JASMINE
"Why did you hurt Henry?"
Stephan's deep voice cut through my focus on the phone screen. I looked up from the bench outside the advisor's office, blinking at him.
"Hey… you finally came out. I need to get to class. I heard I have a course today."
He stared at me for several long seconds without speaking. Then he stepped closer, slowly, his midnight eyes locked on my face so intensely that I started wondering if something was wrong with my appearance.
(System… is there something wrong with my face?)
(No. The male lead's attraction toward you is increasing.)
The system's voice echoed in my head. I let out a small snicker. So this was how a man who cared looked at his woman like she was the only thing worth seeing in the entire world.
"Hmmm… are you now in love with me?" I teased.
The soft look in his eyes vanished instantly. He cleared his throat and looked away.
"Hmm… I caught you, right?" I asked again, grinning.
He ignored me completely.
"Nope, you didn't," he muttered. "It's just that I keep feeling you are somewhat different from the woman I married."I stiffened at once as my playful smile froze on my face.
"H-how…" I murmured.
He only smiled in return a small, sad smile that made my chest tighten.
"Skip today's classes," he said suddenly. "After all, you already caused a nuisance in the school. I want to take you somewhere."
I stared at him for a few seconds. Then a bright smile lit up my face.
"Really? A restaurant? An amusement park? A gala? Which one? I am ready to…"
"None of those," he cut in. "You don't expect me to take my wife to a gala dressed like this."
Only then did I remember what I was wearing, his oversized charcoal hoodie and baggy black joggers. I looked down at myself and laughed softly.
"Good point, Stephan. Speaking of outfits… I need to get some new clothes." I stretched my hand toward him with a hopeful grin. "I am your wife, after all. Give me some money…"
"No." He cut me off before I could finish and my smile disappeared instantly.
"Why? I…"
"I won't listen to you when it comes to that," he said firmly. "You always spent it on Henry. Who knows what you want to do this time?"
I stomped my foot on the ground, frustration bubbling up. "Excuse me? I am your wife and I should have access to your money. How can you be so rich and stingy? I spent my last dime buying you flowers and cakes that you didn't even accept!"
He stayed silent, but I could see the pain flicker in his eyes.
"You know what?" I cut him off before he could reply. "If you are not interested in giving it to me, fine. I will get it from someone else." I turned to walk past him.
His hand shot out and caught my wrist, pulling me back gently but firmly. His other hand landed on my shoulder, warm and steady.
"I… I am sorry," he let out quietly. "You can spend my money."
He pulled me closer until our bodies were almost touching. His hands stayed on my shoulders, thumbs brushing lightly over the fabric of his own hoodie I was wearing.
"You can't spend another man's money. I am your husband. Besides, you have access to our joint account. I am surprised you are asking me for money."
I blinked at him, completely caught off guard.
(System… his joint account. Remind me how to access it.)
(Host… using five points to know the password of his card to the account.)
My eyes widened. I felt like strangling the system right then and there.
Why is this system always after my life?
(Well… It's your birthday. 1505. Also, the problem is that you lost your card.)
I sighed, at least I could lie my way out of this.
"Well… Stephan…" I let out a small, nervous laugh and poked his chest gently. "I lost the card."
He grabbed my hand instantly. That cold gaze returned to his face.
"You lost the card… or you gave it to Henry? I can receive every detail of the shit he has been buying."
I blinked rapidly.
The original Jasmine had actually given Henry her husband's card? How stupid could she be? Stephan was handsome, richer, and far more mature than Henry. Why on earth had she loved that snake?
"Hmmmm… I… don't…" I looked down, not knowing how to lie smoothly. "Well, I will get it back from him… so you don't have to worry."
At once his grip around my wrist tightened, just enough to hurt a little.
"I don't want to see the two of you together. Either you hurt him like you did today or you avoid him completely."
I smirked. "This means I won't suffer for hitting him, right?" He stared at me for a few seconds, then sighed.
"Go get your bag. We are going to the hospital. You need to get your brain checked."
My eyes widened. "Wait…"
Before I could stop him, he had already walked off. I stood there for a moment, heart racing, then hurried after him.
The drive to the hospital was quiet at first. Stephan sat beside me in the back seat, one arm draped casually over the seat behind me.
Every few minutes his fingers would brush my shoulder light, almost accidental touches that sent warmth spreading through me.
I kept stealing glances at him. The way the sunlight caught the sharp line of his jaw, the way his midnight eyes softened whenever they landed on me. Even when he was angry or confused, there was something magnetic about him.
"Stephan…" I said softly.
"Hmm?"
"Well, don't you think you should listen to your son's side of the story… after all he is your son and there must have been something that had triggered him to hit another person."
He stiffened at once and then he glanced at me for some seconds, "My Son… you don't call him that.." he let out and I paused at once confused.
Before I could blink his hands were around my neck, "Who the fuck are you?"