Time's Up, but Ex-husband Wants Her Back novel Chapter 3

Amelia was engrossed in conversation with the Langleys, leaving Jasmine no opportunity to join in. Needing some fresh air, Jasmine slipped away into the garden.

The Langleys were one of Jesceria's most influential families, and their garden stretched endlessly. After wandering for some time, her feet grew weary, and she noticed a swing set ahead. She sank onto it.

Then her gaze caught tiny letters carved into the wooden fence beside the swing—"Calvin and Olivia will never be apart."

The handwriting was childish, undoubtedly etched by a young hand.

Jasmine remembered that Calvin and Olivia had been childhood sweethearts. Naturally, they would've hung out often at the Langley residence, leaving little traces of themselves.

Jasmine was about to leave when Calvin's and Olivia's voices suddenly drifted toward her from up ahead.

"My place is getting renovated, Cal, and I don't want to deal with my parents' nagging. Can I stay with you for a while?"

Calvin's voice softened as he said, "Of course. I've always kept your room ready for you."

Jasmine's fingers clenched around the swing's ropes.

The Ford residence had a guest room—the largest and brightest—where the maids cleaned daily and changed the bedding every few days.

Jasmine had often wondered why they maintained it so meticulously when no one ever stayed there. Now she knew. That room had always been Olivia's.

…

The funeral had ended, and Jasmine trailed a few steps behind Calvin. He walked in silence, eyes locked on his phone, making no attempt to speak to her.

Jasmine had no interest in chasing after his indifference. The only reason she remained by his side now was out of obligation—the agreement demanded it.

Then Olivia caught up to them, looping her arm through Calvin's with effortless familiarity. "Cal, let's stop by my place first to grab my things, okay?"

Calvin nodded, as if suddenly remembering that he owed Jasmine an explanation. "Jasmine, Olivia's staying with us for a while. Since you're not busy, be sure that she's taken care of."

It wasn't a request. It was an order.

Jasmine knew exactly what she was to him—a wife in name only, barely more than a maid. Since they were already on the brink of divorce, she figured that arguing over fairness was pointless.

Her face betrayed nothing as she replied, "Alright."

Calvin eyed Jasmine. He sensed something off about Jasmine's quick agreement.

He had never bothered to hide his meetings with Olivia. In the past, he could sense Jasmine's despondency every time he returned from Elandra.

But now, her expression remained unreadable. A flicker of irritation passed through him.

After reaching the parking lot, Calvin opened the passenger door for Olivia, ushering her inside.

Jasmine moved toward the back seat, her fingers brushing the door handle, when Calvin spoke again. "I'm heading to Liv's home first. It's out of the way, so you'll have to get a cab back."

The Langley residence was up in the hills, where cabs were scarce. But Calvin drove off with Olivia anyway as if that fact had never crossed his mind.

Jasmine stood on the hill, battered by the icy winds for over an hour. Finally, a driver agreed to take her after she paid an extra 200 dollars.

She was starving and drained by the time she got home. Yet, the dining room buzzed with laughter. Calvin, Olivia, and Sonia were crowded around the table, digging into a stack of pizzas.

Sonia's face twisted into a scowl the moment Jasmine walked in. "Where have you been, Jasmine? You took forever. We had to settle for frozen pizza because there was nothing else for dinner."

Calvin placed a slice of beef pepperoni pizza on Olivia's plate before glancing back at Jasmine. "Cora's dressing ruined the salad. Fix it."

Cora Foster, the maid, shot Jasmine an apologetic look. She had once been the cook, but after Calvin kept rejecting her meals, she'd been demoted to cleaning duties.

With Jasmine unexpectedly absent and Cora not knowing Calvin's preferences, he'd insisted on frozen pizzas instead.

Cora had always treated Jasmine kindly. Not wanting to make things worse for her, Jasmine headed to the kitchen to prepare a fresh salad.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify