Chapter 23 59 % I slammed the door to Minas apartment so hard the windows shook . She was sitting there on the couch , sipping red wine like she hadnt just blown my entire world to pieces . What the hell did you tell Jasmine ? My voice echoed like thunder . Mina didnt even flinch . She smiled , that smug , venomous curl of her lips I once mistook for charm . I told her the truth , she said , crossing her legs . That she doesnt belong in your world . That shes just … a replacement . I clenched my jaw . You think this is a joke ? I told her , she continued , unfazed , that you still love me . That Im the one whos meant to be with you . And that photo? I hissed . She stood , walked slowly to the coffee table , and picked up her phone . Oh , that ? She tapped the screen and held it up to me . The image burned into my mind a frozen moment of her lips pressed to mine . A stolen second . Manipulated . You ruined us , I growled , my fists trembling . You kissed me , she said sweetly . No , I said through gritted teeth . You kissed me . I didnt expect it . I didnt want it . You had someone take that damn photo . You planned this . Mina narrowed her eyes . So what if I did ? Youre mine , Rozen . You always have been . Shes just a phase . Youll get over her . I stepped back , disgusted . I was over you . Jasmine is the only one Ive ever wanted to stay with . Youre lying , she said , her voice cracking . I did love you once , I said quietly . But it was toxic . You broke me . Jasmine healed me . She believed in me even when I didnt . Shes my wife . Shes carrying my child . And you- | looked at her like she was a stranger , you just made the biggest mistake of your life . Minas eyes turned glassy . You dont mean that . If I lose her forever because of you , I said , my voice dangerously low , youll pay . I swear to God , youll pay . And I walked out . I didnt look back . I didnt sleep that night . I couldnt . Jasmine wasnt replying to any of my messages . She had blocked me . Her bracelet the one with the tracker I gave her to keep her safe was left 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 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,...