Chapter 24
The days blurred into a haze of tears, silence, and unanswered questions. I stayed at Alice’s quaint little townhouse on the outskirts of the city, far from the life I had once known. A life that seemed so perfect. A lie I so desperately wanted to believe.
Rozen’s messages came like clockwork–morning, noon, and night. I read every word with shaking hands, but I never responded. What was the point of hearing more promises, more reassurances? I had trusted once. Twice. And every time, I was left bleeding.
He didn’t deserve a reply.
“Are you sure you don’t want to block his number?” Alice asked one evening, placing a cup of chamomile tea in front of me.
I shook my head. “No. I want to see him suffer.”
She didn’t reply to that. She just sat beside me on the couch, gently brushing her hand over mine as if anchoring me to reality.
The days passed. I busied myself with small tasks–organizing things in the guest room, reading to the baby growing inside me, pretending I was okay. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw Rozen’s face. Every time I turned my phone screen on, his name was there. Waiting.
I had told Alice not to tell him where I was. I made her promise.
And she kept it.
Until one night, I came back from a short walk to find Rozen standing in the living room. I froze.
Alice stood to the side, guilt painted across her face. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I know you didn’t want this, but… maybe it’s better to stop running.”
Then she walked out, closing the door behind her.
I couldn’t breathe. Rozen didn’t move. He looked exhausted–his eyes bloodshot, cheeks hollow, his jaw covered in rough stubble. He looked like a man who hadn’t slept in days.
“I just wanted to see you,” he whispered. “To know you’re okay.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I know. But please… listen to me. Just this once.”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t move. He stepped closer, hesitant, as if one wrong word would make me disappear.
“I didn’t kiss her,” he began. “Mina. She ambushed me. I met her because I wanted to end it, make everything clear–so she wouldn’t cause trouble for us anymore. I didn’t expect she’d do that, much less have someone take that photo.”
I stayed silent.
He continued, his voice cracking. “That message you saw… I didn’t even know she sent it. I didn’t reply. I never planned on seeing her again. But I should’ve told you about it. I
should’ve come clean the second it happened Liust-” He took a shaky breath “I was
Chapter 24
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19:32 Fri, 18 Apr
known what that would do to me, Rozen. I’m pregnant, and I found out the father of my child might still be in love with someone else.”
“No,” he whispered, stepping closer. “No. That’s not true. It’s you. It’s always been you.”
My eyes burned, tears threatening to fall. “Then why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me go on thinking the worst?”
“I thought I could handle it on my own. That it wouldn’t affect us. But I was wrong,” he admitted, his hands trembling at his sides. “I messed up, Jasmine. I ruined everything.”
My voice cracked as the tears fell. “You don’t know what it’s like… to be betrayed over and over again. To keep believing in people who swear they love you, only to find out you were never enough. I was scared, Rozen. I’m still scared.”
He stepped forward and dropped to his knees in front of me.
“I know I don’t deserve you. But I love you. I love this baby. I love our family. And I will do everything–anything–to prove that to you. Just tell me what you need from me. Please.”
I looked down at him, his face pressed against my growing stomach, arms wrapped around me as if he could anchor me in place with the weight of his regret.
“Give me proof,” I whispered. “Give me every message. Every call. Show me you didn’t betray me. And swear to me that it’s over.”
He looked up, eyes glassy but determined. “I’ll show you everything. You can check my phone, my emails–whatever you need. I’ll do it.”
I took a deep breath, one hand resting protectively over my stomach. “Don’t hurt me, Rozen. Please. I can’t take it. I can’t raise this child in a home where I have to doubt every word you say.”
“I won’t,” he said. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again–not even myself. Just don’t shut me out. Talk to me. If you’re scared, tell me. If you’re hurting, let me help. I don’t want to be like them. I want to be better.”
I nodded slowly, tears falling freely now. “I’m sorry for running.”
He rose to his feet and pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. “And I’m sorry for giving you a reason to.”
For a long while, we stood there–just the two of us, wrapped in the pain and the beginning of healing.
Maybe it wouldn’t be easy. Maybe there would be days when I would still question, still fear. But in that moment, I knew I had a choice.
To keep running…
Or to give love one more chance.
FM 18 Apr
Chapter 25
