Page 115 of Four Fiances & I

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” I ask as I squat down in front of her. Jasmine looks me in the eye and nods whilst forcing a smile.

“I’m fine, just a little shocked someone would do this,” she answers, showing me the smile she hid her pain behind for years.

“What’s happened, Jazzy?” Jason asks softly behind me. Jasmine looks up at him as she tightens her hold on my hands.

“Someone’s ruined her dress, that’s what’s happened!”

I look up to see Danielle looking murderous.

“What?” Turning my attention to Jasmine, I watch as she blinks back tears whilst nodding.

“All the dresses have been covered in red dye or something. None of them can be salvaged,” Verity explains behind Jasmine. I turn to Jason and can see he’s struggling with his temper. I look to the ladies who own the shop as I stand, straightening my suit.

“Mr O’Reilly, we are so sorry. We have no idea what happened. They only arrived last night,” Penelope looks ready to burst into tears. I don’t miss how she’s shaking.

“Did you check them when they came in? Could it have happened when being transported?” Jason asks. Penelope shakes her head, looking between the two of us.

“I always check them. They were fine on arrival, so I signed them off with the delivery driver.”

“Did you notice anything suspicious yesterday or this morning?” Terry asks. Penelope looks to Layton, who nods.

“They told me a lady came in yesterday to book a consultation, and was being very difficult, causing a few issues before she finally left.” Layton turns his attention to Terry. “I have already checked the CCTV, and that’s when we realised it had somehow been turned off, and nothing was recorded from an hour after the dresses were delivered.”

“She was a distraction so someone could get in and ruin the dresses or make it easier for them to get in once everyone had gone home,” Terry sighs, rubbing his face.

Jason looks at me, and I close my eyes for a moment before turning back to look at Jasmine.

“Do you mind if I look at them, Sweetheart?”

She shrugs whilst her jaw clenches for a moment before that fake-ass smile appears again.

“Doesn’t make any difference now; I won’t be able to wear it.” I know she’s trying to lighten the mood, but I can also see she is close to her breaking point. My girl is heartbroken on what should have been a wonderful day she should remembered fondly forever. Now, she will remember it for all the wrong reasons. Leaning in, I kiss her head, wishing I could stop all this from happening to our sweet, big-hearted girl.

“We will get to the bottom of this, I promise,” I whisper into her hair. She looks up at me through her eyelashes and nods.

“I know, Daddy.”

Turning to Jason, I see him talking to Layton and Gordon. All look sombre as the girls surround Jasmine, giving her the support she needs.

Turning to Penelope, who looks just as upset as Jasmine’s friends, I realise everyone needs to get out of here and have time to breathe, especially Jasmine, who is getting closer and closer to losing the fantastic control over her emotions she has right now.

“Penelope, can you show me these dresses? Then we will decide what the next steps will be.”

ChapterThirty-Eight

JASON

With my arm around Jasmine, I hold her close as we quickly get her to the car. She’d been so strong when inside, but now that everyone has left, she’s starting to lose the last control she’s been hiding behind.

“I’m so sorry, Sweetheart. I can’t even imagine how devastated you are right now; I know how much you loved that dress,” Christian whispers as he holds the back door of his car open for her.

“I’ll ride back here with her,” I whisper, helping her into the car. Christian looks at her for a second, like he wants to argue, and I know he does, but we also know what she needs right now.

Climbing into the car as Jaz slides across to the other side, I try to ignore my anger. I glance at Christian, who nods once, signalling he gets it before closing the door. In no time, he’s in the passenger seat while Terry drives. Layton has taken the other girls home, leaving us to focus on our girl.

Each of them is devastated for their friend. They love her so much, and to see someone hurt her in this way was too much for them. I’ve messaged Travis to give him a heads-up, as I’m sure Verity will need someone with her when she gets home. I’m waiting for the day he tells us he's keeping Verity away from Jasmine for her protection. He was close to it this morning, so this may be the thing that seals that fate. Would I blame him if he did? No. I wouldn’t think twice if the roles were reversed, and Jasmine was in danger because of Verity and her guys. It’s the role we play as their daddies and protectors.

For a short while, we travel in silence. Jasmine stares out of the car window with her arms wrapped around herself the whole time, a sign she feels vulnerable, and who can blame her? I want to reach across, wrap my arms around her, and reposition us both so she’s sitting on my lap so I can hold her like I know she needs. But I also know that there are times she needs to process her feelings in her own way. So, instead of doing what I long to, I leave her in peace and wait for when she needs me.

---