Perishing in Her Least Loving Moment

Part 5

"William," Hank's eyes bore into mine. Just as I opened my mouth, he cut me off, silencing the words that nearly slipped out.

"I heard you're a fan of Jasmin."

"She's come so far. You must be proud of her, right?"

I hesitated for a moment before giving a slow nod.

Jasmin didn't notice the panic rising in me; she seemed lost in thought, trapped in some distant memory.

It wasn't until Hank gently wrapped his arms around her that she blinked, snapping back to the present.

Jasmin tilted her head slightly, her gaze softening as she looked up at Hank. Her eyes glimmered with a quiet, restrained affection.

"After I filmed End of Days Love, the director helped me hire a lawyer to fight my old company, and I even found my real parents." She turned to me, her voice steady. "But my luck only truly changed when I met Hank."

Then, her eyes shifted back to me.

"I've always wanted to hear your story. You and Dr. Claire— you're not lovers, are you?"

"My story..." The words caught in my throat. How could I explain the tangled mess of our past? "My story has been prettied up for the cameras, glossed over. There's nothing worth telling."

"There was someone... someone who loved me more than anything in the world. And I..." I swallowed hard. "I loved her just as much."

"But then... she disappeared."

A faint frown creased Jasmin's brow.

"Did you ever try to find her?"

"She's an orphan, like me—no family, no home. The orphanage we grew up in was demolished, the director retired and moved away. There's no one left who remembers us. Since we weren't married, I didn't have the right to file a missing person's report. I went to the police more times than I can count, but they only offered sympathy, telling me to be strong. That I'd meet someone better."

I lowered my head, my chest tightening.

"But I know... there will never be anyone better than her."

The cameraman, sensing the weight of my words, spoke up gently.

"You could tell us her name. We could help you search."

Silence.

The urge to confess welled up in my throat like a bitter pill I couldn't swallow. It lodged there, sharp and painful.

I glanced at Hank's arm wrapped protectively around Jasmin's waist, and at the peaceful smile gracing her face—a smile of true, unfeigned happiness.

That wasn't acting. It was real.

Hank broke the moment, his voice light but firm.

"Alright, alright. The past is the past. It's time to let go."

"From now on, it's all about happiness. Jasmin, I'll always be here for you." He turned to me, flashing a sincere smile.

"William, I hope you recover soon. If you need anything, let my assistant know—I'll be there for you. Jasmin and I are getting married soon, and it's thanks to your story that we even met."

"Will you give us your blessing?"

Hank's request shattered any hope I had of saying what I truly felt. I swallowed my words, letting them bleed out inside me.

Jasmin's eyes were full of concern, and it took all my strength to breathe, to speak.

"I wish you both..." My voice trembled, the weight of it nearly too much to bear. "I wish you..."

Fighting against the crushing pressure in my chest, I forced out the words.

"I wish you peace and happiness in all the days to come. May all your dreams come true."

I love Jasmin.

How could I possibly wish her joy with another man?

After they left, I tasted the bitter tang of blood in my mouth. I had bitten my tongue without realizing it.

Claire slipped into the room, her expression unreadable. Shadows flickered behind her eyes.

"Why didn't you just tell her?"

I buried my face in the sheets.

"Being with me would only hold Jasmin back. She's finally found her place in the world, a bright, shining future. I can't be so selfish... I can't drag her back into the darkness."

"As long as she's happy... that's all that matters."