Chapter 5
“Who the hell are you to lay a hand on my wife?”
Rozen’s voice sliced through the chaos like a blade.
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Amber froze mid–swing, her fingers still tangled in my hair, but her face drained of color as Rozen’s grip tightened around her wrist–not enough to hurt, but enough to send a message.
“You don’t have any right to hurt her,” he said coldly, his eyes narrowed on her as if she were something filthy. “You’ve done enough.”
The entire room went silent.
Gasps echoed, and all eyes turned to us. Mother’s jaw dropped. Scott blinked like he’d seen a ghost. Even Thomas, who usually had something smug to say, stood dumbfounded. “You… wife?” my mother whispered, like the word was venom in her mouth.
“Impossible,” Amber hissed, wrenching her hand free. “She’s lying. This is just another one of her sick games!”
Rozen didn’t even look at her. He stepped closer, his hand reaching for mine. “She’s not lying. We’re getting married. Right here. Right now.”
“But… how?” Thomas muttered, eyes bouncing between me and Rozen. “How did this happen?”
My lips curled upward, slow and deliberate.
“You want to know how?” I asked, tilting my head. “Fine. I’ll tell you as if you’re not aware of it.”
I stepped forward, my voice rising so everyone could hear me. “I lost my memories in the accident, remember? Or at least… that’s what you all wanted me to believe because you, Thomas, forced me to actually drink the pills so my memory won’t return..”
The room was still. I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears.
“I thought I was broken,” I continued. “I thought I didn’t remember who I was, where I belonged. I clung to Thomas because I was told to. I believed your lies, all of them. That I was married. That I owed Amber an apology. That I was the villain.”
I turned to my mother, who looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
“You made me feel unwanted. Unlovable. Like I was a burden to you.” I took a breath. “But it was never me, was it? I was never the problem. You just couldn’t stand that I was waking up. That the truth would follow.”
“Wait–what truth?” My mother asked, pretending she wasn’t aware. As if they all didn’t betray me. But I knew better now, that is why this has to stop!
I met his eyes, unflinching. “That Amber caused the accident. That Scott was cheating on her with me. Wait, why do I need to explain? You knew everything!”
Amber screamed, “She’s lying! She’s manipulating all of you–she always has! She’s sick!”
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19:22 Fri, 18 Apr
Rozen chuckled, low and cold. “If anyone here is sick, it’s you. You put on a pretty face, Amber. But underneath it? Rot.”
“You can’t do this,” Thomas barked suddenly, stepping in front of me. “You’re married to me!”
I laughed–loud and without restraint. “No, Thomas. That’s where you’re wrong.”
From the folds of my gown, I pulled out a copy of the forged marriage license and held it up. “This? It’s fake. And you knew it. You used my memory loss to trap me in your twisted story.”
Thomas’s face went red. “No one will want to marry you. You’re damaged.”
Rozen stepped forward then, possessive and steady, slipping his hand around my waist. “Then call me a madman, because I’m marrying her right now.”
Rozen leaned down and kissed me–hard, in front of everyone.
My mother gasped. Amber screamed. Thomas swore under his breath. Scott didn’t know what to react.
And then Rozen pulled me through the chaos, his hand in mine, firm and warm. The venue staff opened the doors to the main hall. The altar was already prepared. Somehow, everything felt like a dream.
“Are you ready?” Rozen whispered as we reached the aisle.
I glanced at the stunned faces behind us. My mother, shaking her head in denial. Amber, on her knees, sobbing, her makeup running down her face. Thomas, motionless, furious. And I smiled.
“I’ve never been more ready,” I said.
The ceremony started. It was fast, like we’d rehearsed it all in a rush of adrenaline. I barely heard the officiant’s words. My mind was racing, my heart pounding. But when Rozen looked at me, his eyes steady and sure, everything quieted.
“I do,” I said, my voice strong.
“I do,” he replied without hesitation.
The cheers came too late. They sounded distant, like echoes underwater. But it didn’t matter. I was no longer Jasmine, the amnesiac girl trapped in lies and pity.
I was Mrs. Jasmine Blackwood.
And for the first time since waking up in that hospital, I felt whole.
As we turned from the altar, walking hand in hand down the aisle, I didn’t look back.
Let them drown in their chaos. This was my beginning. And I wouldn’t let anyone take it from me again.
Chapter 5
19:23 PA, 18 Apr
C
