Chapter 22 My heart cracked , but this time , I didnt scream . I didnt break anything . I didnt 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 couldnt 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 didnt ask questions . Of course . Come now . Ill wait for you . The drive to Alices apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldnt 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 told her about the message , about Minas 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 cant do this again , Alice , I sobbed into her lap . I cant go through this again . She stroked my hair gently . Maybe theres an explanation maybe that photo was old , or maybe he was forced- No , I cut her off , curling tighter into myself . I dont want to know . I dont want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise . Im tired , Alice . Im tired of believing only to be shattered again . Its 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 couldnt 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 didnt 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. Im sorry if I did something wrong . Please , Im 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 wasnt going to tell me . He wasnt 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 dont want this anymore . Lets end this . I hit send . Blocked his number . Deleted the thread . No confrontation . No long goodbye . Just silence . It was better this way . I couldnt survive another betrayal . And I wouldnt let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didnt 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 . 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 wifes 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 didnt waver . He looked straight into the lens . If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood , please contact me directly . Im offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife . Shes not missing she left but I cant lose her . Shes 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 didnt scream . I didnt break anything . I didnt 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 couldnt 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 didnt ask questions . Of course . Come now . Ill wait for you . The drive to Alices apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldnt 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 told her about the message , about Minas 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 cant do this again , Alice , I sobbed into her lap . I cant go through this again . She stroked my hair gently . Maybe theres an explanation maybe that photo was old , or maybe he was forced- No , I cut her off , curling tighter into myself . I dont want to know . I dont want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise . Im tired , Alice . Im tired of believing only to be shattered again . Its 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 couldnt 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 didnt 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 % Im sorry if I did something wrong . Please , Im 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 wasnt going to tell me . He wasnt 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 dont want this anymore . Lets end this . I hit send . Blocked his number . Deleted the thread . No confrontation . No long goodbye . Just silence . It was better this way . I couldnt survive another betrayal . And I wouldnt let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didnt 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 . 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 wifes 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 didnt waver . He looked straight into the lens . If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood , please contact me directly . Im offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife . Shes not missing she left but I cant lose her . Shes 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 didnt scream . I didnt break anything . I didnt 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 couldnt 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 didnt ask questions . Of course . Come now . Ill wait for you . The drive to Alices apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldnt 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 told her about the message , about Minas 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 cant do this again , Alice , I sobbed into her lap . I cant go through this again . She stroked my hair gently . Maybe theres an explanation maybe that photo was old , or maybe he was forced- No , I cut her off , curling tighter into myself . I dont want to know . I dont want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise . Im tired , Alice . Im tired of believing only to be shattered again . Its 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 couldnt 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 didnt 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 Im sorry if I did something wrong . Please , Im 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 wasnt going to tell me . He wasnt 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 dont want this anymore . Lets end this . I hit send . Blocked his number . Deleted the thread . No confrontation . No long goodbye . Just silence . It was better this way . I couldnt survive another betrayal . And I wouldnt let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didnt 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 . 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 wifes 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 didnt waver . He looked straight into the lens . If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood , please contact me directly . Im offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife . Shes not missing she left but I cant lose her . Shes 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 didnt know . And so I didnt say anything . I just wrapped my arms around my stomach , felt the soft pulse of life within me , and whispered , Well be okay . Even if that meant never going back . 19:32 Fr , 18 Apr Rozens POV Chapter 22 59 % My heart cracked , but this time , I didnt scream . I didnt break anything . I didnt 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 couldnt 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 didnt ask questions . Of course . Come now . Ill wait for you . The drive to Alices apartment was a blur of red taillights and sobs I couldnt 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 told her about the message , about Minas 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 cant do this again , Alice , I sobbed into her lap . I cant go through this again . She stroked my hair gently . Maybe theres an explanation maybe that photo was old , or maybe he was forced- No , I cut her off , curling tighter into myself . I dont want to know . I dont want to hear another apology or explanation or another promise . Im tired , Alice . Im tired of believing only to be shattered again . Its 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 couldnt 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 didnt 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 Im sorry if I did something wrong . Please , Im 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 wasnt going to tell me . He wasnt 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 dont want this anymore . Lets end this . I hit send . Blocked his number . Deleted the thread . No confrontation . No long goodbye . Just silence . It was better this way . I couldnt survive another betrayal . And I wouldnt let my child grow up watching me break apart over someone who didnt 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 . 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 wifes 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 didnt waver . He looked straight into the lens . If anyone sees Jasmine Blackwood , please contact me directly . Im offering a reward for any information that will lead me back to my wife . Shes not missing she left but I cant lose her . Shes 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 wont lose her again . Please , Jasmine if youre watching this , come home . Ill 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 didnt 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 didnt know . And so I didnt say anything . I just wrapped my arms around my stomach , felt the soft pulse of life within me , and whispered , Well be okay . Even if that meant never going back . 19:32 Fr , 18 Apr Rozens POV behind . My house was cold. 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 didnt 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 didnt 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 . And again . Please , I begged her . I just need to see her . I dont know where she is , Alice said , voice clipped . Youre lying , I said . Shes carrying my child . She needs me . No , she said . What she needs is peace . What she needs is someone who wont break her the way every man before her did . Her words pierced deeper than knives . But I didnt stop . Every day , I sent flowers to her company . To Alices 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 wasnt 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 didnt care how desperate it looked . Let the world mock me . Let them laugh at the billionaire who lost his wife . Id 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 didnt even see it . I broke down . On the floor . On my knees . I was ready to be a father . But I couldnt do it without her . I didnt want this child to grow up in a broken home never knowing the warmth of both parents under the same roof . I didnt want them to inherit the trauma , the pain . I didnt want to be like my own father distant , cold , hollow . I wanted Jasmine . Then , one night , Alice finally answered my call . I was trembling . Im begging you . Chanter 23 19.04 Ги , то арг I wanted Jasi ||||| Then , one night , Alice finally answered my call . I was trembling . Im begging you . She sighed . She doesnt want to see you , Rozen . Shes 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 . Alices voice cracked . Dont mess this up . Shes barely holding on . I didnt 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 wasnt going to let her go . Not ever . 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,...