Chapter 5

The sudden darkness made Yasmin's vision falter. The next second, she was pinned against the wall, and her lips were captured in a fierce kiss. It was overwhelming, almost as if it would devour her whole. Yasmin struggled for air as she pushed against Caleb's chest with all her strength, but he wouldn't budge. Instead, her own body was faltering. She felt wronged and aggrieved. When Caleb finally let go, her usually radiant eyes were glazed with unshed tears, shimmering like mist. It was unclear whether it was from the intensity of the kiss or from something deeper. But her expression—it was pure accusation. The smell of alcohol was thick in the air. "Little drunkard, be reasonable. You were the one who started provoking me after drinking, and now, you're the one feeling wronged?" Caleb's voice carried both exasperation and amusement as he held onto her waist, steadying her so that she wouldn't collapse. "You were the one who came to provoke me after drinking. You were the one who climbed into my bed first," Caleb mused internally. Yasmin lowered her gaze, refusing to look at him. Caleb immediately noticed the shift in her mood and furrowed his brows lightly. He was like a patient hunter. Instead of pressing her for answers, he simply waited for her to speak first. After a long silence, Yasmin murmured softly, breaking the stillness, "Jacob wouldn't have done this." "What did you say?" Caleb questioned, his expression immediately turning cold. A yelp of pain from Yasmin made Caleb realize that he had unknowingly exerted too much force when pulling her into his arms. Without a word, he switched on the lights, wanting to see her expression clearly. For a fleeting moment, he actually wondered if she had mistaken him for his brother, Jacob Grant, when he kissed her just now. The earlier sense of intimacy in the darkness vanished completely. The pain helped Yasmin sober up. She rubbed her face and forced herself to focus, pushing down the vulnerability in her eyes. To her, the words "Jacob wouldn't have done this" had never left her lips, seemingly a part of her dream. "Caleb, considering that we grew up together, can't you stay out of Jeremy's case?" If it weren't for Caleb's interference, she would've already convinced the Barnes family. Caleb's response was calm and detached. "I don't do favors." As if he hadn't just kissed her breathless a moment ago, his expression and tone were utterly indifferent. Yasmin let out a short, self-deprecating laugh. "Of course. There's never been anything between us worth calling a favor." Her smile faded as she continued, "Then let's talk this over like adults." Caleb raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'm listening." "I shouldn't have chosen that song earlier. I'm sorry." He knew Brenda had been the one to request the song. Yasmin wouldn't have done something so petty. But she was covering for Brenda, so Caleb let it slide. He didn't care about the song. "What I don't understand is why you refuse to get divorced," Yasmin pressed. Caleb leaned back slightly, his handsome features partly hidden in the shadows as he answered, "I just hate unnecessary trouble." Yasmin understood immediately. He wasn't opposed to divorcing her. In fact, he couldn't wait to! But her presence as his wife didn't interfere with his affection for Veronica. And at night, she was conveniently available for him. Divorcing her was just an inconvenience—one he didn't see the need to deal with yet. How ridiculous! Yasmin inhaled sharply. "Let Jeremy go. Name your price—anything but forgoing the divorce." She couldn't bear to stay married to a man who loved another woman for even another second. Caleb's gaze was icy as he scrutinized her. "What do you have to offer me?" Money? Talent? Connections? He already had everything. "It'd be insincere of me to limit your options." Yasmin smiled faintly. "As long as it's not illegal, whatever you want, I'll give it to you." Caleb's expression didn't change as he slowly asked, "What if I want you to be my mistress?" Yasmin's smile froze. All her composure and confidence from earlier vanished without a trace. "We're married! What mistress?" she retorted instinctively, avoiding his gaze. Caleb took a step back, leaning lazily against the armrest of the couch. "After the divorce, you won't be anymore." "Caleb Grant, are you humiliating me on purpose?" "I'm just stating facts." "How long?" Yasmin forced herself to remain calm. "It can't be forever. Jeremy isn't worth my entire life. I still plan to remarry." She tried to keep it light, treating it like a negotiation. "Who? That 'new love' of yours?" Caleb's fingers traced her cheek lightly, his voice laced with mockery. "Would he still want you after knowing you're my mistress?" Yasmin's expression froze at the blatant humiliation. "That's none of your business!" Caleb crossed his arms, watching her patiently. The hunter always held the initiative, after all. A long silence stretched between them. Finally, Yasmin took a deep breath like she was making the hardest decision of her life. "Fine… I agree. I'll be your mistress." "So, you'd rather be a mistress than be my lawful wife?" Caleb thought to himself and let out a chuckle. However, his elegant chuckle carried with it a blatant mockery. He stood up, gripped her chin, and forced her to look at him. "Do you even know what being a mistress means?" His eyes no longer carried any warmth—just a deep, unreadable abyss. "Didn't you say I wasn't good enough in bed? Why would you agree to this?" Yasmin's breath hitched, and she instantly started panicking. "H-How did you… Who told you?" She had only ever said that to Veronica. Did Veronica… tell him? Was she out of her mind? Still furious, Caleb ignored her question and continued mercilessly, "No status, no title. You're to be available at my request to please me however I want." With every word, Yasmin's expression cracked further, her defenses replaced by anger and disbelief. Caleb gave a faint smile as if to remind her this was what humiliation looked like. He didn't care about her. The only thing he valued was the novelty of her body and nothing more. Suddenly, the crisp sound of Yasmin's palm meeting Caleb's face echoed in the silence. "Caleb, you're disgusting!" His head barely tilted from the impact. He wiped his thumb across his lips, but there was no blood. Then, he looked at her. Yasmin felt like prey being watched by a predator, but she refused to back down and met his gaze. She had known Caleb for over a decade. No one had ever dared to slap him before. She was the first. Caleb raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue. "Minnie, with a temper like that, do you think you'll make a good mistress?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked out of the room. She understood the message loud and clear—there were plenty of women willing to be his mistress. She was too much trouble for him to be interested. She had failed. And now… what would happen to Edith?