I Bled in Silence, You Died in Guilt

I slowly opened my eyes. Before I could even sit, Jasper noticed and rushed over to help me up gently. "Hazel, are you okay?"

His eyes were filled with worry and it didn't seem fake. But if I hadn't heard his conversation with Dr. Harris with my own ears, I might not have known until now that he was the one who planned all this.

He knew I'd always wanted to marry him and have children, yet he cruelly made sure I could never get pregnant.

My heart throbbed with pain. Jasper suddenly got onto the bed and hugged me, his shoulders broad, his large hands pressing me into his embrace.

This was the same way he used to comfort me whenever I got hurt because of him.

When I was in his arms, my wounds didn't hurt anymore. It was like magic washed away all the pain.

Yet now, that magic was broken. His body heat radiated onto me, but my hands and feet remained cold, unable to feel any warmth at all.

Jasper seemed oblivious. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice gentle as he coaxed me, "Hazel, are you in a lot of pain? Are you uncomfortable?"

He used to feel worse than I did whenever I got hurt. Whenever he asked, I always bit back the pain and told him I was fine. That a hug from him would make everything better.

Sadly, Jasper believed this. So, every time I was injured, he would hug me as if he were healing my wounds.

It moved me, but he believed I would not feel any pain. Tears fell and I cried for the first time.

The physical pain was nothing compared to the thousandth of the ache in my heart. "Jasper, I hurt so much. It really, really hurts."

Jasper looked shocked as if he didn't expect me to be like this. He reached out and patted my back, looking at me with pity.

Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.

Jasper seemed hesitant to answer, but then he saw the name on the screen. He immediately grabbed his phone, pushing me away. "Be good, the company is calling. Wait for me here."

Jasper left quickly, but I knew the caller was his secretary, Yvonne Lake.

I watched his retreating back and followed him. In the corridor, Yvonne said softly, "Jasper, is Hazel okay?"

Jasper, who had just been so concerned for me, suddenly scoffed. All traces of his earlier pity vanished, replaced by a sarcastic tone.

"Of course she's fine. She's always been able to endure pain. She just cried to make me feel guilty; I've seen that little trick countless times."