Summary: Jasmine Hale is going through many hardships in her marriage, however, she copes by keeping a cool relationship with her husband. Things are rather calm, until Aaron Hale threatens to kick her out of their home and strip her from their daughter, Jade. Panicked at losing her child, Jasmine turns to her sister, Jennifer Miles, for help in ways to put a stop to Aaron before it's too late; never did Jasmine think that Jennifer would take her place and bring Aaron down with every bit of power that she has.

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 number, 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.