Chapter 22
My heart cracked, but this time, I didn’t scream. I didn’t break anything. I didn’t even cry- not right away. I just… moved. I packed my things with trembling hands. I left the bracelet Rozen had given me on the nightstand, knowing full well it had a tracker. I couldn’t let him find me, not yet. Not until I could breathe again. Not until I knew what was real and what was just another mask he wore.
I called Alice.
“Jasmine?” Her voice was sleepy, but it was enough to break the walls I tried to hold up. “Can I stay with you?” My voice cracked.
She didn’t ask questions. “Of course. Come now. I’ll wait for you.”
The drive to Alice’s apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the time I arrived, my chest was aching, my eyes swollen. She hugged me tightly the second I stepped through the door.
“I thought he was different,” I whispered, my voice a shattered thing. “I thought this time it was real.”
Alice helped me to the couch, wrapped me in a warm blanket, and sat beside me. “Tell me everything.”
I did. I told her about the message, about Mina’s visit, about the photo, and how Rozen never mentioned anything. How he told me he loved me. How he promised to change. How we were finally okay. And how all of it felt like a lie now.
“I can’t do this again, Alice,” I sobbed into her lap. “I can’t go through this again.”
She stroked my hair gently. “Maybe there’s an explanation–maybe that photo was old, or maybe he was forced-”
“No,” I cut her off, curling tighter into myself. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise. I’m tired, Alice. I’m tired of believing only to be shattered again.”
“It’s not good for the baby to be this stressed,” she whispered.
I touched my stomach instinctively. The one good thing out of this nightmare. The only innocent piece of me and Rozen left. I couldn’t let this destroy me. I had to protect my child -even if it meant walking away from everything.
Alice tucked me into her guest bed and stayed with me until I fell asleep. But even in sleep, the pain didn’t leave. It crept into my dreams. Haunting, lingering.
When I woke up, the sun was streaming through the windows. For a second, I forgot everything–until I reached for my phone and saw it flooded with messages from Rozen. Where are you?
Jasmine, please come home.
Talk to me.
Chant M
* 59%
19:31 Fri, 18 Apr.
I’m sorry if I did something wrong.
Please, I’m losing my mind.
Over a dozen missed calls. Dozens of messages. But none of them mentioned Mina. None of them explained the photo. Not even a whisper of truth.
And I realized–he wasn’t going to tell me. He wasn’t going to come clean. He was going to pretend like nothing happened again. Like I was just overthinking, too emotional.
I sat there staring at the screen, my chest a dull throb, my hand resting on my stomach. Then, without hesitating, I typed my reply.
I don’t want this anymore. Let’s end this.
I hit send. Blocked his number. Deleted the thread.
No confrontation. No long goodbye. Just silence.
It was better this way.
I couldn’t survive another betrayal. And I wouldn’t let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didn’t deserve me. I was done.
Alice brought me breakfast, but I had no appetite. I lay on the couch, numb, watching the ceiling, thinking about how love had always betrayed me. Thomas. Scott. And now Rozen. All of them with their lies and masks and temporary affections.
But it was over now.
Until…
Alice came rushing into the room, phone in hand. “Jasmine–you need to see this.”
I took the phone from her, confused. The screen displayed a news article. The headline made my heart stop.
Billionaire Rozen Blackwood offers reward for wife’s whereabouts: “Bring her home to me.” There was even a video clip embedded.
Rozen stood at a press conference, disheveled but determined. Cameras flashed in his face, but his expression didn’t waver. He looked straight into the lens.
“If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood, please contact me directly. I’m offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife. She’s not missing–she left–but I can’t lose her. She’s the love of my life, and I will do anything, absolutely anything, to make things right.”
Reporters were yelling questions. Some asked if this was a publicity stunt. Others demanded to know what happened between them.
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
My Husband in P.
19:31
Fri, 18 Apr
59%
Chapter 22
My heart cracked, but this time, I didn’t scream. I didn’t break anything. I didn’t even cry- not right away. I just… moved. I packed my things with trembling hands. I left the bracelet Rozen had given me on the nightstand, knowing full well it had a tracker. I couldn’t let him find me, not yet. Not until I could breathe again. Not until I knew what was real and what was just another mask he wore.
I called Alice.
“Jasmine?” Her voice was sleepy, but it was enough to break the walls I tried to hold up. “Can I stay with you?” My voice cracked.
She didn’t ask questions. “Of course. Come now. I’ll wait for you.”
The drive to Alice’s apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the time I arrived, my chest was aching, my eyes swollen. She hugged me tightly the second I stepped through the door.
“I thought he was different,” I whispered, my voice a shattered thing. “I thought this time it was real.”
Alice helped me to the couch, wrapped me in a warm blanket, and sat beside me. “Tell me everything.”
I did. I told her about the message, about Mina’s visit, about the photo, and how Rozen never mentioned anything. How he told me he loved me. How he promised to change. How we were finally okay. And how all of it felt like a lie now.
“I can’t do this again, Alice,” I sobbed into her lap. “I can’t go through this again.”
She stroked my hair gently. “Maybe there’s an explanation–maybe that photo was old, or maybe he was forced-”
“No,” I cut her off, curling tighter into myself. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise. I’m tired, Alice. I’m tired of believing only to be shattered again.”
“It’s not good for the baby to be this stressed,” she whispered.
I touched my stomach instinctively. The one good thing out of this nightmare. The only innocent piece of me and Rozen left. I couldn’t let this destroy me. I had to protect my child -even if it meant walking away from everything.
Alice tucked me into her guest bed and stayed with me until I fell asleep. But even in sleep, the pain didn’t leave. It crept into my dreams. Haunting, lingering.
When I woke up, the sun was streaming through the windows. For a second, I forgot everything–until I reached for my phone and saw it flooded with messages from Rozen. Where are you?
Jasmine, please come home.
Talk to me.
Chapter 21
19:31
Fri, 18 Apr
རེ་ 59%
I’m sorry if I did something wrong.
Please, I’m losing my mind.
Over a dozen missed calls. Dozens of messages. But none of them mentioned Mina. None of them explained the photo. Not even a whisper of truth.
And I realized–he wasn’t going to tell me. He wasn’t going to come clean. He was going to pretend like nothing happened again. Like I was just overthinking, too emotional.
I sat there staring at the screen, my chest a dull throb, my hand resting on my stomach. Then, without hesitating, I typed my reply.
I don’t want this anymore. Let’s end this.
I hit send. Blocked his number. Deleted the thread.
No confrontation. No long goodbye. Just silence.
It was better this way.
I couldn’t survive another betrayal. And I wouldn’t let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didn’t deserve me. I was done.
Alice brought me breakfast, but I had no appetite. I lay on the couch, numb, watching the ceiling, thinking about how love had always betrayed me. Thomas. Scott. And now Rozen. All of them with their lies and masks and temporary affections.
But it was over now.
Until…
Alice came rushing into the room, phone in hand. “Jasmine–you need to see this.”
I took the phone from her, confused. The screen displayed a news article. The headline made my heart stop.
Billionaire Rozen Blackwood offers reward for wife’s whereabouts: “Bring her home to me.” There was even a video clip embedded.
Rozen stood at a press conference, disheveled but determined. Cameras flashed in his face, but his expression didn’t waver. He looked straight into the lens.
“If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood, please contact me directly. I’m offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife. She’s not missing–she left–but I can’t lose her. She’s the love of my life, and I will do anything, absolutely anything, to make things right.”
Reporters were yelling questions. Some asked if this was a publicity stunt. Others demanded to know what happened between them.
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
My Husband is a Fake One
19:31 Fri, 18 Apr
Chapter 22
59%
My heart cracked, but this time, I didn’t scream. I didn’t break anything. I didn’t even cry- not right away. I just… moved. I packed my things with trembling hands. I left the bracelet Rozen had given me on the nightstand, knowing full well it had a tracker. I couldn’t let him find me, not yet. Not until I could breathe again. Not until I knew what was real and what was just another mask he wore.
I called Alice.
“Jasmine?” Her voice was sleepy, but it was enough to break the walls I tried to hold up. “Can I stay with you?” My voice cracked.
She didn’t ask questions. “Of course. Come now. I’ll wait for you.”
The drive to Alice’s apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the time I arrived, my chest was aching, my eyes swollen. She hugged me tightly the second I stepped through the door.
“I thought he was different,” I whispered, my voice a shattered thing. “I thought this time it was real.”
Alice helped me to the couch, wrapped me in a warm blanket, and sat beside me. “Tell me everything.”
I did. I told her about the message, about Mina’s visit, about the photo, and how Rozen never mentioned anything. How he told me he loved me. How he promised to change. How we were finally okay. And how all of it felt like a lie now.
“I can’t do this again, Alice,” I sobbed into her lap. “I can’t go through this again.”
She stroked my hair gently. “Maybe there’s an explanation–maybe that photo was old, or maybe he was forced-”
“No,” I cut her off, curling tighter into myself. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise. I’m tired, Alice. I’m tired of believing only to be shattered again.”
“It’s not good for the baby to be this stressed,” she whispered.
I touched my stomach instinctively. The one good thing out of this nightmare. The only innocent piece of me and Rozen left. I couldn’t let this destroy me. I had to protect my child -even if it meant walking away from everything.
Alice tucked me into her guest bed and stayed with me until I fell asleep. But even in sleep, the pain didn’t leave. It crept into my dreams. Haunting, lingering.
When I woke up, the sun was streaming through the windows. For a second, I forgot everything–until I reached for my phone and saw it flooded with messages from Rozen. Where are you?
Jasmine, please come home.
Talk to me.
1931 Fr, To Apr
I’m sorry if I did something wrong.
Please, I’m losing my mind.
59% 1
Over a dozen missed calls. Dozens of messages. But none of them mentioned Mina. None of them explained the photo. Not even a whisper of truth.
And I realized–he wasn’t going to tell me. He wasn’t going to come clean. He was going to pretend like nothing happened again. Like I was just overthinking, too emotional.
I sat there staring at the screen, my chest a dull throb, my hand resting on my stomach. Then, without hesitating, I typed my reply.
I don’t want this anymore. Let’s end this.
I hit send. Blocked his number. Deleted the thread.
No confrontation. No long goodbye. Just silence.
It was better this way.
I couldn’t survive another betrayal. And I wouldn’t let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didn’t deserve me. I was done.
Alice brought me breakfast, but I had no appetite. I lay on the couch, numb, watching the ceiling, thinking about how love had always betrayed me. Thomas. Scott. And now Rozen. All of them with their lies and masks and temporary affections.
But it was over now.
Until…
Alice came rushing into the room, phone in hand. “Jasmine–you need to see this.”
I took the phone from her, confused. The screen displayed a news article. The headline made my heart stop.
Billionaire Rozen Blackwood offers reward for wife’s whereabouts: “Bring her home to me.” There was even a video clip embedded.
Rozen stood at a press conference, disheveled but determined. Cameras flashed in his face, but his expression didn’t waver. He looked straight into the lens.
“If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood, please contact me directly. I’m offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife. She’s not missing–she left–but I can’t lose her. She’s the love of my life, and I will do anything, absolutely anything, to make things right.”
Reporters were yelling questions. Some asked if this was a publicity stunt. Others demanded to know what happened between them.
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
་
Chapter 22
demanded to know what happened between ɩnem.
59%
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
still wanted to believe him.
But was that part strong enough to survive this again?
I didn’t know.
Not yet.
And so I didn’t say anything.
I just wrapped my arms around my stomach, felt the soft pulse of life within me, and whispered, “We’ll be okay.”
Even if that meant never going back.
19:32 Fr, 18 Apr
Rozen’s POV
Chapter 22
59%
My heart cracked, but this time, I didn’t scream. I didn’t break anything. I didn’t even cry- not right away. I just… moved. I packed my things with trembling hands. I left the bracelet Rozen had given me on the nightstand, knowing full well it had a tracker. I couldn’t let him find me, not yet. Not until I could breathe again. Not until I knew what was real and what was just another mask he wore.
I called Alice.
“Jasmine?” Her voice was sleepy, but it was enough to break the walls I tried to hold up. “Can I stay with you?” My voice cracked.
She didn’t ask questions. “Of course. Come now. I’ll wait for you.”
The drive to Alice’s apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldn’t hold back anymore. By the time I arrived, my chest was aching, my eyes swollen. She hugged me tightly the second I stepped through the door.
“I thought he was different,” I whispered, my voice a shattered thing. “I thought this time it was real.”
Alice helped me to the couch, wrapped me in a warm blanket, and sat beside me. “Tell me everything.”
I did. I told her about the message, about Mina’s visit, about the photo, and how Rozen never mentioned anything. How he told me he loved me. How he promised to change. How we were finally okay. And how all of it felt like a lie now.
“I can’t do this again, Alice,” I sobbed into her lap. “I can’t go through this again.”
She stroked my hair gently. “Maybe there’s an explanation–maybe that photo was old, or maybe he was forced-”
“No,” I cut her off, curling tighter into myself. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise. I’m tired, Alice. I’m tired of believing only to be shattered again.”
“It’s not good for the baby to be this stressed,” she whispered.
I touched my stomach instinctively. The one good thing out of this nightmare. The only innocent piece of me and Rozen left. I couldn’t let this destroy me. I had to protect my child -even if it meant walking away from everything.
Alice tucked me into her guest bed and stayed with me until I fell asleep. But even in sleep, the pain didn’t leave. It crept into my dreams. Haunting, lingering.
When I woke up, the sun was streaming through the windows. For a second, I forgot everything–until I reached for my phone and saw it flooded with messages from Rozen. Where are you?
Jasmine, please come home.
Talk to me.
1931 Fr, To Apr
I’m sorry if I did something wrong.
Please, I’m losing my mind.
59% 1
Over a dozen missed calls. Dozens of messages. But none of them mentioned Mina. None of them explained the photo. Not even a whisper of truth.
And I realized–he wasn’t going to tell me. He wasn’t going to come clean. He was going to pretend like nothing happened again. Like I was just overthinking, too emotional.
I sat there staring at the screen, my chest a dull throb, my hand resting on my stomach. Then, without hesitating, I typed my reply.
I don’t want this anymore. Let’s end this.
I hit send. Blocked his number. Deleted the thread.
No confrontation. No long goodbye. Just silence.
It was better this way.
I couldn’t survive another betrayal. And I wouldn’t let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didn’t deserve me. I was done.
Alice brought me breakfast, but I had no appetite. I lay on the couch, numb, watching the ceiling, thinking about how love had always betrayed me. Thomas. Scott. And now Rozen. All of them with their lies and masks and temporary affections.
But it was over now.
Until…
Alice came rushing into the room, phone in hand. “Jasmine–you need to see this.”
I took the phone from her, confused. The screen displayed a news article. The headline made my heart stop.
Billionaire Rozen Blackwood offers reward for wife’s whereabouts: “Bring her home to me.” There was even a video clip embedded.
Rozen stood at a press conference, disheveled but determined. Cameras flashed in his face, but his expression didn’t waver. He looked straight into the lens.
“If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood, please contact me directly. I’m offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife. She’s not missing–she left–but I can’t lose her. She’s the love of my life, and I will do anything, absolutely anything, to make things right.”
Reporters were yelling questions. Some asked if this was a publicity stunt. Others demanded to know what happened between them.
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
་
Chapter 22
demanded to know what happened between ɩnem.
59%
Rozen just looked heartbroken. “I made a mistake. I let fear win. But I won’t lose her again. Please, Jasmine–if you’re watching this, come home. I’ll wait. As long as it takes.”
I dropped the phone onto the couch, my hands shaking.
Alice was staring at me, wide–eyed. “Jas…”
But I didn’t know what to say. Because despite everything, despite all the pain, a part of me
still wanted to believe him.
But was that part strong enough to survive this again?
I didn’t know.
Not yet.
And so I didn’t say anything.
I just wrapped my arms around my stomach, felt the soft pulse of life within me, and whispered, “We’ll be okay.”
Even if that meant never going back.
19:32 Fr, 18 Apr
Rozen’s POV
behind. My house was cold. Empty. Quiet. A haunting silence that screamed louder than anything else.
I sat by the stairs, staring at the wall like it would give me the answers. Why didn’t I tell her Mina had returned?
Because I thought I could handle it. I thought I could end things with Mina cleanly, finally-
so Jasmine would never have to worry about her again. But that silence had become the
Chapter 23
2/3
an 7%
19:32 Fri, 18 Apr
wedge between us.
God, I was such a fool.
༣ 59%
The following days blurred into one. I didn’t eat. Barely slept. I drank–more than I should have. Every bottle emptied, every glass shattered, did nothing to erase the ache of her
absence.
I called Alice. Again. And again.
“Please,” I begged her. “I just need to see her.”
“I don’t know where she is,” Alice said, voice clipped.
“You’re lying,” I said. “Please. She’s carrying my child. She needs me.”
“No,” she said. “What she needs is peace. What she needs is someone who won’t break her the way every man before her did.”
Her words pierced deeper than knives. But I didn’t stop.
Every day, I sent flowers to her company. To Alice’s place. To every place she could possibly be. I sent letters. Voicemails. Messages through our friends.
I told her how sorry I was. How I should have told her about Mina the second she appeared. That I wasn’t hiding her–I was trying to protect Jasmine from the mess.
But I failed.
And still, I waited.
My staff searched. No one could find her.
I even bought space in every newspaper, magazine, and billboard I could get my hands on with one message:
Jasmine, please come home.
I posted a reward. I didn’t care how desperate it looked. Let the world mock me. Let them laugh at the billionaire who lost his wife. I’d give away my fortune if it meant I could hold her again.
My mansion was just a house without her.
One evening, I walked into the room that was supposed to be the nursery. I had started preparing it when I found out we were going to be parents. The crib. The soft lights. The mural of stars on the wall. She didn’t even see it.
I broke down. On the floor. On my knees.
I was ready to be a father. But I couldn’t do it without her.
I didn’t want this child to grow up in a broken home–never knowing the warmth of both parents under the same roof. I didn’t want them to inherit the trauma, the pain. I didn’t want to be like my own father–distant, cold, hollow.
I wanted Jasmine.
Then, one night, Alice finally answered my call.
I was trembling. “Please. I’m begging you.”
Chanter 23
19.04 Ги, то арг
I wanted Jasi|||||
Then, one night, Alice finally answered my call.
I was trembling. “Please. I’m begging you.”
She sighed. “She doesn’t want to see you, Rozen. She’s scared.”
“I understand. I deserve that. But… please. Let me explain. Let me fix this.”
A long silence stretched between us.
And then–finally–an address.
I almost collapsed from relief.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Alice’s voice cracked. “Don’t mess this up. She’s barely holding on.”
I didn’t waste a second. I gathered every letter I wrote, every ultrasound photo I had
secretly kept copies of, every flower she once said she liked, and I drove.
For the first time in weeks, I saw hope.
I wasn’t going to let her go.
Not now.
Not ever.
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