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  TWO SISTERS

  by

  LEEN ELLE

  Two Sisters

  This Novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events or locations is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2013 by Leen Elle

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1: Teetering

  Chapter 2: Heartless

  Chapter 3: Reunion

  Chapter 4: The Plan

  Chapter 5: The Switch

  Chapter 6: Takeover

  Chapter 7: Sanctuary

  Chapter 8: Evidence

  Chapter 9: Scraps

  Chapter 10: Kendra

  Chapter 11: Forest Cabin

  Chapter 12: Heated Caribbean

  Chapter 13: The Truth

  Chapter 14: Fading

  Chapter 15: Good-bye

  Chapter 16: Jane

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1: Teetering

  Jasmine

  I combed Jade's red hair and got rid of the knots before starting to braid her hair back. Jade fiddled idly with the brush as my fingers worked on her hair. She had asked me to do her hair the minute I had come through the door. It had been a long day at work, and I really wasn't looking forward to Aaron coming home; if he came home that is. My life was a prison in this forsaken house, being surrounded by expensive furniture, marble floors, pricy paintings, and rare vases. I never really liked living in a house like this, with Aaron buying every little thing he sees in a catalogue.

  "There you go, love." I told Jade. She ran one hand down her braid and grinned. She quickly said thanks and sprinted upstairs to her room. I sighed; Jade was the only reason I was still here. I would have been gone a long time ago, but I'm scared to think of what Aaron would do if he found out I was trying to take Jade away. I took off my wedding ring and tossed it into the ash tray, right next to Aaron's.

  "Mrs. Hale, do you have anything else you would like me to do?" Anna, our housekeeper, asked as I was heading for my room.

  "No, Anna, you're dismissed." I made my way to my bedroom and headed for the bathroom. I turned the hot water on and waited for the bathtub to fill. I looked up into the mirror and saw my tired reflection. I released my red hair from its messy ponytail and watched it fall down beyond my shoulders. I seemed more pale than usual, but my olive colored eyes were still large and bright. I always did this, stare myself in the mirror, expecting to see myself age any minute. No matter how much stress I go, through, I still appear the same; same twenty-seven year old Jasmine Hale.

  I knew my life would have been different if I hadn't met Aaron; happier even. It was high school, I had just moved to Minnesota from Michigan in order to be separated from Jennifer. It had been harsh that year, that accident that changed our lives, but none the way mine did with Aaron. He lured me in with his playful smile and fiery green eyes. His voice coaxed me into trusting him, letting him fill my head with sweet words of love. I was sixteen, clueless, and naïve. I guess he thought it would be fun to win over the bashful, quiet girl. I was just going to be another page of his book full of affairs, but he didn't expect me to become pregnant; nor did I.

  Aaron was a senior at the time, and he really wasn't planning on having a baby anytime soon; especially not with me. What could I do? My father went on a rampage when he found out and Aaron's father wasn't too happy either. I was shunned by my father, and I had to miss school in order to have the baby. However, once I gave birth and recovered, my mother pulled all the strings she could to get me back into school; making me take classes during the summer in order to catch up. My father never truly forgave me for what I did with Aaron, but he provided for me to go to college; I think he felt obligated to help me out. As for Aaron, he gave my father his word that he will take full responsibility and marry me when the time was appropriate enough.

  So I went to college and married Aaron at twenty-one. After concluding my studies, I studied for four years in veterinary school; training to become a veterinarian. Aaron became an orthodontist and I was glad he managed to buy our house while I was still in school. After graduating, I spent a year working at the animal clinic. I loved Aaron, so I thought I had everything; I thought I was happy, even if we did have a rough start. Where did it go wrong?

  The first three years were like a dream. He would bring flowers, take me out to eat, bought me gifts, and everything in between. Jade was his whole world, he loved her so much; everything was perfect. I don't quite remember when Aaron started to change, but it took me by surprise, no doubt. He started being cold to me and got angry a lot more. He would lash out at me with hurtful words and trample on whatever dignity I had left. I tried hard to hold on to my Aaron, but it all fell apart during that fight two and a half years ago. I remember it clearly, the look on his face when he came home. He started yelling, just out of the blue; I was so shocked. I had asked him what was wrong, did something happen? Then he blamed me, told me it was my fault that his life was so miserable; he said the only reason why he agreed to marry me was because of the baby. He never loved me, he never even wanted me. What we had in high school was a fling, but that blew up in his face whenever I came out pregnant.

  I was crushed, and I distinctly remember Jade crying, she was eight at the time. It was as if he shattered my heart to pieces, stepping on them to make sure they were well destroyed. Ever since then I kept my distance, not getting too attached. Our relationship was a cool one, our family torn in two. I know he found company in the arms of other women, but by then I no longer cared. It still filled me with indignation, being the talk of the whole neighborhood, but I held my head high.

  We even sleep in different rooms now, and I wonder why we've kept this going for so long, but I know. Our families would have a riot, that's why. Aaron won't hear the end of his father. It really doesn't matter though, I'm sure Aaron will file for divorce sooner or later; he'll probably be eager to catch up on that bachelor life he was forced to give up. I can hear my father even now.

  "I told you he was no good! Why don't you ever listen you stupid creature!" Something along those lines. Now my life was teetering on the edge of destruction; if Aaron decides on a divorce, I know well he will try everything to leave me with nothing. Jade was my everything, and I fear he will aim for her first.

  * * *

  My fears have been confirmed. I don't know what I'm going to do. We stood in Aaron's office and he was giving me a cold stare. I blinked a few times, trying to piece together the words in my head.

  "Like I said, I want a divorce. I'm sure you saw it coming, I can hardly imagine why I even bothered to wait so long. My lawyer said in two months, but if we're lucky, hopefully sooner; I don't want you in my house anymore, you're a pest." He said acidly. I didn't care about that part; I would have my bags packed in minutes, but…

  "I'm going to fight for Jade; I want full custody. You can try to fight back, but I promise you that you will be on the loser's end." He pointedly said. I staggered out of the office. I knew it, I knew Aaron was going to try to take Jade from me. I shut myself in my room and buried my face in my hands. Jade, what will I do without Jade? I can't go against Aaron, I'm not a fighter. If I try to oppose him, he'll stomp on me before we even reach the court.

  I can't do this alone, I need help. I need someone, but who? I stared at floor for a couple of minutes, but only one person floated to mind. I haven't spoken to her in years, but my mother informed me that she had moved to a town over she even gave me her num
ber, but she never told me why, though. How would my sister help me? Will Jennifer even want to help me? After all the things that have happened between us, could she really? I bit my lip, hesitating to get my cell phone. Jade was on the line, though, I couldn't loose my little girl.

  Tears obscured my view, making me fumble with the buttons as I dialed her number.

  "Hello?" Came a voice that sounded extremely like my own, but bitter.

  "Jennifer?" I choked.

  She took a while to answer. "Jasmine?" I broke down crying.

  Chapter 2: Heartless

  Jennifer

  Blood. It was the first thing that my eyes locked on when Jaime entered the room. He stared at his small hand, not sure if to cry or panic. His little hand clenched and he winced. Blood dripped from his fingers and he opened them again, revealing a cut on his palm.

  "Damn it, Jaime, your father will have a fit." I sighed, getting a small towel from the bathroom and some rubbing alcohol.

  "Sorry…"He whispered.

  "How did you get cut?" I asked him, not bothering to be gentle; he needed to learn when to be careful. I couldn't afford for him to get hurt, it will mean a long day of stress for me. Why was Jaime always getting hurt?

  "I was using some scissors…" He replied quietly. Jaime was always this shy. I expected him to grow up to be a regular boy, one who ran around and broke things. Jaime is mostly in his room, cutting out pictures of heaven knows what.

  I poured rubbing alcohol on his wounded hand and he yelped; that's when the tears came.

  "Oh no you don't, this is your fault. Next time, hold the scissors right or don't use them at all." I told him firmly, bandaging the cut. Jaime was small, he almost didn't seem six. He looked nothing like me. He had soft blue eyes and black hair, his skin a sick pale. Small bruises formed beneath his little eyes; he wasn't sick, I don't know what was wrong with him.

  "Now go, I have work." I waved him off. Tear streaked, he closed the door quietly behind him. I had to edit all of the stories before the deadlines. I'm co-editor of a major magazine in the city, but all of the work takes a toll on me.

  I checked the time. I could leave for work now, Jaime would only be alone for half an hour, or until James got home. However, James would not be too happy about leaving Jaime home alone. The last I need is for James to give me a headache before heading off to work. I rubbed my eyes and sighed.

  What an idiot; I should have sent James packing a long time ago. I should have listened to Mom, getting married was a mistake. I didn't have a choice, though. After what happened back in Texas, Dad kicked me out of the house when I was sixteen. I had to go live with my aunt and uncle in Minnesota. My parents wanted me away from my sister Jasmine. Jasmine, she's the only person I ever cared about. It's stupid, they moved up here with her after a few months; I guess Mom couldn't handle the ranch anymore. Good, after all the shit they put me through, they deserve as much.

  Mom would call every now and then, but recently, I've just told her to not force her love on me; she stopped calling after that. I don't need any parents, I never needed them; Jasmine was the only one who I could trust apart from myself. College was difficult, I was running out of money. That's when I met James Miles. He was going to major in English, History, Anatomy, and get his teacher's certification. I was on my way to become a journalist. I wasn't interested in James, with is black hair, blue eye, and glasses that were always askew.

  I'm not one who really cares. People have one word to describe a person like me: heartless. So I took advantage of James' blinding love for me, and married him for his money, because he had a lot of it; well, his parents did at least. He helped pay for my college, and I married him. I was going to leave him when I was finished with college, maybe take half of what was mine, but something happened. The brat. I got knocked up and got landed with Jaime; a major set back in my plans.

  Now, I'm stuck here with a family I don't even want, regretting everything, but not feeling sorry for hurting the people along the way. Over the years, the blindfold finally fell from James' eyes and saw me for what I really was. Good, now I can stop pretending to love him. I can't love, there's no room in my heart for something so useless. I hold a great affection for my twin, Jasmine, but I haven't heard of her in years. I can't love James and I can't love Jaime because he was too much like his father.

  To top things off, James had to be all noble and refuse his parents' money when he finished college. He bought a small house in an annoying neighborhood. I was hoping for something more. I knew I couldn't expect much from him. We still had to share the same room; both of us refuse to leave.

  Is that the front door?

  Wow, James is home early; he usually stays at school a bit longer. I continue to mark things off with my pen. I look at the clock; finally, time for me to go. I gathered the papers and my laptop. I quickly showered, changed, and left the room.

  I found James going over student papers on the kitchen counter. We don't bother to acknowledge each other. It was going smoothly until Jaime rand down the stairs; coming to greet his father no doubt. He skidded to a halt when he saw the both of us there. I glared at him. He tried to leave unnoticed, but James saw him.

  "Jaime? What on earth happened to your hand?" He asked, getting up with concern. Damn.

  "An accident…"Jaime said softly. James took his small hand carefully; he then turned to me, coldly.

  "Weren't you watching him?"

  "I was working, he isn't stupid, James. He knows well what he's doing." I shot at him.

  "Obviously not everything, look at his hand." He said angrily.

  "That's not my problem." I said, getting my car keys. God I can't stand this.

  "You're his mother!" He cried. Jaime shrank back.

  "I never wanted to be!" I yelled and slammed the door behind me.

  * * *

  It was late and I was already in a bad mood from earlier today. At least I was able to finish editing the damn stories.

  My cell phone rang. Unknown number.

  "Hello?" I answered bitterly.

  "Jennifer?" A soft, weak voice called out. I froze in my seat. That voice, I haven't heard her voice in over eleven years. Emotions like sadness, frustration, relief, and joy mixed together in a jumble. However, one stood out above the rest.

  Confusion.

  "Jasmine?" I asked. She began to sob. Sudden hate and anger rose high in my chest. Who or what the hell has been messing with my sister?

  Chapter 3: Reunion

  Jasmine

  My sister was trying to calm me down over the phone. I made sure the door to my room was locked and sat on my bed. I tried to wipe my tears away, but they were immediately replaced by fresh ones. The mere thought of losing my daughter just tore at me.

  "I'm sorry…" I sniffed.

  "What the hell happened?" She asked. How long has it been since I've last heard her voice? I guess I hadn't seen her since that day Dad sent her away. A few months after that I moved to Michigan with my grandparents while my parents took care of some business down in Texas. They later joined me and we moved to Minnesota, right close to where Jennifer lived. I don't know, but I had a vague feeling that my parents wanted to be close to her somehow.

  When we were small girls, boys would always pick on me when we used to live on the ranch; Jennifer, however, always defended me. She always looked after me, so it was only natural that I called, even though I haven't kept in touch with her before for years.

  "I don't know what to do, Jennifer. I don't know how to defend myself." I said softly.

  "Listen, I'm confused, so let's start from the top." She said firmly. I quickly cleared my head.

  "Did Mom ever keep in touch with you?" I asked; this was a very touchy subject for the both of us.

  "Yeah, until recently. What of it?" She asked warily.

  "Has she ever told you that I got married?" I asked.

  "Yeah, with this guy Aaron. I remember arguing with her about you getting married too early. I told Dad h
e was being an idiot so he hung up; I haven't heard from you since then. She did tell me about my niece, Janice?"

  "Jade." I corrected. I smiled faintly, hearing my sister was a relief.

  "Oh, sorry." She said, not sounding sorry at all.

  "Well, things aren't going well with my marriage; in fact, it's a disaster." I sighed.

  "He hits you?!"

  "No! Jennifer, don't assume anything yet!"

  "I'm sorry, but you sound like hell. How can anyone make you that miserable and not hit you?" She asked.

  I rubbed my eyes." He doesn't hit me, but Aaron knows what to do to knock me down." I told her weakly.

  There was a sharp intake of breath. "What has that bastard done? Jasmine what did he do? I swear I will beat his head in with-"

  "Nothing, nothing yet." I told her. "He asked for a divorce, but that's the minor issue." I explained.