Jasmine's POV
The moment Jayden spoke those words about annulling his marriage, my heart fractured into a thousand conflicting pieces.
Joy surged through me like wildfire, but beneath it lurked a cold dread that made my stomach clench. I wanted nothing more than to be his, yet the brutal reality crashed down like a tidal wave. Everything I had carefully constructed in the human world would crumble to dust. My career, my independence, the life I had fought tooth and nail to build from nothing.
The weight of that sacrifice pressed against my chest until I could barely breathe.
But that wasn't even the worst part. In this kingdom, I was nothing more than a nightmare made flesh. The very people Jayden ruled looked at me with pure terror and loathing. They whispered my name like a curse, crossed themselves when I passed by.
When Jayden made his announcement public, their hatred would find a target. Me. The monster who destroyed their beloved prince's perfect marriage.
