Reborn Heiress: Married To My Ex-Husband's Rival
Chapter 95 Struck A Nerve

Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Struck A Nerve

Mrs Jenkins knocked on the door before stepping in. Her eyes widened the moment she saw Jasmine sitting on the edge of the bed. Her mouth fell open a little and then her face lit up with a warm smile.

"Miss Jasmine!" she said, rushing forward. "Oh, dear, it’s so good to see you again. I can’t believe my eyes."

Jasmine managed a soft smile. "Hi, Mrs Jenkins. You still look the same."

Mrs Jenkins placed a hand on her chest. "Oh, bless you. Look at you. You’re glowing. You’ve lost some weight but you still look strong. I’ve missed you around this house."

Jasmine looked down shyly, rubbing her palm over her thigh. "It’s been a while."

Kingsley stood a few feet away, arms crossed as he watched them talk. He said nothing at first. His eyes were fixed on Jasmine. She looked relaxed for a moment. Her voice was soft, like the way she used to sound.

Mrs Jenkins leaned closer. "Let me get you something to eat. You must be starving."

Jasmine nodded slowly. "A little."

"I’ll make that soup you liked," Mrs Jenkins said quickly. "With the soft yam and peppered fish. Just sit still."

She walked out of the room with a bounce in her step, still smiling.

Jasmine sighed. "She’s sweet."

Kingsley nodded once. "She always liked you."

Jasmine didn’t respond. She looked toward the window instead.

They moved to the dining room fifteen minutes later. The table was already set. Jasmine sat down quietly at the far end. Kingsley sat across from her, not too close. The smell of fresh food filled the air. Warm soup, sliced yam and bread on the side. A glass of juice next to her plate.

Mrs Jenkins placed a napkin beside her and smiled again. "Eat well, dear."

Jasmine muttered a thank you.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Only the sound of cutlery and soft wind coming in through the open window.

Then Kingsley cleared his throat.

"I need to ask you something," he said, placing his fork down.

Jasmine looked up slowly. Her face was calm but not open. "What?"

He leaned back in his seat. "It’s about Grandpa."

Jasmine didn’t speak.

Kingsley looked at her carefully. "He’s sick. The doctors said it’s serious. He’s been asking about you."

She didn’t react at first.

"He wants to see you," Kingsley added. "He hates that you are....away."

Jasmine pushed her plate a little and wiped her hands. "I’ll think about it."

Kingsley’s brows lifted a little. "That’s it?"

She looked at him flatly. "You’re not going to guilt-trip me into it, Kingsley."

"I’m not," he said quickly. "I’m just saying... he misses you."

Jasmine shook her head. "I’m no longer his daughter-in-law and giving people false hopes isn’t really my thing. So don’t expect me to jump up for joy. "

Kingsley opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked down at his hands.

Silence filled the space between them. Then slowly, he looked up again.

His eyes lingered on her body. Her hand resting near her belly, her tired eyes and the way she shifted every few seconds in discomfort.

He swallowed hard. "Is it true?" he asked. "Am I really not the father of that child?"

Jasmine’s eyes went cold. She looked down quickly.

"I told you already," she said.

"I know what you said," Kingsley replied. "I’m asking if it’s true."

"It is," she said flatly.

He leaned forward now, his voice low. "Because I remember the dates, Jasmine. I remember how close it was. You were already two weeks late when you left."

Jasmine’s throat tightened. She looked away.

Kingsley didn’t stop. "We were still sleeping together. Until the end. And you never once said anything about someone else."

"I don’t owe you an explanation," she snapped, her voice rising a little.

"Maybe not," he said. "But I deserve the truth."

"I already gave you the truth," she said coldly. "It’s not yours."

Kingsley stared at her. His jaw clenched. "You’re lying."

Jasmine stood up from her chair. "Believe whatever helps you sleep at night."

Kingsley stood too. "You think I wouldn’t want this child? You think I’d turn my back?"

"You already did," she said sharply. "You turned your back on me when I needed you. When everything came crashing down, you left me alone."

Kingsley stepped around the table. "That’s not what happened."

"No?" she asked. "You made me feel like trash. Like I was dirty that can just be discarded. Because of my father. Because of something I didn’t even know about."

Kingsley was stunned immediately when she said that. Jasmine scoffed. "What?? You think I didn’t hear your conversation with your grandfather?? I heard every goddamn thing." Her jaw shook as she gritted out those words.

"I was angry," Kingsley said. "I was broken. I didn’t know how to handle it."

Jasmine shook her head. "And now you want to come back and play the hero. Ask questions like you care."

"I do care," Kingsley said, his voice almost a whisper.

Jasmine looked at him, her eyes glossy now but not crying. "It’s too late."

Kingsley stared at her. His chest rose and fell with every breath. He didn’t move closer. He didn’t argue.

She turned and walked slowly out of the dining room, holding her arm again. Her back straight, her face unreadable.

Kingsley stood there in the middle of the room, watching her go, feeling the truth cut deeper than anything he could say.

And still, something inside him told him she was lying. The baby was his.

Jasmine paused when she reached the doorway. Her hand rested lightly on the doorframe. She didn’t look back at first. She stood there for a moment, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

Then she spoke. "Come drive me back to my apartment."

Kingsley didn’t respond right away. Making her turn her head slightly, not fully facing him.

Kingsley didn’t say anything, but after a few seconds, he grabbed his car keys from the table and walked toward her. His footsteps were slow and reluctant.

They didn’t exchange a word as they walked out.

Jasmine walked ahead. Her body felt heavier now, but not from the pregnancy. It was from everything she hadn’t said. Everything she had just said.

She knew she had pushed him. She knew she’d just hit a nerve.

And yet... she didn’t know how to undo it.