"Owen, what are you saying? Why can't you marry me?"
He didn't answer. Instead, Owen started packing his things into a suitcase and left the apartment. At first, I thought it was some kind of prank, so I didn't chase after him. I assumed he'd come back the next day and tell me it was all a joke.
The next morning, I went to work, hoping he would come to me and tell me it was all a misunderstanding, but nothing. I checked his office, but the curtains were drawn. I walked past his door, pretending to talk to a doctor, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. His office was quiet, he wasn't there.
At lunch, I saw him outside the cafeteria. I tried to approach him, hoping to talk through everything, but he was on the phone. I hesitated, standing at a distance, but couldn't help eavesdropping.
My heart sank as I heard his words. "Owen, what? Are you serious about not marrying me? I thought we had a future."
"We did have a future, Jasmine, but it's over now. I'm sorry."
"Owen, you can't do this to me. I love you."
I didn't want to cause a scene, so I walked away and retreated to my office, feeling numb. It was as if my heart had been crushed. I had never imagined he would say something like this.
That night, I went to his apartment to talk things through, but he never came out. I woke up the next morning wrapped in a blanket on his bed, disoriented and confused.
"Owen, I know you love me. Why are you doing this?" I asked softly.
He couldn't meet my eyes. His body language told me everything. He pulled away, not wanting to speak. I hugged him from behind and kissed his ear, trying to get him to open up. But after a brief kiss, he pulled back again, his eyes filled with something I couldn't read.
"Jasmine, I love you more than anything. But I can't marry you."
I was desperate now, holding onto him. "Talk to me, Owen. Whatever it is, we can fix it. You don't have to do this alone. I have the resources to help."
He said nothing. I left, feeling completely lost. How could I raise a child alone? How could everything have fallen apart so suddenly?
I sought advice from my aunt, hoping some time away would help me process everything. But I couldn't stop thinking about Owen marrying someone else. It haunted me.
The president called me that afternoon. The inmate had requested to speak with me urgently. When I arrived, the man was waiting for me.
"Doctor, I've found a heart for my transplant. When can we begin the surgery?"
I was taken aback. "You found a heart? How did you manage that?"
He calmly responded. "A friend of mine had a car accident a couple of days ago. He's donating his heart to me. My people will bring it to you when you're ready."
The situation sounded suspicious. I stopped by the police station to report it before heading home. When I got home, I found a small envelope addressed to me. My hands trembled as I opened it, only to find a wedding invitation from Owen and Adele.
I was furious. I ripped it apart, feeling betrayed. The love I had for him was slowly turning into something much darker.
"Owen, how could you do this to me? I've given you everything, my love, my trust, and you send me this? A wedding invitation?!"
His response was swift. "What? I never sent you anything. We haven't even talked about a wedding date yet."
"Then who did, Owen?" I was shaking with rage. "You're not getting away with this. I won't give up on us."
Determined to fight for him, I began dressing in clothes I knew would catch his attention, especially the color blue. He always had that look in his eyes when he saw me in it. I walked by his office as often as I could, hoping he'd notice me, hoping it would work.
And it did. His gaze always followed me. I knew he was interested, but I needed more.
One day, I walked into his office, closed the door behind me, and slowly approached him. I sat on his desk, placing my legs between his, and took his hand, guiding it to my thigh. I gently kissed his ear, feeling his breath catch. He wanted more, but before things could go further, I stood up and left. I needed him to want me, to chase me.
But by the end of the week, nothing had changed. I wore the same dress every day, hoping it would get through to him, but he remained distant.
Then Owen's mother came to the hospital, all smiles, handing out wedding invitations to everyone as if everything were normal. Owen stood there, looking miserable as she joyfully invited people, and he had no say in it. I could feel my pride rising. I wasn't going to let him slip away that easily.
After she left, I marched into his office.
"Owen, I just need one thing from you. Look me in the eyes and answer this question, and then I'll leave you alone. I promise."
He sighed deeply. "What is it, Jasmine?"
"Do you love Adele? Are you happy?"
He was about to answer, but his phone rang. It was his mother. He quickly walked out of the room, leaving me standing there. I knew at that moment that he hadn't wanted this. He had been forced into it.
Saturday was the wedding, and I was running out of time. I had to act fast.
That night, I found him.
"Owen, what are you doing here? You're getting married tomorrow!"
"Jasmine, I tried to let go, but I can't stop thinking about you and our child. I love you. I always have."
I pulled him close, kissing him fiercely. I wanted this night to last forever. But when I woke up the next morning, he was gone.