20. Big Dollars Deal

Jasmine stood there for a moment, the chill of the night seeping into her bones. She pulled her coat tighter around her, staring at the empty street ahead. The world felt so vast, so unforgiving, and she felt so small in it. But something had shifted in her—she wasn't going to be weak anymore. She had no other option but to fight.

She turned back towards the house, her eyes narrowing at the faint light spilling from the living room window. Stella and Luke’s mocking voices echoed in her ears, their laughter ringing in her head. No more, she thought. No more letting them walk all over me. She would show them who she really was.

With her heart pounding, she stepped back inside, quietly moving through the hallway. She made her way to her room, her thoughts racing. She had to think, had to find a plan. But just as she was about to enter her room, she heard hushed voices coming from the kitchen.

Jasmine crept closer, peeking around the corner. It was Stella and Luke, and they were whisperin