Chapter 106 Ethan Took Jasmine Home
"Jasmine!"
Ben burst into the alley, looking anxiously all around.
Where could she have gone?
"Jasmine!"
The alley was eerily quiet. Ben had been running around for what seemed like an eternity but still hadn't found Jasmine.
He was unaware that when Jasmine got scared, her instinct was to find a corner to hide in.
Paralyzed with fear, she crouched beside a trash can in the corner of the alley, body trembling uncontrollably.
Six years ago.
At the party, Jasmine had one drink and soon after found herself in a haze, being guided to a room by someone.
Frozen with dread, her heart was screaming, desperately struggling, but her body was completely unresponsive.
She attempted to flee, trying to cling to consciousness, but to no avail.
Pounding on the door, crying out for help, her efforts were futile. No one came to her rescue.
Had the hotel's windows not been sealed shut, she might have been driven to jump.
Curled up in the corner, she gradually lost hope in everyone.
"Bitch, you have no shame."
"Look at the marks on her body, not even dressed."
"See the blood on the bed? How shameless."
The next day, while she was still unconscious, Serena and Daniel burst into the room with reporters in tow.
She opened her eyes in confusion, then wrapped herself tightly with the sheets, terror surpassing even that of the previous night.
Like a fish gasping on dry land, this was her final struggle.
Crying helplessly, she pleaded for Daniel's assistance.
Daniel's eyes were cold, cruel, distant, and disgusted.
Each expression hurled her further into hell.
Trampling her, again and again.
What had she done wrong? It was those who hurt her who were at fault.
Yet, no one believed her. Everyone seemed eager to stomp her into the mud, beyond any chance of redemption.
Jasmine was terrified. Fear made even breathing difficult.
Hiding in the corner, she cried silently until her body shook.
A few drunkards stumbled through the alley. Jasmine curled up tighter, biting down on her finger to stifle her sobs.
Her finger was now bleeding, and the sweet tang of blood filled her mouth.
It was as if she could no longer breathe on her own.
Like that day she was trapped in the warehouse by Daniel and Serena, her terror was absolute, her body's symptoms of depression and anxiety numbing her breath.
"Jasmine."
Just when her fear had peaked, she saw a familiar figure.
Stiffly, she looked up, her gaze fixed on Ethan.
It must be a dream.
Hadn't he gone on a business trip to New Jersey? What was he doing in Boston?
Impossible.
This had to be a dream.
Ethan's breathing was rapid as he noticed Jasmine's condition, slowly squatting in front of her. "Give me your hand."
Jasmine was biting her hand, deep enough to draw blood.
Her gaze trembling, Jasmine attempted to lift her shaking fingers to hand it over but froze, feeling dirty and unsure.
Ethan grabbed her wrist in a swift motion, pulling her into his embrace, and exhaled with relief. "Let's go home."
He had found her.
...
Liam claimed he didn't care about Jasmine, but his actions spoke differently as he arranged transportation for Ethan, making them at the hospital in just over an hour. A task that would normally take considerably longer.
Emily had said Henry took Jasmine away and that Henry himself seemed to be in a bad state.
When Ethan ran down the stairs and saw Henry's car in the parking lot, he knew Jasmine had to be nearby.
He understood Jasmine's fear and her instinct to hide in corners she deemed safe.
"Mr. Douglas!" Liam followed suit, relieved to see Ethan had found Jasmine. "Henry's assistant is also searching for her. Henry rushed back to the Patricks'. I heard Mr. Patrick Sr. had some heart troubles."
Ethan draped his coat over Jasmine, his voice deep and firm. "We're heading back to Silverlight City first."
"What?" Liam looked at Ethan in shock. "Mr. Douglas... it's over a four-hour journey back to Silverlight City from here, and then from there to New York, you won't have any time to rest before your afternoon meeting. It will be too exhausting."
Ethan didn't mind and carried Jasmine to the car.
It took Jasmine a while to realize the person beside her was real, not just a figment of her imagination.
She tried to speak but couldn't produce a sound at first.
"Have some hot water." Ethan handed her a warm bottle.
She took it with trembling hands, feeling the warmth slowly seep in.
Ethan didn’t ask her what happened.
He sat silently in the seat, waiting for Jasmine to recover before saying, "Next time there's an emergency, tell me. I'll send someone to help you."
Jasmine opened her mouth and whispered, looking down. "Thank you..."
Ethan remained silent, slowly closing his eyes.
Holding the warm bottle, Jasmine's voice was hoarse. "Mr. Douglas, what brings you... to Boston?"
"Just passing through," Ethan said nonchalantly.
Jasmine looked down, remaining silent. Ethan probably didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
Throughout the ride, Ethan didn't say another word.
Jasmine stole a glance at him. He was incredibly good-looking, even with his eyes closed, his features still exuded an air of refined elegance.
Her panic slowly subsided. Leaning against the car window, she watched Ethan rest. It seemed that just by watching him, her heart could find peace.
"Hungry?" Ethan seemed to sense her gaze and slowly opened his eyes, his voice husky and pleasing.
Startled, Jasmine sat up quickly and, intending to stand, hit her head on the roof of the car, nearly dropping her water bottle.
Ethan caught the water bottle with a quick hand and smiled. "Next time, we'll get a bigger car."
Jasmine's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to speak.
Ethan brought over some snacks and placed them beside Jasmine.
These snacks were prepared for Justin.
After Justin's hypoglycemia incident last time, Ethan had Liam stock some snacks in the car.
Jasmine stared blankly at the snacks, then looked up at Ethan.
She wished he wouldn't be so nice to her...
A flower grown in darkness, suddenly exposed to sunlight, could wither and die.
Carefully, she took a piece of bread and tore off a bite.
It was sweet.
After eating the bread, her stomach felt much better.
The car was quiet, and Jasmine leaned against the window, drifting to sleep.
"Mr. Douglas, we've arrived."
"Shh!" Ethan glanced at the time — 3:30 AM.
He made a silencing gesture and carefully lifted Jasmine from the car.
Jasmine usually slept lightly, waking at any small disturbance during her time in prison.
For some reason, she slept deeply now.
Liam hummed softly, speaking in a whisper. "Mr. Douglas, maybe you should get some sleep too. We'll head out at eight."
Ethan nodded, carrying Jasmine into the bedroom.
After laying her on the bed, he tried to leave, but Jasmine's fingers clutched tightly onto his sleeve.
Standing by the bed in silence for a moment, Ethan's thoughts became complex.
He had to admit, his feelings towards Jasmine were indeed different.
This might not be a good thing for her.
It seemed he needed to maintain some distance.
Unless he could take full responsibility for her.
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