THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 5: The Unsettling Truth

Emil sat in his office, his mind racing as he tried to process the information Steven had just given him. The typically organized and sharp-witted Emil found himself unnervingly distracted, his thoughts spiraling into a haze of uncertainty and regret.

Steven stood before him, hesitant to speak as he observed the change in Emil's demeanor. "Dr. Kylie Smith," Steven finally said, breaking the silence. "She's a well-known gynecologist, specializing in high-risk pregnancies. She's highly respected in her field."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Emil's heart pounded in his chest, a gnawing suspicion taking root deep within him. Jasmine, pregnant? The thought sent a shockwave through him, causing a cold sweat to break out on his forehead. If Jasmine was indeed pregnant, could the child be his?

Emil's normally steady hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, trying to keep his emotions in check. He had been a fool, driven by pride, ambition, and a fear he could never admit, even to himself. His jealousy of Dae Ho, his obsession with success, and his blindness to what really mattered had pushed Jasmine away. And now, he might have lost not only her but also the chance to be a father.

Steven, sensing Emil's turmoil, spoke cautiously. "Do you think Jasmine might be...?"

Emil cut him off, his voice strained. "I don't know, Steven. But I need to find out. If she's pregnant, if there's even a chance that it's my child..."

He trailed off, the enormity of the situation hitting him like a ton of bricks. The regret that had been simmering beneath the surface began to bubble over, threatening to consume him. He had wronged Jasmine in more ways than he could count, and the possibility that she was carrying his child made the weight of his mistakes even more unbearable.

Without wasting another moment, Emil grabbed his phone and tried to call Jasmine. His heart pounded as the line rang, his desperation growing with each unanswered ring. But the call didn't go through—her number was unavailable.

Emil's stomach dropped as he realized the truth. Jasmine had blocked him. She had cut him out of her life completely after everything he had done, and he couldn't blame her. He had pushed her away, broken her heart, and now he might be paying the ultimate price for his actions.

But Emil wasn't the type to give up easily. The determination that had driven him to build his empire now fueled his resolve to make things right, to at least try to fix the mess he had created. If Jasmine was truly pregnant, and if the child was his, he needed to be there for her—no matter what.

"Steven," Emil said, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him. "I need you to book me a flight to South Korea as soon as possible."

Steven nodded, already reaching for his phone to make the arrangements. "I'll take care of it, sir."

Emil stood from his desk, his thoughts racing as he looked out the window of his office. The city skyline, usually a source of pride and accomplishment, now felt cold and distant. All the success, all the wealth, it meant nothing if he lost Jasmine and the chance to be a father to their child.

As Steven made the arrangements, Emil paced the room, his mind flashing back to all the moments he had taken for granted—the times he had chosen work over Jasmine, the arguments, the distance that had grown between them. But one memory stood out above all others, replaying in his mind with painful clarity.

It was a night that had started like any other, but ended in chaos and heartbreak. Jasmine had come home unexpectedly, only to find Emil and Ruby together in a way that left no room for misunderstanding. The shock and pain in Jasmine's eyes were palpable as she stood in the doorway of their bedroom, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief.

"What is this?" Jasmine's voice cut through the room like a knife, her eyes locked onto Emil and Ruby.

Emil looked up, his face a mix of guilt and defiance. "Jasmine, I..."

But Jasmine wasn't waiting for explanations. "How could you do this to me, Emil? After everything we've been through, this is how you repay me?"

Ruby, her usual confident demeanor now stripped away, avoided Jasmine's gaze, feeling the weight of the situation. Emil, however, stood his ground, trying to defend his actions. "Jasmine, I didn't mean for this to happen. Ruby and I—we have something real now. I love her."

The words struck Jasmine like a physical blow. "Love her? What about us, Emil? What about everything we've built together?"

Emil's jaw tightened, a flash of anger crossing his face. "You've been pushing me away, Jasmine. I've been trying to focus on my career, on providing for us, and you've never understood. Ruby understands me in a way you don't."

Jasmine's face flushed with a mix of anger and hurt. "You're unbelievable! You think you can just replace me with her? After all the sacrifices I made for you? All I ever wanted was for you to be present, to care about us. But you've chosen this—this woman and your career over everything we had."

The argument escalated quickly, with voices rising and tempers flaring. Emil, driven by frustration and guilt, reacted violently. In a moment of blind rage, he pushed Jasmine, sending her sprawling onto the floor. The sight of her crumpled on the ground, her eyes wide with shock and pain, haunted him.

Ruby gasped, stepping back in alarm. "Emil, what are you doing?"

Emil's own anger quickly turned to horror as he saw Jasmine's anguished expression. He realized too late the gravity of his actions. He had let his emotions get the better of him, pushing Jasmine away in a way he could never take back. The confrontation ended with Jasmine fleeing from the house, her heartbroken sobs echoing in his ears long after she was gone.

The flashback faded as Emil stood in his office, his hands trembling as he relived the moment of his worst mistake. The reality of what he had done hit him with crushing force. If Jasmine was pregnant, and if the child was his, he couldn't bear the thought of his actions potentially harming them.

His fear and regret became almost unbearable. The thought that he might have hurt Jasmine, or worse, endangered their child, filled him with a deep and gnawing dread. He had made so many mistakes, and now he was terrified of the consequences.

Finally, Steven looked up from his phone. "Your flight is booked, sir. You'll be leaving first thing in the morning."

Emil nodded, his jaw set in determination. "Thank you, Steven."

"Of course, sir," Steven replied, watching as Emil's usually composed exterior cracked under the pressure of the situation.

Emil took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside him. He had made mistakes—big ones. But he wasn't going to let those mistakes define his future. He would find Jasmine, and he would get the answers he so desperately needed.

And if the child was his, he would do everything in his power to be the father that child deserved. No more running, no more hiding behind work and success. It was time to face the consequences of his actions and to fight for the only thing that truly mattered—his family.