Chapter 16: Caught in the Act

The hours ticked by at a glacial pace, and Jasmine grew tired of sitting in the same room, staring at the same four walls. She got up to leave, determined to explore her surroundings, but this time she was careful at the door. She listened intently for any sounds that might indicate the presence of guards or other obstacles, and when she was satisfied that it was safe, she slowly turned the handle and slipped out into the hallway. The corridor was empty, and Jasmine made her way to the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea where she was going, but she was determined to find out. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she spotted a door that led outside, and her curiosity got the better of her. She pushed the door open and stepped out into the garden, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. The garden was beautiful, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers that seemed to dance in the breeze. Jasmine wandered through the paths, taking in the scenery and feeling a sense of freedom that she hadn't experienced in hours. Time flew as she explored, and she didn't even notice the passage of time. But as she rounded a corner, she saw Hailey's car pulling up to the entrance of the garden. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she had been caught out. She quickly turned and rushed back to the room, her heart racing with anxiety. She barely made it back to the room before Hailey walked in, a smile on her face. "So, how was your day?" Hailey asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as if she knew that Jasmine had been out and about. Jasmine tried to play it cool, but she could feel her face growing hot. "I was just inside all day," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. Hailey raised an eyebrow. "Really, because my guard says otherwise," she said, her voice dripping with skepticism. Jasmine's heart began to panic as she realized she had been caught. She tried to think of an excuse, but her mind was a blank. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead as she met Hailey's gaze, her eyes searching for a way out of this situation. But Hailey's expression was unreadable, and Jasmine had no idea what to expect.