Your Betrayal Broke Me, but My Healing Killed You

"Jesse, I've made up my mind. I want a divorce from Jacob Gilmore."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone before he finally spoke. "What about Jasmine? She's still so young. If you divorce him, you'll have to fight for custody."

My heart clenched at the mention of Jasmine.

She was the daughter I carried for ten months and gave birth to through unimaginable pain.

Now, she lay still and lifeless on that hospital bed, her eyes closed forever.

I fought back the tears, my voice choking. "My daughter is gone. Today, she left me forever. Jesse, I want to go home."

"I understand. I'll arrange for the best divorce lawyer, Rose. She can get the papers filed and in five days, you'll be free of that bastard."

"Josephine, I'll be waiting for you at the French airport in five days."

The afterglow outside fell on the bed and Jasmine's face at dusk.

I touched my daughter's face for the last time, tears streaming down my face, "Baby, it's Mom's fault. Mom shouldn't have fallen in love with Dad."

I've secretly been in love with Jacob Gilmore, the heir to a well-known New York company, for ten years.

He was distant, cold and elegant. Rumors said he was impotent and uninterested in women.

For ten years, I had tried every possible way to seduce him, 999 attempts in total, each ending in failure.

Every time, Jacob would gently wipe away the tears from the corners of my eyes and say coldly, "Josephine, I'm sorry."

Until my 23rd birthday, my family was going to immigrate to France.

My eldest brother was worried about me staying alone in New York and always wanted to find me someone to rely on, so he simply drugged me and Jacob.

Even under the influence, his gaze remained clear and cold. He fought hard to maintain control, never crossing the line with me once.

However, I couldn't stand the heat building inside me and I clung to him desperately.

Jacob couldn't stand being pestered by me and his voice was hoarse. "Josephine, you will regret it if you do this!"

He was the person I had been thinking about for ten years. How could I regret such a rare opportunity?

I boldly put my arms around his neck. "I will never regret doing this to you."

Before he could speak, I kissed him, blocking all the words he wanted to say.

That night, we were utterly lost, feeling waves of heat and finally reached a climax.

The next morning, everything had changed.

The passion from the night before was gone, replaced only by hatred in his eyes.

Yet, from that reckless night, I became pregnant. Left with no other choice, he married me.

The child born was Jasmine.

As if it were a punishment, he spent most of his time abroad, gone for six long years at a stretch.

I could only stay home with our child, foolishly waiting for his return.

He occasionally returned but went to great lengths to avoid physical contact with me. As for our daughter, he wouldn't even hold her.

When Jasmine was five, she suddenly fell gravely ill. I sought out famous doctors everywhere, but none could save her.

Just yesterday, Jasmine's condition took a sharp turn for the worse. After emergency treatment, she was transferred to the ICU for observation. Her little mouth murmured, asking to see her father one last time.

I rushed out of the ward and dialed Jacob's number.

The first time, there was no answer.

The second time, he hung up.

The third time, a recording informed me that the line was busy.

It wasn't until the fifth attempt that he finally answered.

I quickly replied while clutching my phone tightly, "Jacob, Jasmine is very sick. Can you please come to the hospital as soon as possible?"

He scoffed, "Josephine Sorensen, if you want me to come home, just say so. Can you please stop using the child as an excuse every time?"

"No, this time it's real, Jacob. I beg you, please come to the hospital to see your daughter one last time."

"Are you still not tired of acting? I'm sick of your pathetic performances!"

The line went dead.

But Jasmine was still inside, waiting. I couldn't give up just like that.

I continued to dial his number again and again.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the phone was finally answered again.

"Jacob, something has really happened to Jasmine, you … "

A gentle female voice came from the other end. "Are you looking for Jacob? I'm sorry, he's still in the shower."

I could faintly hear the sound of running water on the other end.

That single sentence was enough for me to recognize the voice.

It was Selena Jones, Jacob's childhood sweetheart.

They had once been engaged, but she had rejected Jacob ten years ago. She went abroad to get married and even had a daughter named Sadie.

Then, a sweet, childish voice chimed in from the other end. "Mommy, what were you and Uncle Jacob busy doing in the room just now? Are you done? Oh, Mommy, why are you wearing so short?"

I had heard they had lived together during his years abroad, which was true.

Jasmine was critically ill, lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. Meanwhile, her own father was out there, enjoying himself with his childhood sweetheart.

I couldn't bear to listen anymore and hung up the phone.

I leaned against the wall outside the ward, burying my face in my hands and weeping silently.

Not long after, a piercing alarm blared from the equipment in the ward. I rushed back to the bedside and grasped my daughter's hand.

"Baby, Daddy will be here in a little while. Just hold on a bit longer!"

My daughter reached out, struggling to wipe away my tears.

Her face was pale and she shook her head weakly. "Mommy, does Jasmine not have a daddy anymore? Daddy won't come, will he?"

My heart was torn apart, but I tried to weave a comforting lie. "Baby, no. Daddy is just too busy right now and can't come immediately. Hold on a little longer and Daddy will be here soon!"

Little Jasmine held on stubbornly through the entire night.

Unable to bear watching my daughter suffer any longer, I called Jacob again, dialing his number the whole night through.

Still, he never answered his phone again.

The light in my daughter's eyes gradually faded and she finally closed her eyes in my arms.

"Baby, don't leave Mommy! I beg you, open your eyes and look at Mommy again!"

My cries were hoarse with grief as I repeatedly called her name.

But her little hand hung limply, offering no response.

"Ms. Sorensen, please accept my condolences. It's time to arrange for the deceased's remains."

The nurse's voice beside me pulled me back to reality.

"According to the procedure, we must also notify the deceased's father. I'm just letting you know in advance."

Before I could stop her, the nurse had already connected the call to Jacob.

"Hello, is this Mr. Gilmore? This is Clayton Hospital. We are formally informing you that your daughter, Jasmine Gilmore, has passed away."

"Please come to the hospital as soon as possible."