09
On the day Brandon and I finalized our divorce, a storm tore through the sky. Rain pounded down, accompanied by bolts of lightning and the low rumble of thunder. Brandon stood outside the courthouse, his face dark with resentment. He called out, “Jasmine, do you really have no conscience? Aren’t you afraid of karma?”
Before I could respond, his phone rang, and he rushed off into the downpour without waiting for an answer.
Later, I learned that Claire had gone through with the kidney donation. But despite the sacrifice, Brandon’s mother suffered severe complications from the transplant and didn’t survive.
As for Ashford Holdings, its condition only worsened, slipping further into ruin. Brandon, now embroiled in an endless scramble to keep the business afloat, quickly cut off the financial support he’d once promised Claire. With his mother gone, Claire’s well–being no longer mattered to him.
No matter how hard he tried to revive his failing empire, I made sure he never had another chance in the market. I remained single, focused on managing Monroe Enterprises and raising our son, putting every ounce of my energy into their success.
I hadn’t seen Brooke or Brandon again since that day. But once, by pure coincidence, I ran into Claire.
She was working as a hostess at a restaurant, shivering in a flimsy dress as she greeted guests at the door on a freezing winter evening. When she spotted me, a flicker of recognition crossed her face. She hesitated, as if wanting to avoid me, but finally lowered her gaze, forced to stand and offer me a polite bow.
Her complexion was pale, a sickly pallor that betrayed her failing health. I would have walked right past her, dismissing her as someone of no concern, but as I did, she reached out, gently tugging at my coat.
I paused, and in a voice rough with strain, she rasped, “I’m sorry.”
I said nothing, merely shook off her hand and continued on.
In this world, there are things for which no apology can make amends. Some actions leave no room for regrets or second chances.
Claire, at last, understood her mistake. But it was far too late.
1days ago
