"Are you running away again, just like you did on your wedding day?"
"This was a mistake, Jasmine. It can't happen again."
"When you were inside me last night, you didn't say it was a mistake. So why now?"
"I'm a married man. This won't happen again. I got carried away."
"Bullshit, Owen! Don't tell me you didn't feel anything."
He left my house, and I knew it would be the last time he'd ever step foot inside. I spent weeks recovering from the emotional wounds, cocooned in silence and sorrow. My aunt came to help around the house, providing some comfort, but the ache of losing him lingered in every corner of my mind.
When I finally returned to work, I was met with a sight that made my heart drop, Nicolas and Adele, kissing outside the hospital. I walked by, my shoulder brushing against Adele's, but she didn't react. I didn't let my emotions show, but inside, everything burned.
As I walked into the department, I was met with flowers and cake. The staff greeted me warmly, and for a moment, I felt a fleeting sense of comfort in their kindness. But then, Owen walked in holding Adele's hand.
"My husband and I want to give you this gift as a welcome back," she said, flashing her ring in my face.
I forced a smile, accepting their gift with a politeness I didn't feel. They were flaunting their marriage, right in front of me. It took everything I had not to crumble. But I knew what I had to do. I couldn't just let go of Owen, not yet.
I began dressing in a way that I knew would draw him in, wearing the outfits he always admired. His pride might keep him at bay, but I wouldn't give up. Slowly, I approached him whenever we were alone, subtly tempting him. At first, he resisted, but the more I teased, the harder it became for him to ignore the chemistry between us.
The passion between us was undeniable. His kisses were fire, and every touch set me on fire. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself. We carried on our secret office romance for a couple of weeks, but soon, the guilt started to weigh on him, and he pulled back.
When the seductive clothes no longer worked, I switched tactics. I used my position as director to make him suffer. I had him reassigned to the emergency ward with no days off, working under immense pressure. Every time I passed by, I saw him struggling, yet a part of me couldn't help but feel satisfaction. I wanted him to feel the pain I had.
But instead of crumbling, Owen seemed to thrive. His relationships with the doctors there were solid, and he appeared more at ease than ever. It only frustrated me more.
One day, I decided to make him pay.
"Doctor Owen, I have a special assignment for you. The Ministry of Health needs a team to address the virus outbreak in Africa. I need you to lead the team."
"Sir, I've just gotten married. Could you assign someone else to lead this mission?"
"What does your marriage have to do with your work? Have you forgotten the vows you made as a doctor? Just answer me, will you go or not?"
"Can I think about it and get back to you?"
I knew this was the perfect opportunity to break him. Many doctors who went to Africa to assist with outbreaks never returned. I expected Owen to come begging me to excuse him. But days went by, and he never came to my office.
Anxiety gripped me. I feared that his pride was too strong for him to ask for a way out. The next morning, the president called to inform me that Owen had left for Africa.
"I knew he'd rather die than beg me," I muttered to myself.
I watched the news obsessively, tracking the situation and checking on Owen. I even had a doctor spy on him, but the worry continued to grow. Every passing day, I feared that I had sent him to his death.
Unable to stay away, I booked the next flight to Africa. When I arrived, the scene was chaos. It felt like a war zone, no weapons, but just as intense. People were rushing everywhere, and I joined them immediately, ready to help wherever I was needed.
"Owen! Are you okay?"
"What are you doing here? Came to see if I'm dead?"
"What? Why would you say that?"
"I'm fine, Jasmine. Healthy and strong. Sorry to disappoint you, but I won't be dying anytime soon. I know you were behind all this."
"I did it because you're one of the best doctors I know, and your skills were needed."
"Don't lie to me. You did this because of my marriage, thinking I'd come crawling back to you. Well, you were wrong. Stay away from me, Jasmine."
His words hit me hard. They were the truth, and I realized how selfish I had been. I had tried to manipulate him, and now he was shutting me out.
That night, I joined the other doctors for dinner. The fear was palpable in the room, with many of them writing out their final wishes. I couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation.
I selected a few doctors to accompany me to the quarantined area, but when they hesitated, I decided to go alone. As an executive, it was my responsibility, even though I was terrified. I completed the checkup and was about to leave when I noticed everyone staring at me.
"What's wrong, guys?"
"Doc, you're bleeding from your nose."