Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Like my grandmother used to tell me, some of the evilest people are church folks, but please don’t let this interfere in your relationship with God. Pastor Caldwell is clearly a false prophet.” Amina assured her.
She wasn’t particularly religious herself, but she did have a spiritual side her grandmother had helped her nurture. She could empathize with someone who grew up with a strong religious foundation like Jasmine.
“Yeah, my family is only a go to church on Easter and Christmas kinda family and even I could see through that snake oil salesman,” Paisley chimed in holding out tissues for Jasmine.
Jasmine took it and blew her nose. “Thank you.”
“I’m really sorry for bringing you into this mess Jasmine. I used you to get back at Mark and I fear I’ve caused you pain in the process.”
Jasmine shook her head vehemently. “No. I may be young but my mom always said I was stubborn. I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t want to, like I told you before. People need to know who the real Otis Caldwell is and part of me wanted to embarrass him for what he’d done to me.”
“Too bad he doesn’t know the meaning of the word shame,” Amina scoffed.
“I’m kind of tired, so I’d better get home,” Jasmine sighed.
“I can drive you home. I’m just waiting for someone.”
“If you’re waiting for someone I can take her home,” Paisley volunteered.
“Are you sure?” Amina asked. “I feel bad, that you had to witness that but I appreciate the support.”
“Are you kidding me? I haven’t been this entertained in ages. Whew, it was like being in the middle of a soap opera. No offense.” She looked at Jasmine sheepishly.
“None taken.”
“You were awesome in there though.” Paisley gently patted Jasmine on the arm. “Hey, since we didn’t get a chance to eat, how about I take stop for burgers before I drop you off?”
Jasmines seemed to perk up. “I’d actually like that a lot.”
“Great because I’m starving.” Paisley turned to Amina and gave her hug. “I’m so proud of you. I’m glad you’re not marrying that jerk. He was the worst. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Alright. Thanks again for coming. Jasmine, if you need anything at all, please call me.”
Jasmine nodded with a slight smile.
Once Amina was on her own, she checked her phone. There was a text from Ethan.
On my way.
She breathed a sigh of relief knowing that she’d see him soon. Amina was about to send him a text when the sound of angry footsteps drew near.
“Amina! You fucking bitch!”
She turned to see a raging red-faced Mark.
Chapter
Eighteen
Ethan waited anxiously for Amina to get in contact with him when he’d learned she was entering the restaurant. He should have waited in the restaurant parking lot instead of a hotel bar, a couple miles away. As the minutes passed, he grew uneasy.
Amina’s ex was unstable and there was no telling what his reaction would be, once Jasmine showed up, even in a roomful of people.
After tossing back one drink he left the bar to hang out in his car.
The second he received her 911 text, Ethan sped to the restaurant.
Just as he pulled up, he saw a man and a woman standing in front of the building. As he got closer, he recognized Amina and Mark.
Mark yelled at Amina with his fist raised as if he was going to hit her.
Ethan slammed on the breaks, placed his car in park and rushed toward them.
“You think you can fucking embarrass me and walk away like you’ve done nothing wrong?” Mark screamed.
By now a handful of people had come out of the restaurant to observe.
“I don’t care what you think anymore, Mark, you are no longer my problem!” Amina countered. “Stay away from me!”
She turned away from him but Mark grabbed her by the hair and cocked his fist back.
Ethan made it to them just in time to catch Mark’s fist.
With his free arm, he delivered an uppercut to Mark’s jaw. Mark released Amina’s hair as he stumbled backward and collapsed on the ground.
“Keep your fucking hands off her. You’re the only one who’s lost his mind around here. What kind of man puts his hands on a woman? You piece of shit!”
Ethan had never been so angry in his life. When Amina had told him of her past abuse at the hands of her ex in their previous life, it pissed him off. But witnessing it first-hand sent his rage meter off the charts.
“You son of a bitch, if you ever touch her again, I’ll make you wish you were never born,” he snarled.
Mark held his face, with wide-eyed terror. He curled himself into a ball, making himself smaller against another potential attack. Just like Ethan thought, Mark was the epitome of a coward. He could pick on those he thought were weaker than him but when it came to a fair fight, he was a little bitch.