THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 27: Shattered Hopes

Jasmine had always believed in second chances. After Emil's mother passed away, she saw a side of him that reminded her of the man she had fallen in love with all those years ago. In his grief, Emil had leaned on Jasmine, and she, in turn, found herself drawn back to him. She had promised him that she would stay by his side, that they would move forward together and raise their daughter in a home filled with love.

For a time, it seemed like their fractured relationship was healing. Emil began making an effort to spend more time with her, doing things she had always wished he would. They shared quiet mornings in the garden, strolled through the nursery as they made plans for their daughter's arrival, and even laughed together again. Emil was attentive and caring, and Jasmine found herself smiling more often, allowing herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could start over.

One evening, as they sat together on the couch, Emil took her hand and spoke with a softness she hadn't heard in a long time. "I want to make this mansion our home, Jasmine. A place where our daughter can grow up happy and loved. We can decorate her room together, and when she arrives, she'll have everything she needs."

Jasmine felt a warmth in her heart, a flicker of hope. "I love that idea, Emil. It sounds perfect," she replied, squeezing his hand.

But that flicker of hope was fleeting. Just as she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of happiness, the harsh reality of their world came crashing down.

The day Jasmine went into labor started like any other. She was calm, feeling the usual flutter of anticipation as the contractions began. Emil had left for his office, promising to return as soon as he could. Jasmine knew he was trying to wrap up his work before the baby arrived, wanting to be fully present when their daughter was born.

But as the contractions grew stronger, and the time drew nearer, Emil was nowhere to be found. Jasmine's anxiety increased, and she began to worry. Where was he?

At the same moment, miles away in Emil's office, chaos was unfolding. Emil had just received a call from his staff, informing him that Jasmine was going into labor. He was ready to drop everything and rush to her side when the door to his office burst open.

Police officers swarmed the room, their voices commanding and authoritative. Emil barely had time to process what was happening before he was handcuffed, accused of crimes he hadn't even imagined. He tried to resist, tried to tell them that he needed to be with his wife, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

As he was led out of the building, the flashing lights of cameras and the shouting of reporters greeted him. Emil's arrest was broadcasted live, the news spreading like wildfire.

Back at the hospital, Jasmine was still waiting, the contractions becoming more intense with each passing minute. She glanced at the clock, expecting Emil to walk through the door at any moment, his usual confident stride calming her nerves.

But instead of Emil's comforting presence, Jasmine's phone buzzed with notifications. With trembling hands, she picked it up and was met with headlines that made her heart stop.

"Billionaire Emil Langston Arrested in Money Laundering Scandal."

The room spun around her as she read the words, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to call Emil, desperate to hear his voice, but there was no answer. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that he wouldn't be coming. Not now, maybe not ever.

As she was wheeled into the delivery room, Jasmine felt an overwhelming sense of loss. The man she had just begun to trust again was being taken away from her, just as they were about to welcome their child into the world. The happiness they had started to build was crumbling, leaving her to face the birth of their daughter alone.

In the midst of the most profound moment of her life, Jasmine couldn't help but feel a deep, aching sadness. The future she had envisioned was slipping through her fingers, replaced by uncertainty and fear.

And as she brought Lily into the world, she did so with a broken heart, wondering how she would navigate the challenges ahead without Emil by her side.