THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 30: Walls Between Us

Jasmine arrived at the detention center looking fragile, having given birth just a day ago. Her face was pale, her body clearly weak, but her determination was unshaken. With Steven's help, she managed to see Emil, who was waiting anxiously behind the glass partition.

As soon as their eyes met, Emil's heart sank. "Jasmine, what are you doing here? You should be in the hospital, recovering," he said, his voice filled with concern and confusion.

Jasmine's voice trembled as she responded, "And you should be home, with your daughter. You should be there for her, for us. How could you let this happen, Emil? How could you be here when she needs you the most?"

Emil looked down, unable to meet her gaze. Her words cut through him like a knife. "I didn't want this. I never wanted this. You know that."

Jasmine's eyes filled with tears as she leaned closer to the glass. "Then why, Emil? Why are you here? Why did you get involved in something so dangerous, so reckless? Is this what you've become? A man who takes shortcuts, who risks everything for success?"

Emil's throat tightened. He couldn't tell her the truth—that Dae Ho, the man she once trusted, was behind this. He knew she wouldn't believe him, not after everything that had happened. Instead, he stared at her, speechless, as the reality of their shattered life loomed over them.

"I wanted to believe in you, Emil. I wanted to believe that you could change, that you could be the man I once loved," Jasmine continued, her voice breaking. "But this... this isn't the man I fell in love with. This isn't the father our daughter deserves."

Emil's heart ached as he saw the pain in her eyes, the disappointment that he had caused. He knew she was right, but the weight of his mistakes left him paralyzed. "Steven will take care of the company, and he'll make sure you're both looked after," he finally said, his voice hollow and distant.

Jasmine shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "It's not about the company, Emil. It's about us. It's about our daughter. She needs her father, and I needed you to be the man you promised you would be."

Emil's resolve wavered, but he forced himself to remain stoic. "I'm sorry, Jasmine. I never wanted to hurt you or our daughter. But this is where I am now, and I can't change that."

Jasmine pressed her hand against the glass, as if trying to reach out to him one last time. "I loved you, Emil. I really did. But I can't keep doing this. I can't keep believing in a man who's no longer there."

Emil watched helplessly as Steven gently guided Jasmine away, her cries echoing in his ears long after she was gone.

As she disappeared from view, Emil turned to Steven, who remained behind, waiting for instructions. His face was a mask of concern, his loyalty unwavering despite the chaos around them.

"Steven," Emil began, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation, "I need you to keep everything running smoothly at the company. Make sure the investors don't panic, and keep the media at bay as much as possible. The last thing we need is a full-blown scandal."

Steven nodded, his expression grim. "I'll take care of it, Mr. Langston. You have my word. But... what about Jasmine and the baby?"

Emil's eyes softened at the mention of them, the thought of what he was missing tearing at his heart. "Look after them for me. Make sure they have everything they need. If Jasmine wants to move, help her find a place. I don't want them to suffer because of my mistakes."

Steven hesitated, then asked, "And what about your defense? We need to build a strong case if we're going to fight this."

Emil clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "We will fight this, Steven. But I need to be honest with you—this isn't just about business. Dae Ho is after more than just my downfall. He wants to take everything from me, including Jasmine."

Steven's eyes widened in shock. "Are you saying this is personal?"

"It always has been," Emil replied bitterly. "But I can't drag Jasmine into this any further. Just... do what you can to protect them. That's all I ask."

Steven gave a firm nod. "I'll do everything in my power, Mr. Langston. But don't give up. We'll find a way to get you out of this."

Emil watched as Steven left, the burden of his responsibilities pressing down on him even harder. He was alone again, the cold, unforgiving walls of the detention center closing in around him. All he could do now was wait—and hope that somehow, some way, he could find a path back to the life he had so recklessly endangered.