The Day My Engagement Died

“Jasmine, I’ve made a decision.”

Christopher stood stiffly in front of the hospital bed. His gaze was cold, showing no longing or relief at all that Jasmine had finally woken up. A few days ago, the woman had nearly lost her life. But now, the man standing before her looked like a complete stranger.

Still weak, Jasmine slowly turned her head. Her face felt stiff, sore, and heavy beneath the stitches that still covered her skin. But the most painful thing was not the physical pain—it was the tone of the man standing before her.

“What decision?” she asked softly, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Christopher let out a short breath, then looked at Jasmine’s face with an expression he did not even try to hide—disgust. “I can’t continue this relationship. We can’t get married.”

Those words struck Jasmine harder than the accident that had nearly taken her life.

“What do you mean?” Her voice trembled. “We already planned our wedding. I’m still the same person, Chris.”

“You’re not the same anymore,” Christopher cut in coldly. “Your face has changed. I can’t live my life with someone who—” He paused briefly, then continued without empathy. “I’ve already found someone more suitable.”

Jasmine’s breath caught. “Who?”

“Valentina,” Christopher answered shortly. “Your stepsister will be my wife.”

Jasmine’s world seemed to collapse at that very moment.

A few days earlier, the night of her twenty-fifth birthday was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of her life. She went home alone after the party ended. The road was quiet, dark, and winding. The car’s headlights were the only source of light in the stillness of the night. A light drizzle fell. The asphalt became slippery. Everything happened so fast.

Jasmine’s car lost control at a sharp turn. The tires skidded, the steering wheel could no longer be controlled. Within seconds, the car rolled violently, crashing into the road barrier before finally flipping over.

The impact caused her head to slam into the steering wheel. Glass shattered. Blood flowed heavily from her face, soaking her neck and the party dress she was still wearing. Jasmine tried to move, but her body did not respond. Her vision blurred, her ears rang with the sound of horns and screeching brakes from other vehicles that suddenly stopped.

Excruciating pain spread across her face and entire body. Slowly, her consciousness faded.

Emergency surgery was performed that very night. Severe injuries to Jasmine’s face caused serious damage. The doctor explained that stitches and reconstruction were unavoidable. Jasmine’s father agreed to the medical procedures without hesitation.

Christopher, upon hearing about the accident, remained silent. There was uneasiness in his chest—not because he was afraid of losing Jasmine, but because of something far more selfish.

Now, several days after regaining consciousness, Jasmine finally realized the cruelest reality. With trembling hands, she touched her own face. The bandages, the stitches, and the unfamiliar stiffness made her chest feel tight.

But before she could fully sink into her sorrow, Christopher shattered her even further with that unilateral decision. Jasmine stared at the man who had once promised to marry her. Tears fell silently.

“My heart hasn’t changed, Christopher,” she said softly. “I still love you.”

But Christopher only looked away. “Love alone isn’t enough. I can’t live with a woman who—”

The words hung in the air, and Jasmine already understood what he meant. That night, it was not only the engagement that ended, but also the entire life Jasmine had built with a man who had never truly loved her.

“No, that’s not possible,” Jasmine said softly while shaking her head in disbelief.

“Haha, Jasmine, you’re not worthy of being Christopher’s wife. You’re already useless.” Valentina suddenly entered arrogantly with a cruel smile.

“Yes, Jasmine, you have to accept reality. Valentina is more worthy of being Christopher’s wife,” Florentina chimed in. She was none other than Jasmine’s stepmother. She stood behind Valentina, glaring cynically at Jasmine.

“What do you mean? Do you think I’m not worthy?” Jasmine protested, feeling humiliated. She could not accept Florentina’s words.

“You truly are no longer worthy of standing by my side, Jasmine. This is my decision. I refuse to marry a woman who is no longer beautiful!” Christopher said without showing the slightest pity for Jasmine.

Jasmine was completely shocked by the words of the man she loved so deeply. Her eyes felt hot and stung, as if flames were burning inside them. Tears began to pool at the corners of her eyes, but she tried to hold them back. Jasmine did not want to cry in front of the people who had destroyed her.

Liam Maximus, Jasmine’s biological father, looked on flatly without any expression. “Jasmine, you must accept Christopher’s decision. Valentina will be Christopher’s wife, and you must support them.”

Jasmine felt as though she was being crushed all at once. Her own biological father did not take her side? “Father… how could you? I am your child.” She stared blankly, her eyes filled with tears.

To be continued…