Chapter 4
Jasmine – Age Twenty-Two
I slowly swirl the untouched champagne in my glass, eyeing all the socialites milling around, some bad mouthing the MC, pissed.
Others congratulating them for their large donation to the charity that we’re all here to help raise funds for or supposed to be anyhow.
So far it just seems like a pissing contest and the Rebels have won by a fricking mile which just makes me smile.
For the past hour the club have been the talk of the fundraiser and most of the rich and the entitled are just mad because none of the higher-ups can touch the money the MC raised.
It’s not like we’re all here to apparently raise money for said charity which is why the MC went about it another way to donate knowing how the senate works.
How I see it, the Rebels transferred their funds straight to the charity itself for families struggling, while all these people don’t give a crap, and whatever is raised will be halved because the higher-ups, like my father, will swindle the amount raised and take some home for themselves.
Something I learned over the years – my family is a fraud, and the fact that my brother is joining them makes me physically sick.
God, I wish Logan were here. He’d make it more bearable and right now, I’m beginning to think it’s time to come out with our relationship.
Brady and Bruce are across the hall with my dad, all brown-nosing, hoping to stay on the ladder, so to speak, while my mother stands beside me, trying to look poised despite the condescending glares I keep getting because of how I acted when we got here though I don’t know what she expected, I’ve barely been home in two years, she has to know I’m seeing someone so I wouldn’t put up with it.
Bruce tried to court me as soon as we arrived, tried to wrap his arm around me, my mother ready to announce to the press about our so called engagement that I have managed to put off for an extra year, trying to get our pictures but before he could touch me I moved away from him and walked inside the hall.
Ever since, Bruce has tried to hide his scowl while Mama has been side-eyeing me, probably hoping to intimidate me that for once isn’t working and the so-called relationship with that rapist isn’t going to happen.
After two years with Logan, I’m no longer afraid of my mother or that damn basement.
I’ve been home for barely a week in the time I’ve been with Logan and only use their car around campus or when I’m ordered back to the prison, something, I somehow managed to put off a lot.
They don’t know I’ve moved out of their off campus house, that I’ve just graduated from college, or that I’ve been in a relationship with a biker for the past two years, but I guess they will soon.
I look down at my flat stomach, and it tightens a little. Like I said, it’s time to out our relationship.
I’m thirteen weeks pregnant and petrified.
Realizing through the stress of finals just so I can get into law school that I’d missed more than one period well I would be lying if I said it didn’t scare me because it did, a lot.
When I went to the OB, claiming it was probably stress that caused my cycle to mess up, the scan she gave me stated otherwise.
I think I’m still in shock after finding out three days ago. I still can’t believe it, and right now, my mother and that sick ass, Bruce, are the last things on my mind. Only my boyfriend is consuming me.
What if Logan doesn’t want it?
What if he thinks I tried to trap him?
What if his club doesn’t accept me when I finally take his patch?
What if my family try to ruin him?
Damn that last one makes me feel queasy.
“So Jasmine, I heard you graduated from Wincher College with honors…” Ms. Palmer says, and I blink, looking towards the woman who has always looked down on me, no thanks to my mother. I smile slightly, seeing pride on her wrinkled face, covered in too much foundation.
“Honors?” Mama questions me sharply, “You didn’t tell me you graduated.”
Because I didn’t want you there, Granny, Uncle Charms and Logan were all I needed, I think to myself, but instead I lie, “Because I didn’t walk, Mama, I knew you and daddy were extremely busy so I collected my diploma instead. I was going to tell you at the end of the evening.”
Her face reddens, and I try not to gloat as I continue, “I also got accepted into Wincher law school, I’ll be starting in the fall.”
Did I mention that in front of the town's biggest gossip on purpose, knowing Mama can’t try to pull me away from my dream that my uncle encouraged me towards?
Yes, yes, I did, and I’m not even ashamed especially when Brady didn’t graduate with honors and followed in Dad’s footsteps instead of having his own dreams.
“Well, I’ll say Jasmine, that is amazing,” Ms. Palmer gushes and I blush a little and thank her but before I can open my mouth she turns to Mama and says, “A daughter going to law school, a son following in his father’s footsteps, you must be very proud, Maddison, I mean if I was you, I’d be gloating from the rooftops especially around Shirley and those snot brains she calls children.
Did you hear about Celine? She’s only gone and gotten herself knocked up at the age of seventeen of all ages to a boy with no wealth, no future… ”
Mama smiles politely as she grips my arm, but I don’t flinch as she states, “I’m extremely proud, Janine, thank you.”
“And a wedding as well between Bruce and Jasmine, wow…” She continues to gush, and I quickly chime in, “Actually, Ms. Palmer, Bruce, and I won’t be getting married, we’re not even dating, we never have dated,” Mama’s head snaps my way, her eyes full of rage as she digs her nails into my arm, and I smile through the pain.
This will be the last time she lays a hand on me.
“Oh, well, I uh, I thought…” Ms. Palmer stutters as she grips her pearls, yes, pearls around her neck.
I finally let out the truth and throw the nail in the coffin for Mama and state, “I’ve been seeing someone now for two years, we even live together, and actually,” I look around the room, “He’s a part of the MC that donated the majority portion to this fundraiser, even due to take over an officer role after he graduates medical school and I have to tell you, I am the most proudest girlfriend on earth right now.
His club helping those in need, my man wanting to become a doctor to help others, it is really inspiring. ”
“Really?” Ms. Palmer gasps, her silver eyes sparkling with this new information, while Mama’s nails make my arm bleed and she digs them even tighter making me want to choke out a cry but I don’t, instead I admit, “Yes really and guess what,” the woman takes a step forward as I lean towards her like I’m telling her a secret, “not only will I be starting law school that Granny has already stated she’ll be paying for, but Logan and I, we’re going to be parents. ”
Ms. Palmer’s mouth drops open in shock, and I look at Mama, who I swear looks ready to burst with how pissed she is right now as she grits, “Jasmine, shall we go mingle?”
I smile softly despite the way my heart is pounding knowing if I don’t get out of here, she’ll try and lock me up and I say, “Actually, I need to get home, I told Logan I wouldn’t be long, especially with the morning sickness and I don’t want him calling out the cavalry, you know these MC men, all protective of their women,” I look at a shocked Ms. Palmer, “Well, it’s more like all day sickness.
Not sure why they call it morning but anyway… ”
I look back at my mother, and I hand her the glass and say, “Here, Mama, now you’ve finished your first glass, you can finally have your second. My hand was beginning to cramp.”
She takes it, her hand shaking with so much rage I’m shocked she isn’t spilling it, and I lean forward and press a gentle kiss on her cheek and whisper, “Better get on with telling everyone your daughter isn’t getting married before she does,” before I pull back and raise a brow.
Mama works her jaw, and I ignore her and turn towards Ms. Palmer and lie, “It was so good to see you, Ms. Palmer.”
She nods numbly and I walk away from the two women, Mama’s nails dragging down my arm as I walk away, cutting me and I swallow my gasp as I continue my path.
I smile politely as I pass socialites and head for the door, my body trembling.
I've done it, I’ve finally, hopefully, given them a reason to disown me and hopefully Logan won’t hurt me and leave when I tell him about the baby.
I quickly descend the steps, the paparazzi all finally gone until later when people leave, and I rush down the sidewalk, my car insight that I’ll leave at my parents’ home they bought for me while in college.
I begin to relax just a tad until sharp nails dig into my scalp and grip my hair making me cry out as I’m yanked back as Mama snaps, “You little ungrateful bitch!”
I cry out again as I lose footing in these stupid ass heels I’m forced to wear for these events, and all the air leaves me as I land with a thump on the concrete, my whole side throbbing instantly before I scream in shock as a heeled shoe slams into my stomach, making me choke out a cough.
Oh god, no!
“You will lose that baby,” Mama grunts as she kicks me again, and I scream as I move into a fatal position, her heels continuously hitting my body, and I shout, “Get away from me, you psycho bitch!”
She grips my hair and yanks my head back as we lock eyes, and she sneers, “I had plans for you, and this wasn’t it!
So help me god, Jasmine, if you don’t lose this baby and marry Bruce, I will lock you inside that basement for the rest of your pathetic life.
I’ll ensure your father uses his contacts and that little boyfriend of yours killed by the end of the week and his pathetic club will be dismantled! ”
My nostrils flare and I fist my hands.