Chapter 17
The glow of the honeymoon still lingered on my skin–like sunshine I didn’t want to shake off The taste of ocean air of freedom and belonging all at once, still danced on my lips.
Rozen and I had spent a week wrapped in each other, our world reduced to the warmth of share laughter, lingering glances, and whispered confessions on his private island. No past. No pain. Just us
But reality as always waited with open arms.
I was back at the office with Alice, slipping into the rhythm of corporate meetings, presentations and coffee runs. The city’s buzz greeted me like an old acquaintance. Familiar. Demanding, Still, I smiled as I flipped through reports. My fingers swiped at the tablet, and I reached for my phone out of habit. I hadn’t checked it in hours.
Twelve missed calls.
Twenty–four messages
All from Rozen
Where are you?
You didn’t reply
Meeting with who?
Send me your agenda.
Jasmine.
Don’t ignore me.
Client? Male?
I blinked, heart skipping. Possessiveness oozed from every line. Normally, I’d be annoyed. But a strange warmth crept into my chest.
He was obsessed. With me. And part of me liked it.
I quickly typed a reply, trying not to smile.
Sorry, I’ve been in back–to–back meetings. Just finished one with a potential client. Male, yes. But it’s business, Rozen. Calm down.
His reply came instantly.
Can you not take male clients? Just… avoid them.
I stared at the screen, unsure whether to laugh or be mad. Was he serious?
Before I could respond, Alice peeked over the stack of folders. “You okay?”
“Rozen,” I murmured, shaking my head.
“Still obsessed?” she asked with a teasing grin.
I tried not to show the turmoil stirring in my gut. “Apparently, he wants me to quit work and stay home.”
“Wow. Big alpha energy.” Alice chuckled, then turned serious. “But you won’t, right?”
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“No,” I said flatly, slipping my phone into my drawer. “I built this career. I won’t throw it awa because of his insecurities.”
I focused back on the documents, but my stomach had tightened. I didn’t want to argue with hin -not after the honeymoon. Not when things were finally feeling real between us.
I just needed to get through this day. But when the glass door to my office opened, I looked up- startled.
Rozen.
In my office.
In the middle of the day. He didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, jaw tense, eyes fixed on me like he had crossed continents just to confirm I was still his.
I stood up, heart pounding. “Rozen?”
“You didn’t reply,” he said, voice low but rough with frustration.
“I was working,” I replied carefully. “You didn’t have to come all the way here.”
“I did. You think I could sit still after you said you had meetings with male clients?”
I stared at him, stunned. “Rozen. I told you it was business.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
I crossed my arms. “So you came here to check up on me?”
“I came here because I was worried. You didn’t reply. You ignored me.”
“I was working!”
He stepped closer. “Do you know what it does to me when I don’t hear from you? When I don’t know where you are?”
I backed away, breathing sharp. “This is too much, Rozen. You’re being too possessive.”
His jaw clenched. “You’re mine, Jasmine. I can’t help it.”
I laughed bitterly. “This isn’t love. This is control.”
“It’s not control,” he said softly. “It’s fear.”
| froze.
He stepped closer, more gently this time. “I’ve been scared every second since I realized I love you. That I could lose you. That someone else could have what I do.”
‘I’m not Mina,” I said, voice trembling.
Rozen went still.
I met his eyes. “I know she cheated on you. I know she broke you. But I’m not her. Don’t project her betrayal onto me. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me.”
His mouth parted slightly, as if my words knocked the air out of him.
“I’m not her,” I repeated. “And if you don’t trust me, Rozen… then we won’t work.”
Silence.
Raw and heavy.
Then Rozen looked down, one hand on the back of his neck. “I know you’re not her.”
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“Then stop treating me like I’ll leave.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, finally. “I didn’t realize I was doing that. I just… I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” I whispered. “Not unless you push me away.”
He nodded, slowly. “You’re right.”
“I love my work. I need it. And I need you to respect that.”
“I will,” he said. “I promise.”
We stood there, tension dissolving, the air between us clearing. He looked at me like he’d never seen me before. Like he was finally seeing the woman who loved him, not the ghost of someone who didn’t.
“Come here,” he murmured.
I stepped into his arms, my cheek against his chest. His heart thundered. And somehow, despite the chaos of emotions, I felt safe.
After a few breaths, I pulled back. “Next time you get jealous, maybe try texting once or twice. Not hiring a jet and storming into my office.”
He laughed. “No promises.”
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.
“Now go home,” I said, nudging him toward the door. “Let me finish the day.”
He kissed my forehead. “Dinner later?”
“Yes.”
“Just us?”
I gave him a look.
He chuckled. “Fine. Just checking.”
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