Chapter 7
Jasmine’s eyes turned even redder when she saw Rowena. She said tearfully, “I’m sorry, Mom and Dad. I’m sorry, Roland. We can be family again in my next lifetime!”
She slashed her wrists, deeper this time. Blood poured out. She smiled in despair and shut her eyes.
“Jasmine!” everyone shouted in unison, looking panicked. They ran to her and held her.
A note fell out of her clasped hand. On it was a simple sentence. “I like you, Jordan. Don’t get married, please.”
Everyone fell silent at that. Roland was the first to speak. “Let’s take Jasmine to the hospital!”
The others snapped to their senses and fluttered around like headless chickens. Finally, Jordan hoisted Jasmine into his arms while Melinda tried to stop the bleeding. She wanted nothing more than to endure the pain on Jasmine’s behalf when she saw the latter’s furrowed brows.
The group left in a hurry, and Rowena silently returned to her room. She’d expected this to happen.
…
Everyone was back home when Rowena woke up the following morning. They sat around her bed, looking at her in concern.
“Do your wounds still hurt, Ro?” Melinda blew on the scratches on Rowena’s palm, her touch light as she changed the bandage.
Roland sat nearby, peeling an apple. Philip had someone bring him a teddy bear, which he placed by Rowena’s bedside.
He said, “You could never fall asleep without a teddy bear, Ro. Your old one has gone missing, so I’ve gotten you a new one.”
Jordan brought her a tray of nutritious food for her breakfast. He even wanted to feed her.
“I made this for you, Ro. They’re all your favorites, so have a taste.”
Rowena almost thought she’d traveled back in time when she saw how nice they were being to her. This was how they’d treated her when she’d been sick in the past. For a moment, she couldn’t help drowning in this fake warmth.
The four were relieved after she finished her breakfast and looked much more relaxed.
Melinda asked in trepidation, “Are you feeling better now, Ro?”
Rowena instantly extricated herself from the warmth when she saw the expectant looks on their faces.
“What do you guys really want? Let’s hear it.”
They exchanged looks and hesitated.
After a while, Melinda finally spoke up. “Our hearts are breaking for Jasmine, Ro. The silly thing adored Jordan but didn’t dare say anything because she didn’t want to take him from you.
“Still, she couldn’t take it when she heard you two were getting married. That’s why she tried to take her life. Her biggest wish is to have a wedding with Jordan, even if it’s fake. Can you… can you grant her wish?”
Jordan hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, Ro. It’s just a fake wedding to make her wish come true. You’re the only one I love—that will never change.”
Roland added, “You and Jordan grew up together, Ro. Shouldn’t you have faith in him? This is Jasmine’s only wish—let it come true.”
“Exactly. Jasmine isn’t the healthiest—she might do something extreme if her wish isn’t granted,” Philip said.
They thought they would have to spend a long time persuading Rowena, but she calmly said, “Sure. Do whatever you want.”
She wanted to tell Jordan that she didn’t even care if he actually married Jasmine. With that, she coldly chased them out of her room.
Chapter 8
The house was decorated for the happy occasion.
“Are you really going to get married? I didn’t expect it to come so soon.” Melinda held Jasmine’s hand, unable to stop herself from tearing up.
Philip was on the phone with someone, making the arrangements for the wedding venue’s decorations. Roland called family and friends to inform them of the wedding. Jordan even dropped all his work to focus on planning the wedding.
It was fake, but they were making it such a grand occasion. Would anyone believe it was just for show?
Rowena silently walked past them, seemingly not seeing what they were doing. No one noticed her, anyway.
…
It was Jasmine’s birthday after a few days.
“You might not want to make a big deal out of it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate. We prepared plenty of gifts for you—we’re sure you’ll love it.”
Melinda and Philip gave Jasmine a wedding gown while speaking to her. “You’re about to get married soon; you’re a young lady now. We prepared your wedding gown—take a look and see whether you like it.”
Roland gave her a lucky charm. “I got this after prayers at church. I wish you and Jordan all the happiness in the world, Jasmine.”
Jordan pulled out a ring box like he was performing a magic trick. He looked at Jasmine tenderly as he placed it before her. “This is our wedding ring, Jasmine. I had it made according to your ring size.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise, her eyes turning red because she was so moved. “Thank you, guys. And thank you, Jordan.”
They happily sang her a birthday song, and she shut her eyes as she made her wish. “I’m about to get married, even if it’s fake. I still wish Jordan will give me a kiss.”
She opened her eyes, and tears filled them. She looked at Rowena, who stood apart from them. “Can you let Jordan kiss me, Ro?”
Rowena still looked numb. She said calmly, “Go ahead.”
She’d readily agreed to let Jordan and Jasmine have a fake wedding that day, and everyone had immediately thrown themselves into the preparations because they were afraid Jasmine would do something extreme.
Only now did Jordan notice something was amiss with Rowena. She hadn’t just readily agreed—she seemed like she didn’t even care anymore. She didn’t care that he was having a wedding, and she didn’t care who he was marrying. In fact, she didn’t care about him anymore.
His heart clenched. He was about to say something, but Roland said, “It’s Jasmine’s birthday today, so we have to fulfill whatever wish she has. Give her a kiss, Jordan.”
Melinda and Philip chimed in, “Yes, since it’s her birthday, she should get her way. Go on, Jordan.”
Jordan hesitated. However, when he saw the tears stream down Jasmine’s face, he ultimately leaned down and held her. He pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. It was fleeting, but the Shores clapped happily.
Rowena smiled at that and grabbed some food from the kitchen. She headed back upstairs after eating, leaving the commotion behind.
…
Three days before her departure, Rowena tidied all her belongings that carried memories she’d shared with her parents, Roland, and Jordan. There were thousands of photos and countless gifts. She threw them all into a gigantic box.
Then, she left the house and threw it into the trash without hesitation. She’d completely given up on the Shores and Jordan. She no longer harbored any hope for them.
As she turned to head back inside, she ran into Jordan, who had dropped by. He asked, “What did you just throw away, Ro?”
“Just some trash.” She looked at him indifferently.
For some reason, his heart jolted, and he felt a little panicked.
He hurried forward and held her wrist, saying tenderly, “Jasmine attempted suicide not too long ago, Ro. She hasn’t been emotionally stable, so I only kissed her to appease her. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Then, he handed her a wedding invitation. “Join us at the wedding. I guarantee Jasmine and I won’t do anything out of line—the wedding is just for show.”
The wedding was being held on the tenth, which was the date of her departure. Rowena looked at the invitation silently, but Jordan took that to mean she would attend. He sighed in relief and left to continue preparing for the wedding.
