Remember That Hurt

Chapter 4 The woman Ethan loves the most

　　She's back?!

　　Panic and fear crashed over Anna like waves in a storm.

　　"I don't know you."

　　Her fingers dug into her palms, nails cutting into flesh. She'd rather bleed than admit she'd already lost to this woman.

　　Jasmine Donovan's expression didn't change. Her smile was polite—too polite.

　　"Guess I should've introduced myself first."

　　Her lips curled, tone casual. "I'm Jasmine. The woman Ethan loves the most." She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, her whole posture suddenly assertive and sharp.

　　The woman he loved most?

　　Anna's mind flashed to every morning call, every gentle word Ethan spoke over the phone. She'd always wondered who the woman on the other end was, wishing it could've been her. And now, the answer was staring her down.

　　Envy scorched through her like fire.

　　Jasmine gave her a quick glance and went on without missing a beat, her voice calm, almost indifferent.

　　"I've known Ethan since we were kids. Grew up with him, always by his side…"

　　"In college, he proposed to me. But his granddad hated that I was just a low-tier model. Didn't think I was good enough."

　　She paused for a breath that sounded more like bitterness.

　　"We made a deal. He'd stay back to run the company, and I'd go overseas to chase my dreams."

　　"All these years, I trained like crazy. Every single day, just to make it back to him faster."

　　"Just a few more years, and we could've had our future."

　　"Then you showed up... and ruined everything."

　　Her voice rose, eyes glinting with rage as she grabbed Anna's shoulders, nails biting into her skin.

　　"I tore myself apart busting my ass overseas for him. For us."

　　"And what did I get?! I even convinced the man I love to marry someone else—for his career!"

　　"You have any idea what that feels like? Huh?!"

　　Tears burned in Jasmine's eyes as she stared at Anna, hands trembling with fury.

　　Anna hissed in pain, her body flinching under Jasmine's grip. But deep down, that anger in her heart had disappeared.

　　"I'm sorry."

　　At the end of the day, she was the selfish one—forcing herself into his life when she should've stayed away.

　　Jasmine stared at her in silence, breathing slowly as her emotions settled.

　　"Did you know… two years ago, I'm the one who told Ethan to marry you?"

　　Anna's head whipped up, eyes wide. "Why?"

　　"You think I wanted to?" Jasmine scoffed, gazing at her like she was pathetic.

　　"If it wasn't to stop Ethan from breaking with his grandfather completely and losing Donovan Corp's future, I would've never let it happen."

　　"These past two years—being hated, ignored by him—must've been fun for you, huh?"

　　"You!" Anna couldn't believe the venom in her voice, not from someone who looked this flawless.

　　"Sign it," Jasmine said coldly, pulling divorce papers from her bag and slapping them down.

　　Just the thought of Anna being Ethan's second wife made her blood boil. But she could wait—she'd make sure Anna signed those papers first.

　　"I won't sign!" Anna smacked the document away and, seeing a chance, bolted for the door.

　　Jasmine wasn't fast enough.

　　By the time she chased her to the stairs, all she managed was to grab Anna's wrist.

　　"Let go!" Anna struggled wildly. Jasmine's grip wasn't strong.

　　But just as Anna broke free, Jasmine lost her balance—and tumbled down the stairs.

　　"Jasmine!!"