Chapter 257
Chapter 257:
“Jasmine!” I said more urgently, gripping her shoulders gently but firmly. “Look at me. It’s Ryder. I’ve got you p>
Her eyes flickered, the fear slowly giving way to confusion. Then, like a wave crashing into the shore, recognition finally dawned. She blinked, her gaze locking onto mine, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe.
“R-Ryder?” Her voice was weak, cracked.
“Yeah, it’s me, baby,” I murmured, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “You’re safe. He’s not here p>
Her body sagged, the tension leaving her muscles all at once. She crumbled into my arms, her fingers clutching at my shirt like I was the only thing keeping her tethered to reality.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I can’t… I can’t stop seeing him p>
Her words pierced through me, each one a dagger to my chest. “It’s not your fault,” I choked out, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You didn’t do anything wrong p>
But that didn’t stop the guilt from eating me alive. I should’ve been faster. I should’ve protected her. I should’ve ripped Jason apart before he ever got the chance to touch her.
I held her tighter, my hands shaking. “I swear to you, Jasmine, I’ll find a way to make this right. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll get him out of your mind, out of your life p>
She didn’t respond, just buried her face deeper into my chest. Her silent tears soaked through my shirt, each drop a reminder of how much she was hurting. And I was powerless to stop it.
The faint mark on her neck mocked me, a symbol of my failure. Ace’s growl rumbled in my mind, the need for vengeance clawing at my insides. But revenge wouldn’t heal her. It wouldn’t take away the memories that haunted her.
I leaned my forehead against hers, closing my eyes as I whispered, “I love you, Jasmine. No matter what’s happened, no matter how long it takes, I’ll be here. You’re mine, and I’m not letting you go p>
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Ryder’s POV
My head is throbbing. Actually, scratch that. My entire body feels like it’s in pain. Not the kind of pain you shake off. No, this is the kind that burrows into your bones and makes a home there. My chest feels tight, like someone’s squeezing the air out of me, slow and relentless.
I stand outside Dr. Lee’s office, trying to breathe, but every inhale feels like glass shards scraping down my throat. I didn’t know a heart could physically hurt like this. Didn’t know you could feel so hollow, like someone carved out the best parts of you and left you empty. Dr. Lee’s words are still ringing in my ears, each one like a punch I can’t block.
She didn’t reject him.
The air around me feels cold, sharp. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms, but it doesn’t ground me. Nothing does. Ace is a storm inside me, pacing, growling, his pain blending with mine until we’re just one mess of rage and heartbreak.
She didn’t reject him.
I want to scream, but my throat won’t cooperate. My jaw is locked so tight, I think it might crack. I thought I knew what losing felt like. I’ve lost battles, made bad calls, taken hits that left scars. But this? This is something else. This is losing her.