Page 44 of Sheltering You

The only exception came on the day her father told her she was to marry Khalid.

Even though Baba had promised both her and her mother that he would never force her to marry.

Even though he had sworn he’d never allow her to be any man’s second wife.

Even though he’d vowed not to give her to a man who was so old that he would leave her a young widow.

Jasmine had trusted her father. She’d trusted him enough that her words came out before she gave them thought.

“But Baba, you promised…”

When his palm struck her cheek, she’d stumbled, slammed her head against the wall, and crumpled to the cold stone floor.

The sting had been shocking, but her father’s betrayal had been far, far worse.

Seeing the hurt in Derrick’s expression now, Jasmine longed for the sting she’d felt that day. She deserved no better than to be crumpled in the corner. She was a betrayer and a manipulator. That she hadn’t understood his feelings before was irrelevant. She should have. She should never have asked him to help her.

Not that she’d had any choice. That was the life of a slave, wasn’t it? All unmet needs, no choices. All pain, no relief. All suffering, no love.

But she had Christ. Her hope was in Him.

Jesus hadn’t come down and offered a divine jet to fly her to DC. He hadn’t gone into the hotel to get Basma and Rabie away. Jasmine had needed Derrick.

She’d used Derrick.

The only way forward now was to tell Derrick the truth—or enough of it to put an end to whatever misguided feelings he held for her.

Even if the thought made her eyes sting, made her want to shrivel up and disappear.

Because she could love him. She could love Derrick, if only Baba had kept his word. If only Khalid hadn’t chosen her. If only…if only she were not who she was.

Derrick turned his attention to the blank TV screen.

She slid back into the chair and prayed God would help her show him the truth. And protect his heart.

“It makes sense, of course,” she said.

He faced her. “What does?”

“The fact that I’ve had so few friends.”

He broke their eye contact again. “You’re shy. I’m guessing your sister took the lead when you were kids. It’s probably hard for you to make friends.”

“She is the…worthy sister.”

“What are you talking about?” He barked the words, then shook his head. “Sorry.”

Even in anger, he was kind.

“After Leila escaped when she was eighteen, Mama got sick. I was busy taking care of her. I think that if Leila had been there…” No, she should not say that. “It was good Leila left.”

Derrick’s anger seemed to seep away. He faced her, his head tilting to the side. “If Leila had been there, what?”

Jasmine shrugged. “You know how you know something here”—she tapped her head—“but not here?” She tapped her chest.

“Yeah.”

“It is like that. I know that Mama had cancer, and I know the cancer took her, but even so, I feel like she would have survived if Leila had been there.”