Married To My Ex-Lover: A heart shattered, a love reborn

Natalie, who was still in the room, looked at Ethan in disbelief. Amidst her disbelief was also a small triumph smile dancing in her eyes.

Without saying anything, she also left the room, but she didn’t chase after Jasmine, instead, she made a detour toward the rooftop, her lips curling faintly as she dialed a number. Both women left without Ethan and his friends knowing, just like when they entered earlier.

Jasmine dashed out of the clubhouse in tears. No matter how she tries to wipe it off, it continues falling. As if the revelation of her lover wasn’t enough, a drop of rain fell on her skin, and before she knew it, the rain became heavy, drenching her. She was barely aware of where she was going.

‘I have to leave. I have to escape from Ethan.’ Her brain screamed as she walked down the street inside the heavy rain, her perfectly styled hair hung in dripping stands across her tear-streaked face.

Her black gown clung to her skin, soaked and heavy, her heels clinking unevenly on the wet road as she walked down the road like a lonely ghost, her clutch held tightly between her fingers.

Each step she took felt like walking through broken glass — sharp, painful, cutting deep into her heart. The words Ethan spat out a moment ago kept on replaying in her head. “Why would I fall in love with her? It’s just a game, bro.”

Jasmine let out a broken sob, her tears mixing with the rain water that kept pouring on her face. Her sobs were swallowed by the sound of thunder that kept on roaring into the night. The world seemed to be weeping with her.

Every smile, all late night calls, every promise, was all a lie. She had trusted him when everyone had said Ethan Morgan was dangerous, a man who played with women’s hearts like it worth nothing. 

She believed she was different. He had treated her lovingly, unlike the rumors. How foolish she was to think she meant the world to him, just like he meant to her.

“Why, Ethan?” Jasmine screamed as she kept on walking into the pouring rain. “Why would you do this to me? How dare you play with my feelings?”

What answered her was the roaring thunder that kept on rumbling across the night sky, echoing her pain like a cruel reminder that the heavens themselves were bearing witness to her heartbreak.

“No, I can’t just leave like that!” Jasmine stopped suddenly. “Leaving like this wasn’t enough. I needed answers. I have to confront Ethan and look into his eyes and ask him why? What was my crime for him to play with my feelings?” 

Her palm moved towards her face, trying to clean the tears and rain water out of her face, her body trembling. Summoning the little strength she had left, Jasmine turned around, her soaked heels slipping slightly on the wet road. 

She started making her way back to the clubhouse inside the heavy rain, her vision blurred by the heavy downpour. She didn’t notice the car speeding towards her, the car headlights blazing through the storm. The light hit her face, blinding her for a split second, and then everything went blank.

The sound of metal colliding with flesh and bone ripped through the storm. Her body was thrown violently against a lamppost, the impact echoing across the empty street.

For a moment, time stood still. Jasmine’s small frame crumpled to the ground, her once-glowing skin now pale beneath the rain. Her blood mixed with the puddle around her, painting the ground crimson.

The car didn’t stop. Its tires screeched as it sped away into the night, disappearing around the corner without a trace, hesitation, no remorse.

Jasmine’s lips parted slightly, a soft, painful gasp escaping them as her trembling fingers reached out weakly, grasping for something, or someone who was no longer there.

“E-Ethan,” she whispered faintly, her lips barely moving. Her body shuddered once, twice, before going still, the rain continuing to fall relentlessly, washing her blood across the pavement.

Around Jasmine, the world remained indifferent, the streetlights flickering weakly, and the storm raged on, drowning out the last breath of the woman whose only sin was loving too deeply.

****

Back inside the clubhouse, Donald made his way back into the room, his body slightly wet. Ethan and his friends looked up and saw him. Josh and Williams continue their game, while Ethan’s face is stoic, the words he said earlier still haunting him.

“Didn’t you go to the restroom? How did you get wet?” Josh questioned Donald as he walked towards them, his eyes filled with mischief as he hit one of the snooker balls.

“It’s none of your business, Josh.” Donald shrugged, not wanting to answer Josh, who he knew was teasing him. Donald looks all over the room but he doesn't see Jasmine and Natalie.

“Huh, where is Jasmine and Natalie? I saw them making their way inside here earlier.”

Ethan’s champagne glass fell as he heard Donald’s words. His hand was shaking. Josh and Williams stilled, all eyes focused on Donald.

“What? Jasmine was here earlier?” Ethan rushed towards Donald, his hand grabbing his shoulder.

“Yes, I told them you guys were waiting for them here. Why can’t I see them?” Donald, oblivious of what has happened in his absence, was puzzled by the look on his friends’ faces.

“Did they eavesdrop on everything we said a few minutes ago?” Josh spat as he ran a hand into his hair, exhaling sharply.

Ethan’s feet felt heavy as he stood in place. He couldn’t help imagining the pain Jasmine is in after hearing all that he had said earlier. Fuck his ego. Without thinking, Ethan rushed towards Josh and punched him hard on his face.

“It’s all your fault!”  He roared. “You did that purposely. You said all that earlier to provoke me, knowing Jasmine would be here right?”

Ethan was about to punch Josh again when Donald and Williams, who was shocked at Ethan’s reaction, rushed forward and grabbed him, separating them from each other.

Josh was punched speechless by Ethan. He regained his senses after a few seconds. “Are you out of you fucking mind, Ethan? I asked a question and you gave me an answer. What does that have to do with me knowing that Jasmine will be here? 

And by the way, all I said earlier was the truth. We all know you are with her due to a bet you made with me four years ago. Why are you going berserk after knowing that Jasmine knew you were just playing with her?”

Donald finally put one and two together and understood all that happened in his absence. “Fuck Ethan, you are a fucking bast…”

Ethan didn’t allow Donald to finish his words before he freed himself from his friends’ grip. He threw a dirty glance at Josh way before he took his blazer and car key, making his way towards the door.

Before he opened the door, he glanced at Josh and said, “better pray that Jasmine forgives me and not break up with me because of your nonsense. If not, be ready to face the consequences of your actions.”

And with that, Ethan jammed the door behind him and left the clubhouse, his heart filled with how much pain Jasmine must be in right now.