Jasmine’s mindset in beginning of book PT 3

Despite his threats and cruel words, she played her role and stood by his side and did her best to guide him through the social minefield at the Trentham Ball. But, by the end of the night, he realized what everyone else already did—that she was the defective Hennessy.  I gave you too much credit, believing you could play this role as well as your sisters. It’s no wonder Maximus didn’t bring you to many events. You’re a loose cannon.

She sacrificed everything for the same man twice. A man who never proclaimed to love her. A man who saw her as an itch he wanted to work out of his system. A man who was hellbent that they part once their agreement was fulfilled. A man who cared for her wouldn’t be so eager to be rid of her, but Roth never allowed her to forget their deal had a deadline.

She’d always used hope as a buffer against reality, but Warren smashed it to bits, leaving her with nothing to protect her from the cold, bitter truth. She was still that little girl begging to be loved but no one ever had. Not her father, mother, or the man she’d married twice.

“Princess.”

She flinched. His nickname for her seemed like a cruel joke. The daughter of a whore could never be a princess. He knew that. Had he been mocking her from the start?

“Talk to me,” he murmured.

 No way in hell. Hand more ammunition to the man who had an arsenal of damning information about her family at his disposal? She, more than anyone else, knew how ruthless he was. How cunning. He had her family, business rivals, and countless others under surveillance. Over the years, he kept track of their whereabouts, habits, associates, weaknesses, and secrets. Thankfully, her family had cooperated and entered into an alliance without much fuss. If they hadn’t, Roth would blackmail them into doing what he wished. She wouldn’t give him another weapon to use against her sister. Colette had suffered enough at the hands of powerful men like him.

There was a soft brush of air as he squatted in front of her. “Jasmine.”

When his hand settled on her leg, her entire body recoiled. She flung his hand away as if it was a poisonous snake, tossed her legs to the side, and drew back as far as possible in her seat to put distance between them.

“Don’t touch me!” she said sharply, her voice thick with revulsion.

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Sins. Please do not share or distribute.

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