Chapter 14 The car pulled up to the estate gates , and for a moment , I just sat there . The place hadnt changed on the outside it was still the grand , sprawling estate that once felt too distant , too cold . But as the gates opened , something stirred inside me . Something I didnt want to name . I stepped out , the crunch of gravel under my heels grounding me . Alice and the rest of our project team had already agreed I could work remotely most days , only coming to the office when needed . So technically , this wasnt a farewell . But emotionally … it felt like a beginning I never thought Id write into my story . When I entered the mansion , I froze . It wasnt the same . The coldness I once felt inside these walls ? Gone . The interior was warmer soft creams and honey tones replaced the stark whites . Curtains I never noticed before now framed the windows like gentle whispers . There were fresh flowers on the grand table in the foyer . Paintings had been changed , lights dimmed softly . There was a quiet hum of life here now , like it was finally a home . Do you like it ? I turned . Rozen stood near the staircase , dressed in a simple black sweater and slacks . No armor . Just … Rozen . You changed everything , I whispered . He nodded slowly . I thought … maybe its time . I opened my mouth to ask , but before I could , he said , Mina used to love everything pristine , sterile . She designed most of this place with her tastes . I didnt have the heart to change it before . I stiffened . The name Mina . The woman in the photo . The one I thought still lived inside his heart . She was your fiancée . He gave a small nod . Childhood friend . We grew up together . Everyone thought we were meant to end up together … including me . Until she fell in love with someone else . No goodbye , no explanation . Just a ring on the table and silence . I didnt realize how tightly I was holding my bag until my fingers started to ache . Im sorry . He met my gaze . I couldnt move on for years . I convinced myself love was just … illusion . But then you came in . I looked away , the words sitting too heavy in my chest . And the vase … he continued , That belonged to her . I kept it like an idiot . Like holding onto something long gone would make it come back . That night , when you broke it I was angry , not because it broke , but because I realized I shouldve thrown it away long ago . You didnt ruin anything , Jasmine . You freed me . Chapter 13 19:26 Fn , 18 Apr D 60 % My eyes watered , unexpectedly . I never meant to- He stepped closer , his hand brushing mine . Dont apologize . Thats not what matters anymore . My breath hitched . What matters , he said , voice rough , is that youre here now . That somehow , after everything , we found each other . And Im not going to let you go . He kissed me . Soft at first . A confession . But then I kissed him back and something between us snapped . His arms wrapped around my waist as mine tangled around his neck . We stumbled through the hallway , into the bedroom , leaving no space between us . Every touch was desperate , every kiss a promise one we hadnt dared to say out loud until now . His fingers slid under my blouse , tracing the curve of my waist , igniting sparks under my skin . I gasped when his lips found the hollow of my throat . Tell me to stop , he whispered . I couldnt . ~ Instead , I pulled him down to me . And everything after that was fire burning away doubt , distance , fear . His mouth against my skin , his hands worshiping every inch like I was something precious . And for the first time in a long time , I allowed myself to feel it to want , to need , to love . When it was over , we laid there limbs tangled , hearts bare . His hand ran up and down my arm slowly , anchoring me . You okay ? he asked softly . I nodded . We were silent for a while . Just breathing . Just being . Then , I turned to him . So … I get to redecorate everything ? He chuckled , pressing a kiss to my temple . Everything . Youre the wife now , remember ? I smiled , but something in me still hesitated . Hmm ? Im scared , I admitted . He shifted , eyes locking on mine . Of what ? Of this . Of feeling like this . I dont want to get hurt again . I dont know if I can take it . He didnt flinch . Instead , he pulled me close again , forehead to forehead . I know the feeling . Ive been scared too . I built walls thinking theyd protect me … but you My Husband is a Fake One 1/3 53.3 % 19:26 Fri , 18 Apr 60 % Chapter 14 The car pulled up to the estate gates , and for a moment , I just sat there . The place hadnt changed on the outside it was still the grand , sprawling estate that once felt too distant , too cold . But as the gates opened , something stirred inside me . Something I didnt want to name . I stepped out , the crunch of gravel under my heels grounding me . Alice and the rest of our project team had already agreed I could work remotely most days , only coming to the office when needed . So technically , this wasnt a farewell . But emotionally … it felt like a beginning I never thought Id write into my story . When I entered the mansion , I froze . It wasnt the same . The coldness I once felt inside these walls ? Gone . The interior was warmer soft creams and honey tones replaced the stark whites . Curtains I never noticed before now framed the windows like gentle whispers . There were fresh flowers on the grand table in the foyer . Paintings had been changed , lights dimmed softly . There was a quiet hum of life here now , like it was finally a home . Do you like it ? I turned . Rozen stood near the staircase , dressed in a simple black sweater and slacks . No armor . Just … Rozen . You changed everything , I whispered . He nodded slowly . I thought … maybe its time . I opened my mouth to ask , but before I could , he said , Mina used to love everything pristine , sterile . She designed most of this place with her tastes . I didnt have the heart to change it before . I stiffened . The name Mina . The woman in the photo . The one I thought still lived inside his heart . She was your fiancée . He gave a small nod . Childhood friend . We grew up together . Everyone thought we were meant to end up together … including me . Until she fell in love with someone else . No goodbye , no explanation . Just a ring on the table and silence . I didnt realize how tightly I was holding my bag until my fingers started to ache . Im sorry . He met my gaze . I couldnt move on for years . I convinced myself love was just … illusion . But then you came in . I looked away , the words sitting too heavy in my chest . And the vase … he continued , That belonged to her . I kept it like an idiot . Like holding onto something long gone would make it come back . That night , when you broke it I was angry , not because it broke , but because I realized I shouldve thrown it away long ago . You didnt ruin anything , Jasmine . You freed me . Munun unterad navnactedly I mov Chapter 14 19:26 Fri , 18 Apr What matters , he said , voice rough , is that youre here now . That somehow , after everything , we found each other . And Im not going to let you go . He kissed me , Soft at first , Gentle , A confession . But then I kissed him back and something between us snapped , His arms wrapped around my waist as mine tangled around his neck . We stumbled through the hallway , into the bedroom , leaving no space between us . Every touch was desperate , every kiss a promise one we hadnt dared to say out loud until now . His fingers slid under my blouse , tracing the curve of my waist , igniting sparks under my skin , I gasped when his lips found the hollow of my throat . Tell me to stop , he whispered , I didnt . I couldnt . Instead , I pulled him down to me . And everything after that was fire burning away doubt , distance , fear . His mouth against my skin , his hands worshiping every inch like I was something precious . And for the first time in a long time , I allowed myself to feel it to want , to need , to love . When it was over , we laid there limbs tangled , hearts bare . His hand ran up and down my arm slowly , anchoring me . You okay ? he asked softly , I nodded . Yeah , We were silent for a while . Just breathing . Just being . Then , I turned to him . So … I get to redecorate everything ? He chuckled , pressing a kiss to my temple . Everything . Youre the wife now , remember ? I smiled , but something in me still hesitated . Rozen … Hmm ? Im scared , I admitted . He shifted , eyes locking on mine . Of what ? Of this . Of feeling like this . I dont want to get hurt again . I dont know if I can take it . He didnt flinch . Instead , he pulled me close again , forehead to forehead . I know the feeling . Ive been scared too . I built walls thinking theyd protect me … but you broke through anyway . I dont want anyone else , Jasmine . Just you . I know I was a bastard before , but if you let me if you stay Ill prove to you that this is real . His voice cracked at the end , and my heart did , too . I didnt answer with words . Chapter 14 Audrey's biggest regret? A one-night stand with Floyd, her secret love for eight years. Despite his arranged marriage and his family's troubles, he kept rescuing her. She thought she was just a fling,...