly.”
Women were like children–the more you spoiled them, the more they acted out.
Minutes later, Jasper left with Valeria practically glued to his side.
Valeria’s victorious smile was impossible to suppress. Jasper Hale was officially conquered.
Back at her table, Rachel’s phone buzzed with a bank alert. The number of zeros on her screen made her actually gasp out loud.
Before she could even count them all, her phone started ringing.
Cassian’s name on the display sent her heart into overdrive.
She took a deep breath to steady herself before answering.
“Mrs. Rhodes, did the transfer go through?” His voice was pure sex wrapped in expensive cologne.
Being called “Mrs. Rhodes” hit her like a shot of whiskey–warm, burning, and slightly overwhelming.
“I… yeah, I got it, but seriously, I don’t need handouts. I have my own money.” She was stammering like a teenager.
“Keep your money. But you’re Mrs. Rhodes now, which means what’s mine is yours.” His voice dropped to that dangerous frequency
that made her knees weak. “All of it.”
Heat flooded Rachel’s face at his casual claim of ownership. She couldn’t imagine the usually arctic Cassian Rhodes saying something
so… possessive.
It was the complete opposite of Jasper’s violent slap.
This felt like being treasured.
“Okay,” she managed to whisper.
“We’re meeting my parents soon. Buy whatever you need–don’t even look at price tags.” Even his practical concern felt intimate.
“Got it.”
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Chapter 18
After hanging up, reality still felt like a fever dream.
But Cassian’s timing was perfect. She definitely needed to prepare for the in–laws.
Rachel headed back to rejoin Tamia.
Time for some strategic retail therapy.
When she reached their table, Tamia immediately went into full alert mode. “Jesus Christ, where were you? I was about to call
security. Holy shit, what happened to your face?”
Rachel attempted nonchalance. “Nothing dramatic. Just had a run–in with Jasper and his new toy. Took longer than expected”
Tamia exploded out of her chair like she’d been ejected. “Those fucking parasites are here? Did that asshole hit you? Where are they? I’m about to commit a double homicide.”
“They’re long gone. Relax–I got Valeria good before Jasper lost his shit. Trust me, I gave better than I got.”
Tamia slowly sat back down, still radiating murder. “Next time I see those toxic waste dumps, I’m going full psycho bitch on both of them. They’re both human garbage.”
“Don’t let them ruin our lunch. Finish eating–I need you to come shopping with me. I’ve got some serious gift hunting to do.”
“Say less. Retail therapy is my love language.” Tamia immediately pivoted, diving back into her meal with renewed enthusiasm.
After settling the check, they headed to the Time Warner Center’s luxury shopping floors.
The mall’s soaring glass atrium and designer boutiques created the perfect backdrop for serious spending.
Tamia linked arms with Rachel, practically vibrating with excitement. “Okay, what’s the mission today? Designer clothes? Handbags? Jewelry? I’m ready to enable the hell out of you.”
Rachel smiled faintly, scanning the high–end storefronts. “Let me see what calls to me.”
Choosing gifts for the Rhodes family required serious strategy. They probably owned everything worth having.
Her gifts needed to be thoughtful and personal–showing genuine care without looking like she was trying too hard.
The two friends began their shopping expedition, completely unaware that their day was about to get significantly more complicated.
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