Chapter 3 WALKING AWAY (2)

Jasmine's POV

I trudged the familiar steps back home, my steps heavy and my mind lingering on Ethan's denial. His rejection had stung and I found it difficult to shake off the feeling of embarrassment. Maybe it was because I had not completely processed all of it.

I had poured my heart out to him, and he had callously dismissed me.

My sweaty grip on my handbag tightened, and I walked. The city streets blurred together. Neon lights and billboards faded into the background.

I couldn't help but remember the painful moments from my relationship with Ethan. I couldn't shake off the thought, it hurt way too much to deal with. I touched the slight swell of my belly. It was too early for me to show yet but I thought I felt a small pouch.

I was carrying Ethan's child and had planned to tell him that but now there was no possible way to do so.

I thought back to how many times he overlooked my emotions, disrespected me, and made me feel insignificant. I chose to look the other way and not listen. Deep down, I had chosen to hold hope, hope that maybe in Ethan's cruel way, he loved me.

The truth had revealed itself, he never actually loved me, neither had he ever seen me as a wife. I believed I was married, but it turns out I was just fooling myself for a long time.

Tears started to fill my eyes as I thought back on our chat. I always had a feeling that Ethan didn't feel the same way, but his words still hurt a lot.

"End things, Jasmine! Let us end things anyway! You have always been more of a burden to me rather than a partner."

In that instant, it was as if I got smacked in the belly. Ethan had never been sorry for hurting me. He had always been too self-absorbed to consider my feelings.

I arrived at the apartment, gazing up at the tall structure. It was warmer inside, and the doorman called out a cheerful greeting to me; I could only reply halfheartedly.

Ethan and I had lived in this building since we were married. This place holds a ton of memories, and not all of them are good.

I got to our door and typed in the codes on the keypad to open it. I stepped inside and was hit with a wave of sadness. Tears pricked at my eyes.

Ethan had never wanted to marry me but he had his moments of kindness, fleeting but carrying enough weight that they lingered in my head. Any time he showed the slightest iota of affection, I clung to it hopelessly. But those moments never lasted, only followed by his usual indifference.

My heart ached as I realized that maybe, I did deserve better. I deserved someone who would love me unconditionally, someone who would cherish me for who I was. Ethan had never been that person, no matter how long I'd hoped he would be.

I balled up my hands. The air was super suffocating, like I had a weight on my leg. I couldn't stay here anymore. I had to be gone before he was back from work. I could probably handle his coldness, but I just won't raise my kid in that kind of atmosphere.

I quickly dashed into my room and started tossing my clothes and stuff into a small travel bag. I packed up all my stuff into the bag while tears streamed down my face.

I paused to sigh heavily; I cast one last glance at the room and shook my head in disappointment. I wished that things hadn't ended this way.

I hesitated a bit, but I realized if I didn't take off now, I'd never get the chance. I just couldn't bear the idea of looking at his face again.

I picked up my bags and made my way to the door. I ignored the murmurs from the staff in the lobby downstairs. A flush crept up my cheeks. They knew about the terrible relationship with Ethan.

I walked up to the front door, my hand going for the doorknob right before I was about to turn it. One of the staff finally gathered courage. A maid rushed towards me with her head bent low as she spoke. "Is everything okay ma?" Her tone was shaky.

I sighed heavily. I just wished I was able to leave without having to say a thing to the staff. For the sake of humanity, I chose to clear the air. I cleared my throat and turned to the ones gathered at the far end of the room.

"Ethan and I have made some decisions that he will explain better to you. Don't expect me to return though." I said. They nodded their head at me; some wore sad expressions, but it only made my cheeks burn in humiliation.

A new wave of tears overcame me but I forced my chin up, fighting the urge to break down in front of them.

I opened the door. This time, no one was stopping me. I walked out, lost in my thoughts. I needed to find a place to sleep just for the night.

Turning round a corner, I nearly ran into an

old woman. The woman was on the sidewalk, looking scared with her eyes wide. She clutched a small bag to her chest, her hands shaking.

"Mom?" the elderly lady murmured, her gaze fixed on me. "Is that you, sweetheart?"

A frown of confusion marred my face but I couldn't find it in me to walk away, not when she was old and looked pitiful. "I am not your child," I said gently. "My name is Jasmine."

The old woman shook her head. "No, no, no," she muttered. "You are my child. I know it."

And with that, her gaze locked onto mine, filled with a desperate plea that I couldn't ignore.