Chapter 2 WALKING AWAY

Jasmine's pov

I walked into the building. I kept going, my heels making a soft click on the ground.

Today should've been the day I told Ethan about my pregnancy, maybe it would have strengthened our relationship. Instead, I found out the son of a bitch has been denying me.

Have I really been deluding myself into thinking I'm his wife?

I hated him and felt like strangling him for wasting my precious years. All these years I had thought he would eventually accept me and change his decision about me not getting pregnant.

I barged through the revolving doors, brushing off the receptionist and security's curious stares.

The receptionist tried to stop me, but I barely heard her over the rush.

I got to the studio and realized I was late. The interview was over, the lights were dimmed, and the crew were packing up.

My annoyance grew, yet I continued to ask everyone around me about Ethan's whereabouts.

Someone on the team mentioned they saw him going to the lounge.

I really appreciated her for pointing me to the lounge; I could hear my heels tapping on the marble as I went. I burst into the room and looked around.

I spotted Ethan hanging out in the kitchenette, with his jacket off and sleeves rolled up. The interviewer stood next to him, chuckling at something he mentioned and casually stroking his arm like it was totally normal.

The sight alone made my stomach twist, like I was going to throw up and I moved closer to them.

"Am I interrupting anything?" I questioned, breaking through their conversation.

Ethan spun around fast, going from shocked to annoyed in just a moment. "What are you doing here?" he questioned menacingly.

The interviewer stepped back and looked at me in a weird way. "I didn't mean to.."

"Oh, don't worry," I interrupted, "You're not the problem. He is."

With a sigh, Ethan ran his hand through his hair as if I was the unreasonable one. "This isn't the time or the place for this"

"You don't get to decide that," I snapped, stepping closer. "Not after what you did today. Not after you went on national television and acted like I don't exist. Like I'm nothing."

I was really losing my cool now; I had kept quiet for years, honoring his choice. He'd never call me his wife when introducing me to anyone, and I get it since our marriage was just a deal. I can't handle this; he didn't even bring me up, even if it was just for appearances.

"Do you know what it's like to love someone who treats you like a burden? To give them everything, your heart, your soul, your loyalty, and get nothing but pain in return?"

"Keep your voice down," he muttered, glancing at the door. "You're causing a scene."

"Good," I noted, my anger bubbling. "Maybe you need a scene. Maybe you need to feel the same pain you put me through!"

I grabbed the glass of water on the table without even thinking. I tossed the stuff at Ethan before he even had a chance to respond. The icy drink hit his face and shirt, leaving him shocked and soaked.

Everyone went quiet. The interviewer covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes widened, but I didn't care. I totally ignored her since I wasn't here for her at all. My gaze stayed locked on Ethan's, speaking with a cold and steady voice.

"You know, I could have been a successful woman by now. I had dreams, goals, and a future ahead of me."

I took a moment, letting him soak in what I said, "But look at me, trapped in this unfaithful marriage-"

"Unfaithful?" Ethan cuts in, "Don't act like a victim here."

I couldn't believe my eyes at his boldness. How could he say I'm acting like the victim here? Is he being serious right now?

"You didn't sacrifice anything for me," he snapped. "You did this for your father! You married me for the money, to save his sinking debts."

I felt a lump in my throat, but I remained composed

"So don't talk to me about sacrifice," he continued speaking with disdain. "Everything you get from me, every bit of this life, is exactly what you deserve."

I glanced at the scar on my wrist and felt a wave of anger wash over me as I remembered how it got there.

"Do you remember this?" I asked, holding up my wrist, my voice trembling with emotion.

Ethan glanced at the scar but didn't say anything.

"I got this from your mother," I said, my voice cracking. "Do you remember how she grabbed me? How she blame me for not being able to give you a child? Do you remember the words she threw at me, the things she made me feel?"

I let the tears roll down my face without bothering to wipe them away. "And all you ever did was to watch saying nothing. You watched her hurt me day by day, and not once did you ever stand up for me."

Ethan fidgeted, looking like he wanted to say something, but I cut him off.

"You knew what I was going through. You knew how much it hurt, how much I needed you, but all you did was turn your back on me. You didn't just fail me, Ethan. You betrayed me."

A heavy silence filled the room, making the tension between us feel intense. He was quiet, but his silence spoke volumes.

I wiped my tears and straightened my shoulders, looking at him squarely in the eye. "You're right," I voiced slowly. "I married you for my father. But I stayed because I loved you. And that was my biggest mistake."

I started to walk out, feeling weighed down with each step. As I went to grab the doorknob, I felt a sudden pause inside me.

I slowly turned around and looked into Ethan's eyes.

"This is over," I said. "Whatever this was, whatever you thought we were is done. I'm done!"

He kept looking at me with that same calmness. He kept quiet, and that silence told me everything I needed to know about being right.

I stepped outside and finally felt free from his shadow after all these years. The only thing that matters to me now is my child and my career. I will make Ethan regret every moment he stole from me.