Chapter 101 - The Choice Is Made

Benjamin

I shook my head in disbelieve. "Are you serious right now?" I frowned.

'Yes' she nodded. I took a step back from her. "This is utterly absurd… " I said not knowing how to respond. "You will no longer serve me as your wife." I repeated her.

"Was that what last night was like for you? Serving me?" I said skeptically. "Because I thought you and I both love each other and showered one another in that love last night." I said shock coloring my tone.

Jasmine pinched her eyes shut. "I am not just talking about intercourse." She said folding her arms across her body. "Besides, I was not talking about last night and of course I love you!!" She shouted the last three words.

"Then…" I said approaching her again. "What are you saying?" I said as Jasmine took a step back in return.

"That if you do not let Saphira go, I want a divorce." She said sharply. I was frozen.

"You are threatening me with a divorce. I have almost lost you, due to an attack on both our lives and you are threatening me with a divorce." I grumbled. "The morning after we have first made love…" I said in pure disbelieve.

"I honestly don't comprehend your train of thought." I said raising both my hands. "I am going to take a shower and I hope your sanity has returned when I get back." I said.

I turned around and walked into the bathroom. I closed the door and placed both of my hands on the sink. I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red.

Jasmine had been through a lot, maybe that was why she was acting so weird. I should not get mad at her and try to remain calm for the both of us. Although I truly thought that threatening me with divorce, was highly out of line in any case.

Jasmine

My heart raced in my chest. Had I really been bold enough to speak my mind just now? I was proud of myself. He should know my boundaries. And here was the line.

I would not share my husband with anyone than his family. I walked to the closet and opened a few cabinets, seeking something to wear. Most were empty, but then I found what I was looking for.

There were several outfits, all in my size. I put a green long dress on and a matching headscarf. I was not going to wait for him to return, because he would talk me out of it. Or he would take me into his bed again. I was to drawn to him, to let myself be alone with him right now. I had to keep my ground.

I heard that the shower stopped and quickly went out of our bedroom. I followed the stairs down and saw that Seth and Adam were watching TV, my mother in-law was knitting and my father in-law was reading a book.

There was no sign of Saphira and Lynn.

"Hey boys." I greeted my young brothers. "Jasmine." Adam cheered. "What are you watching?" I asked as I went to sit in between them.

Seth hugged me. "I am so glad that you are alright." He cried. My mother in-law heard us as well and walked up to the couch. "My daughter, are you well?" She asked me.

I smiled at her. "I am so glad to be with you again." I murmured. "Do you want to play a game with us?" Seth asked. Adam yanked Seth's ear. "We can't ask her that." He corrected him.

"Sure I will." I told them. Both boys seemed delighted. They both picked out a boardgame and we all walked up to the dining table. There was a glass bowl of fruits. "May I take one?" I asked mom.

"Of course my dear." She said. "There is no need to ask." She offered. As Seth was explaining the rules to me Lynn and Saphira entered the room. "Let's play Lynn." Saphira offered.

"Yeah!" Lynn said cheerfully. My stomach twisted. I did not want to be near Saphira. I was not holding a grudge towards her perse, but then again maybe I was.

My mother in-law kissed me on the cheek and I felt warm. Then she returned to her knitting. I saw Saphira's eyes on us, she seemed just as jealous of me, as I as of her.

I heard Benjamin walk down the stairs when it was my turn to play. I acted like I did not hear him and followed Adam's instructions regarding the game. It was strange playing with them, as if we were just a regular family, in regular circumstances, instead of being locked up in a safe house.

"Jasmine can you come up with me," Benjamin said in a calm voice. "I am playing a game." I told him, not looking up. I felt his closeness as he came to stand next to me. 

"Besides… We have stayed in bed for the longest time…" I trailed off. It was not decent to imply these thing with family around, but I needed to send a message.

Benjamin scraped his throat. He was clearly uncomfortable by what I was implying. I did not care.

"Yeah… Ben… I think you should stay down and give our hearing a little break." Lynn snickered.

I felt a little ashamed that they all heard me, but then again, that was exactly what I was after.

Benjamin stroke his hand across my face, looking me intently into my eyes. "Later then." He let me know he was not going to let this go so easily.

I saw that Saphira and Benjamin shared a glance and my stomach knotted. "Saphira, how is your mom doing?" I asked her.

Saphira seemed off balance. "She is fine." She said looking at Ben.

"When are you going back home?" I asked her deliberately. "It is probably safer for you at home, than it is here." I said implying that she should leave.

"Saphira will stay with us.." Benjamin said staring me down.