As I reached for my proof, Bianca suddenly fell to the floor, cradling her children in her arms.
Jasper's face showed concern as he scooped her up and hurried out.
Passing by me, he glared with barely hidden fury.
"You'd better pray nothing happens to Bianca," Jasper spat.
Clutching her granddaughter in panic, Joanne hurried after them toward the hospital and did not forget to remind the doctors along the way, "Keep her under observation! That woman has no conscience."
With the main players gone, the party guests left hungry and bewildered.
Meanwhile, the police took me away for a statement. After I recounted the entire story, they released me.
Word travels fast. When Jasper found out I hadn't been detained, he called.
Over the phone, he returned to that old, gentle tone.
"Katie, I'm sorry. This is my fault. I don't want to lose you, but I have responsibilities to Bianca. We have a child together. She can't lose her reputation. How would she live afterwards?"
I laughed incredulously.
"So her reputation matters, but what about mine? Jasper, has your conscience been eaten by dogs?" I snapped.
He did not get angry.
He said calmly, "Katie, Bianca has given me more than you ever have. She did things she shouldn't have, but her circumstances trapped her. People look down on being poor, not on sex work. Can't you cut her some respect? She promised she won't take your place. You keep your chickens, I'll keep running the company, she'll raise our kid. Let's leave things as they are, alright?"
Fury surged through me like wildfire, scorching every nerve. The words 'go to hell' burned on my tongue, ready to explode, but he pressed on before I could speak.
"I heard someone plans to post this online. Bianca's a mother now. I don't want our kids growing up and discovering what kind of woman their mom used to be. So, Katie, you need to make a public apology. Say you were a prostitute, admit you lied about Bianca. You raise chickens in the mountains, so this won't destroy you. But it will destroy her. Please… I'm begging you."
I had reached the limit of what I could bear.
So, I retorted, "Not only will I never apologize, I'll make sure you and your whore get what you deserve!"
Furious, I slammed the phone down and ended the call.
I didn't expect Jasper to sneak into my social media account and post an 'apology' in my voice. He wrote that I was confessing to once being a prostitute.