Chapter 8 Half A Year To Divorce

• Jasmine politely knocked on the door, then entered the room after receiving permission from Grandma Fulton. She respectfully addressed her as "Grandma."
• "Please close the door," Grandma instructed firmly, her expression serious.
• Jasmine promptly closed the door and approached the edge of the bed.
• "Jasmine, I didn't arrange your marriage to Michael for mere appearances. I expect him to provide offspring for the Fulton family. Do you understand?" Grandma furrowed her brow, deepening the wrinkles on her forehead.
• Jasmine's heart grew heavy. "Grandma, I understand."
• It's not that Jasmine doesn't want to have children, but this is a decision that cannot be made by her alone.
• "Then why are you still taking birth control pills? Do you think you can deceive an old grandmother like me with your act in front of Michael?" Grandma scolded.
• "Grandma... I haven't... I would never lie to you..." Jasmine replied softly.
• "Jasmine, don't forget the promise you made to me when I helped you marry Michael," Grandma reminded her, looking directly at Jasmine.
• "Grandma, I will never forget." Jasmine lowered her gaze, as if she wanted to bury her face in her shoes.
• She had promised Grandma that if she didn't conceive a child with Michael within four years, she would have to take the initiative to divorce him.
• Now, three and a half years have passed, leaving only half a year...
• "It's good that you remember, Jasmine. If you don't get pregnant within the next six months, I will be forced to find another woman to bear the Fulton family's offspring. A woman who wants to marry Michael, not just you," Grandma's words struck Jasmine deeply. "You also know that Michael's brother, who is abroad, could threaten Michael's position in the Fulton family if he has children before him."
• "I understand, Grandma," Jasmine tried to maintain a calm demeanor as she responded to Grandma's words. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms involuntarily.
• As Jasmine looked down, tears fell onto the house slippers she was wearing.
• Seeing Jasmine's sadness, Grandma's tone softened.
• "Jasmine, don't blame Grandma. I'm doing this for your own good. Michael doesn't love you. If you don't conceive his child soon, he will cast you out of the Fulton family house even if you don't divorce him after I'm gone."
• "Understood, Grandma." Jasmine nodded.
• It was true. Deep down, Jasmine always knew that Michael would never forget his best friend, Fiona.
• The only woman Michael has ever loved is Fiona. The only reason he maintains this marriage is because of Grandma...
• "Alright, you may leave now." Grandma sighed, leaning against the wall of the bed, no longer looking at Jasmine.
• Jasmine sniffled, her eyes sore. She quickly wiped away her tears and slowly made her way towards the door.
• As she exited the room, she immediately locked eyes with Michael, who was standing in the corridor.
• Jasmine was taken aback for a moment before closing the bedroom door. "Michael, why are you upstairs?"
• Michael leaned against the banister, one hand resting on the brown railing, the other holding Jasmine's bag.
• Seeing Jasmine emerge, Michael glanced at her with a meaningful gaze.
• Noticing Jasmine's red eyes, Michael licked his lips, a mix of unhappiness and mockery evident in his expression. "Are you crying?"
• "No," Jasmine averted her gaze, but her red and moist eyes couldn't hide the truth.
• "No? But your eyes are red..." Michael laughed, pointing at Jasmine's eyes.
• "What were you discussing with Grandma earlier?" Michael asked casually, unzipping Jasmine's bag and taking out an open medicine pack. "Grandma didn't say anything..." Jasmine shook her head, her eyes fixed on the man who was removing contraceptive pills from her bag.
• Startled, she reached out to grab the bag back. "Hey, Michael, that's my bag. Give it back..."
• But her movements were no match for Michael's speed.
• Michael held the strap of the bag with his fingers, lifting it high. Jasmine strained to reach it, stretching out her hand but falling short.
• "Michael... what do you mean?" Jasmine tried to grab it, but in front of a man who towered over her, she had no choice but to surrender and lower her hands.
• "Earlier, you were lying, weren't you? You didn't take the contraceptive pills, did you?" Michael laughed sarcastically, his eyes darkening with an indiscernible emotion.
• Upon hearing those words, Jasmine's face turned pale. She closed Grandma's room tightly, took a few steps towards the stairs, and pleaded with Michael, "Michael, let's discuss this outside, okay?"
• Michael raised an eyebrow, briefly glancing at Grandma's room. This was the first time he didn't reject Jasmine's invitation, and he followed her downstairs.
• "Sir, Madam, aren't you having dinner?" Aunt Quincy emerged from the kitchen, observing the two of them hurrying towards the door.
• "We won't be eating. Thank you, Aunt Quincy. Please inform Grandma," Jasmine politely replied before walking out, leaving the ancestral home.
• With each step, Jasmine's heart grew more uneasy.
• How should she approach this conversation with Michael?
• Yes, she had lied to him. When she almost swallowed the contraceptive pill, she hesitated. She wanted to conceive his child.
• Due to her agreement with Grandma, there was still half a year left. If she didn't have a child within that time, they would get a divorce. She regretted this marriage.
• The two of them got into the car, starting the engine and driving down the mountain.
• Michael, sitting in the driver's seat, asked Jasmine in a slightly teasing tone, "Jasmine, care to explain why you didn't take that medicine? Do you truly want to become pregnant with my child?"
• Jasmine clenched the seat belt with her sweaty palms, pouting. "Actually, I intended to take the medicine when I got home, but I didn't know... Your grandmother found out. I'm sorry."
• This man didn't love her, nor could he let go of his pride and confess his feelings to her.
• After a brief pause, she continued, "If it bothers you, I'll take it now."
• As the words left her mouth, she realized that her heart was truly broken.
• Jasmine didn't pay attention to the response the man sitting next to her might make. She quickly opened her bag, taking out the pack of contraceptive pills.
• From the pack, she retrieved two white pills, tilting her head back and swallowing them immediately.
• The pill slid down Jasmine's dry throat, her eyes welling up with tears once again. She looked at Michael. "Michael, I've taken the medicine. Are you satisfied now?"
• Michael turned the steering wheel, his gaze fixed ahead, remaining silent.
• Satisfied? He was far from satisfied!
• He could have been happy because this woman didn't deserve to bear his child. But seeing her swallow the pills without any water, he suddenly felt a surge of emotions.
• Silence filled the car.
• Jasmine turned her head towards the window, covering her mouth as tears fell onto her fingers.
• In half a year, they would be divorced...