THE FORGOTTEN DAD

Chapter 52: Unspoken Longings

Jasmine stretched out on the warm sands of Perhentian Island, the salty breeze tangling in her hair as she gazed at the endless horizon. The waves lapped at the shore in rhythmic succession, and for a brief moment, it almost felt like the universe was lulling her into peace. But no matter how tranquil the scenery, she couldn't shake the turmoil inside her.

She had chosen this island to escape, hoping the exotic beauty of Malaysia could offer some solace. The thick, tropical heat and the crystal-clear waters were the perfect contrast to the cities she had once called home—New York's sharp edges and Seoul's ceaseless energy. Here, she thought she could run from it all. But Eva—her sweet little girl—remained on her mind. The longer Jasmine stayed away, the more she felt the hollow ache in her heart grow.

It had been a week since she'd left Eva in Emil's care. At first, she had convinced herself that she needed this time apart to breathe. To think. To figure out who she was without the constant noise of her responsibilities. But the silence was deafening. She missed Eva—her laughter, her mischievous little smile, the way she looked at her with those wide, innocent eyes that carried so much of Emil in them.

With a sigh, Jasmine reached for her phone, its familiar weight grounding her. She had turned it off when she left, avoiding any connection to the outside world, any reminders of the chaos that had led her to flee. But now, her fingers hesitated as she switched it on. The screen lit up, immediately buzzing with missed calls and messages. Most of them were from Emil.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she scrolled through the notifications, her anxiety spiking. Why had he called so many times? Was something wrong with Eva? Panic gripped her as she quickly dialed Emil's number, the video call connecting almost instantly.

Emil's face appeared on the screen, his expression serious, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with an urgency that made Jasmine's stomach twist.

Her pulse raced. "What happened? Is Eva okay? Did something happen to her?" The words came out in a rush, her panic clear.

Emil's expression softened, his brows knitting together in confusion. "No, no. Eva's fine, Jasmine. I've just been trying to reach you. She's been asking about you, and I wasn't sure where you'd gone."

Jasmine exhaled shakily, relief flooding through her. "Thank God." She placed a hand on her chest, steadying herself. "Can I see her? Please?"

Emil's face softened, and without hesitation, he called for Eva. A moment later, Jasmine's heart melted as her daughter's bright face appeared on the screen, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her mother.

"Mommy!" Eva squealed, her excitement palpable. "I miss you so much!"

Jasmine's throat tightened with emotion. "I miss you too, sweetheart," she said softly, a tender smile spreading across her lips. She turned the camera, showing the stunning view of the beach. "Look where I am, Eva. Isn't it beautiful?"

Eva's eyes widened as she gazed at the breathtaking scenery. "Wow! Mommy, that's so pretty! Can I come too? I want to see the ocean!"

Jasmine chuckled, her heart swelling with love. "Maybe one day, sweetie. I'll take you somewhere just like this."

Before Jasmine could say more, Emil's voice broke in. "I can bring her to you, Jasmine. I've been meaning to take her on a trip, and Malaysia seems like a good place to spend the summer."

Jasmine's heart skipped a beat. The thought of seeing them both again tugged at her, but she quickly shook her head. "No, Emil. You don't have to. I don't want to burden you. It's too much trouble."

Emil's expression turned serious. "It's not a burden, Jasmine. I want to. I've been thinking about it for a while now, and Eva would love to see you. Why should we wait?"

Eva, listening in, squealed in delight. "Yay! Papa Emil says we can come see you, Mommy! I want to go now!"

Jasmine froze for a moment at Eva's use of the word 'Papa.' Her heart clenched, and her gaze flicked to Emil. Eva didn't know the truth yet, and Jasmine wasn't sure she was ready for that conversation.

Eva, blissfully unaware of the tension, ran off, leaving Jasmine and Emil alone on the call. The silence between them grew heavy, filled with everything they hadn't said.

"Jasmine," Emil finally said, his voice gentle but firm, "why didn't you tell me about the breakup with Dae Ho?"

Jasmine swallowed hard, her eyes drifting to the calm waves. "I didn't see the point," she admitted, her voice low. "Dae Ho's family always came first for him. I just... I didn't belong there. I realized that too late."

Emil's expression softened, and he shook his head slightly. "You're wrong, Jasmine. You're worth more than that. You've always put others before yourself. You're the kindest, most selfless person I know. Eva is lucky to have you."

Jasmine gave a bitter laugh, wiping at the tears that threatened to spill over. "Selfless? No, Emil. I've been selfish in my own ways. I wanted so much for myself—things that maybe I didn't deserve. I held on too tightly... to Eva, to Dae Ho... even to memories I should have let go of."

Emil's voice was quiet, filled with understanding. "You're not selfish, Jasmine. I see so much of you in Eva—the way she cares, the way she loves. That comes from you, not me."

Jasmine smiled through her tears. "You're wrong," she said softly. "I see you in her every day. The way she fights for what she wants. The way she's so stubborn. She gets that from you."

They both laughed, the sound bittersweet, mingling with the sound of the waves in the background. For a moment, they were just two people who knew each other better than anyone else—who had shared a life and a love that neither of them could fully forget.

The laughter faded, and a quiet, tender moment stretched between them. Jasmine's gaze lingered on Emil's face, the familiar lines of his jaw, the softness in his eyes. She had tried so hard to move on, to leave this part of her life behind, but the truth was, she had never really let him go.

"I'll see you soon," Emil said suddenly, his voice low but determined. "I'll bring Eva, and we'll come to you in Perhentian."

Jasmine's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this—for them. But before she could say anything, Emil smiled softly, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable.

"Summer in Malaysia sounds perfect."