The City Held Its Silence byIrel Knx 36

36 use me 

“Is your husband abusing you?” He asked me. O 

My eyes widened in horror. I looked into his eyes that had a serious expression. For a moment I just stared at him. I didn’t have an answer for him. 

“Look I don’t mean to overstep I’ve tried this whole time not to ask anything too personal since you seemed like you didn’t want to talk about your situation but I’m concerned for you, Jasmine,” he said to me in a gentle tone. “It’s the reason I came to see you after your shift. I want to know if you need help.” 

I continued to stare at him stunned. I was completely taken aback at the fact that there was no judgemental look in his eyes. He instead had a genuine look of concern for me. I never thought he’d view my situation as abuse. This whole time I thought he was looking down on me and think of how pathetic I’ve become. 

“I heard about what happened with you and your husband. I know you’re estranged from him, however, I don’t know what to make of this situation. I mean you’re working as a waitress so I can only assume he’s withholding money from you, you don’t have a driver, you just told your son you’ll make dinner soon, so you don’t have any maids and have to do everything for yourself. I can only imagine what else he’s doing to you. Even if you are estranged this is still unacceptable,” he told me. 

He then eyed my body nervously as if looking for… bruises? I assumed given what he thought was happening to me. “If he’s abusing you, you can tell me,” he told me, further confirming what I thought he had in mind. 

I felt my heart grow heavier and heavier as he spoke. I had been so embarrassed and worked up thinking he was judging me but he was actually concerned for me. However I had to clear things up with him before he got the wrong idea. I mean he wasn’t far off. 

How do I explain this to him? I thought to myself. I was being abused, by Diana though and Keith was abusing me by being oblivious. However, I had already declined receiving anything going forward from Keith so there was no point in complaining 

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“Mr Carrington…” I started my voice a little shaky with emotion. 

“Louis,” he insisted, however. “We’re not at work right now.” 

“Louis, I can assure you I’m not being beaten up or anything,” I told him. 

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“So what’s going on?” he asked me. “I mean abuse doesn’t only have to be physical.” 

“Louis it’s complicated…” I started. “I’m sure you know husband left me for his former lover after we had some disagreements. The situation sucks for me and I’m not happy. However you don’t have worry about me doing things for myself. Ultimately, I’ve chosen to live like this,” I explained. 

“I see…” he replied skeptically as if he didn’t believe me. 

“I know it may not make a lot of sense but, Keith and I can’t come to a resolution to our situation. We’re getting divorced soon. I simply can’t rely on Keith or trust him anymore. So I’d prefer doing things for myself, including providing for myself. Once we’re divorced we’ll move on with our lives separately,” I gave Louis the simplified answer of my situation. I didn’t want to worry him by getting him involved in my problems. 

“You’re doing things for your…but what about your family? Can’t you ask them for help?” he asked me. 

“My family supports my husband and told me to either fix my situation with him or I’m on my own,” I informed him. 

“What the hell? So your family just abandoned you?” He said loudly sounding angry. 

“Well I don’t exactly have the best image in high society do I?” I asked him.I mean the rumors about me had influenced all socialites opinion in me. I was the unhinged jealous woman whose extreme actions had pushed away her husband. With Diana having turned everyone against me no one wanted to associate with me. Even my own family. 

“Doesn’t matter they’re still your family. It’s not like you committed a crime so they have to support you!” He said to me. 

“What about you? Do you think I’m a crazy jealous woman?” I asked him. He showed me he was concerned for me but I was curious about his opinion on my situation. 

Louis searched my eyes for a moment. “I can’t make conclusions about a situation I’m not in. Listening to baseless rumours being spread around is unproductive. I can only judge based on what I know and have seen for myself. What I see right now is the same kind woman I knew growing up who looks like she could use a hand. Thats all there is 

to it.” 

I was stunned by his answer. He sounded so mature and wise. 

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“I see,” I said in response. 

“So about your husband, you’re saying you’re going to leave him and you’ll move on separately but what about your son? Your son is the Acland heir isn’t he?” He asked 

1. me. 

“Though he hasn’t chosen his heir yet it’s obvious he’s going to choose his son from his lover.” I informed Louis. 

“Well he’s convinced that his lovers son is the more deserving one,” I told him matter of factly 

“That’s insane you should sue him. He can’t do that!” He complained on my behalf. 

I was touched by his passion. If only Louis knew I’d already been through all of that and lost miserably in court in my past life. 

“I can’t,” I said to him. 

“Why not?” He asked. 

“It’s complicated,” I said to him. I could tell him about having a past life, he’d think I’d gone mad. 

“Is it the money that’s an issue? If it is I can help you get the lawyers and resources you need,” he offered to help. 

“Absolutely not!” I immediately refused. “I can’t use you like that Louis.” 2 

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