She gasped.
"I'm sorry. That's what I heard," he said contritely. "My dad was very ill at the time. I was angry and worried. I felt hemmed in with the pressure of taking over Dad's work. I hated that none of my other siblings wanted to help and I was lumped with everything. I was in a low point when I decided to go for what I wanted. Trouble was, I did it in a very immature way. I drank too much at your sister's wedding and got miffed that you found another guy and I missed my chance again. I said to myself if you weren't after a serious relationship then fine, I'd just enjoy a night with you. So I decided to take a chance and acted aggressive and playful."
Her mouth hung open as she listened to Tim explain his actions.
"Jasmine? Are you still there?"
"Yes," she managed to croak.
"I truly do apologise. When I think about some of the things I said to you, it makes me cringe."
"Tell me everything, Tim. I don't believe you've told me everything yet."
"There's not much after that. When you kept on responding angrily to my misguided courting, I realised you were not that kind of girl. I always knew you weren't. I guess I was just lonely and feeling sorry for myself. But that's no excuse."
She closed her eyes. "How do I know you're not lying to me to justify your stalking?"
He laughed mirthlessly. "I don't expect you to believe me, Jasmine. That's why I never called you."
She ran her hand over her face. Tim had a point. He didn't call her. She called him.
"I need to talk to George. Could you give me his phone number, please? The one I have has been disconnected."
"George? I don't have his current number either. He's … ah … he's disappeared."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, apparently he had a joint bank account with his ex-fiancée. He took a lot of money from it and disappeared."
"What?!" she said in disbelief.
"I guess I didn't really know him all that well. George was immature in a lot of respects, but I never thought he'd do something like that."
Damn it. She needed to talk to him. She held her head in her hand.
"Why do you need to talk to George, Jasmine?"
She sighed. "It's a long story I'm not prepared to share with you right now. If you happen to get George's new contact number, could you please let me know?"
"Sure. And Jasmine, I'm really sorry."
"Okay. Bye, Tim."
She let out a frustrated yell when she hung up the phone. If she couldn't get to George, and if no one knew where he was, how was she going fix this?
Well, there was only one option she could think of.
~~~~~~~
Hannah,
I don't know where to start. Your email came as a big shock to me. But please let me clarify some very important things.
First, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your baby and your mother's passing. Please know that neither Kane nor I ever meant to add to your hurt.
I am not a slut who breaks up relationships. I'm sorry for bringing this up but my understanding was that Kane had already made the decision to end your relationship after you lost the baby. That was before he met me. Kane breaking up with you was going to happen even if I had never entered the picture. Still, I want you to know that Kane and I didn't sleep together until after he broke up with you. We knew you deserved that consideration.
I did not write the stories that you attached to your email but I think I know who did. That someone is out to destroy my reputation and I think I know why. When I dated him, I didn't know he had a fiancée. I only found out about her after I broke up with him. I really don't know why he intends to hurt me and Kane. My only guess is that he wanted revenge for me 'badmouthing' him (even though all I did was clarify the situation to his fiancée).
Please be careful with your dealings with him and don't believe anything he says.
Kane and his firm winning the award would mean the world to me, too. Hannah, for Kane's sake, please don't let yourself be interviewed by anyone. That way, no one could misinterpret the situation involving you, me and Kane that could cost Kane his reputation. This is in your hands, Hannah, not mine.
I love Kane, Hannah. And he loves me. I ask you to please accept that. I beg you to please do the right thing.
Jasmine
P.S. If you do release the documents to my work and to my family and friends, as you have threatened to do, I will be within my rights to take legal action. I hope it doesn't come to that.
~~~~~~~
Jasmine,
I have read your email. Sure, you make some sense in some parts, but if you are telling me the truth then there is still a massive problem.
The person who has told me about you seems to hold plenty of ammunition against you. I confess to not knowing who he/she is. But the fact remains he/she obviously knows you well enough.
This person said that Kane cheated on me with you. Even if I believed your side of the story (I'm still not sure if I do) and pretended I was okay with you and Kane getting together, this person could still hurt you and Kane. (You yourself believe that's what he is out to do).
And even if I don't let myself be interviewed about how Kane treated me, I'm afraid my story is out. I have already shared it with this person.
Therefore, as you can see, you being with Kane is STILL a big problem whether I'm in the picture or not. YOUR bad press could still hound him, even if I stay silent.
No, this is not in my hands, Jasmine. It is in yours. If you really love Kane, then do the right thing by him. Stay away from him so your own personal problems don't affect his career and the professional reputation he's worked so hard to build.
Hannah
~~~~~~~
Jasmine had read the email at least ten times already and she read it again. Every time she did, the more she could see Hannah was right. While George was out there intent on revenge or whatever it was that motivated him, she had to stay away from Kane.
She buried her face in her hands and sobbed, her heart breaking into pieces. She had no choice. She had to break up with Kane—at least for a short while. It would be pure selfishness on her part to make him risk not only his reputation but his firm's. He had colleagues and staff who would be affected if they lost big contracts. This went further than the two of them.
She feared that if she told Kane about the emails from Hannah, he might not even agree to a pretend breakup. He'd want to find ways around the problem. He'd want to hunt George down and he'd want to talk to Hannah. That could push those two into doing something terribly vindictive.
She didn't want to take any risks, especially at a time when Kane had the biggest opportunity of his career. The cost to him would be enormous.
As far as she could see, the only way to protect the man she loved with all her heart was to convince him she didn't want to be with him anymore—just until she had sorted this out. And hopefully, with Tim's help, she'd find George and put a stop to this madness. Then she and Kane could resume their relationship.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jasmine Allen, if you try to defend yourself against the sordid truth about you, or if you get Kane Summers to try to defend you in any way, you will both regret it. Unfortunately for Kane, he has much more to lose than you. Stay with him and he can kiss his impeccable reputation goodbye. Leave him and he'll be fine.
As for you, your reputation may be beyond repair. But I might still feel sorry for you one of these days if you show remorse for what you've done in the past.
Fresh tears escaped Jasmine as she re-read the email she had received earlier that day. It was unsigned and it was from an address she didn't recognise. She doubted it was from Hannah. She could only surmise it was from George.
Whatever hope she still harboured about being able to disclose to Kane the threat to his reputation disappeared with this latest message. The message was very clear. Kane must not know. It seemed George wanted her to suffer. For what? For ruining his love life? Whatever his reasons, he had fou
nd the most efficient way to hurt her.
She jumped at the sound of her phone ringing and took a deep breath before answering it.
"Hi," she said as casually as she could.
"Hi, honey. How are you?"
Jasmine almost sobbed out loud at Kane's endearing voice. It was a good thing they weren't on a video call. At least she wouldn't have to explain her red and puffy eyes.
"Not too bad," she said with a clogged up voice.
"Hey, did you catch a cold?" he asked with concern.
"Yeah, I did."
"Not good. How are you feeling?"
"Crap," she answered truthfully.
"Oh, baby. Are you taking something for your cold?"
"Just some Vitamin C."
"Is everything else okay? You sound a bit down."
Damn it. Why does he have to notice. "I'm just not feeling very well," she responded, unable to keep the dejection from her voice.
"Have you seen a doctor yet? I think you should go see one."
"I'll see one tomorrow," she lied.
"I miss you," Kane said softly.
She clamped her mouth with her hand, forcing herself to remain silent even when her whole soul wanted to scream 'I miss you, too'.
"Jaz?"
"I'm really feeling a bit tired tonight, Kane. Do you mind if we talk some other time?" she said in as neutral a tone as she could manage. She didn't know yet how to tell him they were over.
"Okay," he said but continued his worried interrogation. "Does your mum know you're sick?"
"No."
"You don't sound too good, Jasmine. You should tell your mum so she can visit you and make sure you're okay."
Damn you. Why do you have to be so caring?
"I wish I was there to take care of you," Kane continued tenderly.
A tear escaped her. "I have to go, Kane. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
There was a short silence before he acquiesced. "All right. Have a good rest, baby. I love you."
"Bye." She hang up and buried her face in her pillow.
*******
"I'm so sorry I'm ruining your trip," Jasmine said guiltily to Ari.
"Don't be silly. I came here for the weekend so you could help me heal my broken heart. Now it just means I get to return the favour," Ari responded softly.
"Thank you," she said sincerely as her doorbell rang. "That'll be Sam and Kris."
She opened the door and watched her friends' smiles transform into shock.
"Jaz, what the hell?" Kris asked while Sam stared at her with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.
She chuckled despite her grief. "Geez, I must really look a mess to have that kind of reaction."
Her friends gently pushed their way in, taking her with them.
"This is Ari, girls," she said, smiling at her new chum. "Be nice to her so she can enjoy her weekend. I'm not being much of a help."
Sam and Kris warmly introduced themselves to Ari before all three of them turned their attention back to her in dismay.
"Have you been crying all night?" Sam asked.
"All night and all of this morning, I'd say," Ari said. "When she picked me up from the airport, I almost didn't recognise her."
"This could only mean one thing," Sam said gravely.
"That Kane Summers hurt you, didn't he?" Kris asked in a demanding tone, hands on hips.
"No," she sniffed, her heart once again contracting at the thought of how much she would be hurting him.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm breaking up with him," she whispered.
"Why?"
"I have no choice. I have to."
"Okay, let me make some tea and coffee, then you'll start from the beginning," Sam said, already filling up the kettle with water.
She nodded, grateful that her friends were around her. She needed all the support she could get. She was already falling apart and she hadn't even done the deed yet. Somehow, she had to find the strength to do it for Kane.
She held on to hope that sometime in the very near future, George's conscience would kick in and he would stop all this craziness. Then after that, maybe she and Kane could be together again.
~~~~~~~
"There must be some other way," Sam said insistently. "How stupid is it that you guys are in love and you allow some thieving dickhead to tear you apart?"
"If you can tell me what I can do to be absolutely sure nothing sullies Kane's name, I'm all ears," Jasmine said.
"This is doing my head in," Kris muttered, pressing her hands to her forehead. "Tell me again why you can't tell Kane about this?"
"Because either he would insist on fixing this thing, or at the very least ignore George's threat. He can't do either of those. George's threat was clear. He will do something that would damage Kane's reputation if I don't stay away from him. News about Kane has already started appearing, not just in architectural publications, but in other places, too. I even found an article that said he should be nominated for Bachelor of the Year!"
"Really?"
"Yes. I think he'd pass up on that. But you see, if they see me with him, they'll be interested in who I am. Then George could just easily swoop in with his malicious untruths."
"Well, if lies do come out about the two of you, surely you could refute that?" Ari asked.
"But not after they have already done some damage. Kane has told me that some clients with international standing don't want negative publicity attached to them, so some may desert his firm if that happens. It's not just about his reputation; it's also about his business and all the people who work with him."
"So you'll really break up with him?"
"I have to," she replied resolutely. "But I won't stop looking for George so I can put a stop to this mess. I just hope I have enough self-restraint not to wring his neck when I do find him."
"Well, the sooner we find George Fucking Paulson, the better," Kris declared. "Then even if you have to stay away from Kane now, hopefully it won't have to be for too long."
"Yes, we'll help you sort this out anyway we can," Sam said.
Ari nodded her head enthusiastically.
Jasmine smiled gratefully at her friends but her heart was being ripped to shreds. It was really going to happen. The four of them couldn't see any other way.
She would have to say goodbye to the love of her life.
*******
"Hi, Kane," Jasmine said, her whole body breaking in sweat and her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
"Hi, baby!" Kane replied cheerfully. "I was just about to call you. How are you feeling?"
"A bit better, thanks," she responded flatly.
"Your voice sounds a bit better but you're still not well, are you?"
She could imagine him scowling hard and a bittersweet smile formed on her face. She inhaled deeply, willing herself to get on with it.
"Kane, I'm not moving to Sydney."
"What did you say?"
"I'm staying here in Melbourne. After coming back here, I realised this is where I want to be," she replied in a calm voice.
"Is it because you won't enjoy the role they have for you in Sydney? You prefer your job there?"
"Partly," she lied.
"Okay, I suppose that means I'll be flying a lot to Melbourne then," he said cautiously.
"Kane, I don't think you should come." She tried to ignore the lancing pain in her heart.
"What?" he asked in a low voice after a long, uncomfortable silence.
"I don't think we should see each other anymore." She bit her lower lip to keep from bursting into tears.
"Jasmine, what are you saying?" he asked in a panicky tone.
Be strong, she urged herself.
"I've thought about it and it's just too hard, Kane. You'll be away from home a lot and I have my work that would prevent me from going with you. Sooner or later, we'd hate the fact that we're not together often enough. I think it's better that we don't let our relationship develop any further and end things now, befor
e we're in too deep."
"No, you don't mean that."
She heard his voice crack and a tear fell down her face. She picked up the printout of the malevolent email she had received and read it, gathering courage from the fact she was doing this because she loved him.
"I do mean it, Kane," she said quietly.
"But we can work it out, Jaz. You love writing, right? Why don't you quit your job and travel with me? You'll be able to write more books quicker. Please, think about this," he begged, his distress evident.
She shut her eyes tight. Oh, how she would love to do that! But unless the danger of George's ill will had gone, it would do Kane more harm than good if she went with him.
"I've already made up my mind, Kane."
"No, you couldn't have. Just last week you were telling me how much you were going to miss me, how you couldn't wait for the two weeks before we see each other again, how much you loved me!"
"I'm fickle, Kane. That's one thing you didn't know about me."
"Jasmine, I don't believe you."
"You have to!" she said with force.
"But why? Did I do something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry. Whatever it is, I'll make it up to you. I promise. I love you," he said brokenly.
"Kane, please. It's over," she whispered, tears running down her face unchecked.
"Why?"
"It just is."
Her heart shattered at the soft sobbing on the other end of the line.
Secret Words (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 1) Page 10