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."

My breath caught. It felt like all the blood in my body had turned to ice. I didn't hear what Yvonne said next, but Jasper chuckled softly, his voice laced with affection.

"Alright. I'll come over tonight. Get cleaned up and wait for me in bed."

With that, he hung up the phone. My vision was already blurred, tears splashing onto the ground. I frantically wiped the tears from my face and rushed back to bed before he returned.

When Jasper returned, he glanced at his watch and looked at me with a troubled expression. "Hazel, something's come up at the company. I need to rush over there. I'll spend time with you tonight."

Was he going to the company, or would he be with Yvonne?

In the past, I would not want to affect his work and would let him go on with his work, but now I held back my tears and looked at him with a hint of pleading in my eyes.

"Please don't go. This is the first time I've ever begged you. Just stay with me, just this once."

As long as he didn't leave and was willing to stay, I would forgive him. As long as he didn't go find another woman.

Still, Jasper froze briefly before gently pushing me down by the shoulders. "What's wrong with you today? Be good, don't make a fuss!"

I gritted my teeth, my lips trembling slightly as I struggled to find the right words. But before I could speak, his phone buzzed. Jasper glanced at it and his expression softened instantly.

He grabbed his coat in a hurry and strode out without even glancing my way, just tossing back a single sentence as he left.

"Work's really busy. You're always so understanding. I'll bring you a surprise when I get back."

His decisive back, his hurried departure without so much as a backward glance, felt like a stab to my heart. I was left trembling from the pain.

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. After a while, I composed myself and booked a flight out of the country for three days later.

In those three days, I would sort through all our twentyyear memories together and then throw them away.

Jasper, you don't need to use many tactics to eliminate me. I'll grant your wish and disappear from your life.

Just then, my assistant sent me photos. As expected, Jasper went to Halveris Villa, which was originally under my name.

Jasper personally gave it to me when I was on the brink of death after taking a bullet for him. But three months ago, he said he lent it to a friend.

Now I knew that "friend" was a woman and it was Yvonne, the very woman I had once helped.

Seeing the photos of Yvonne and Jasper embracing eagerly the moment they met, my heart felt bonechillingly cold.

I suppressed the stabbing pain in my chest and forced a smile. "How long has this been going on?"

My assistant replied, "Hazel, I investigated. Miss Lake moved in three months ago. Didn't Mr. Sage tell you about this?"

"Mr. Sage told us not to say anything at the time. I thought you knew, so I didn't mention it to you."

My fingers clenched and I bit my lip until it almost bled, speaking each word distinctly. "From today on, no matter what happens, you must tell me."

After hanging up the phone, I collapsed weakly onto the hospital bed. Yvonne had appeared in my life just three months ago.

I was the one who had personally brought her into our company. I still remember finding her in desperate circumstances. She was kneeling by the roadside, selling herself to bury her father.

My heart went out to her. Not only did I take her in, but I also arranged for her parents' funeral. I even gave her a job at Sage Enterprise.

Little did I know I'd brought a viper into my home. I thought I was saving her from a life of prostitution, but now she's hooked up with Jasper behind my back.

I even regarded her as a sister in the past three months, pitied her situation and asked Jasper to care for her more.

She's just a little girl, but I didn't expect he would care for her even in bed.

A surge of betrayed anger choked me, making me feel like throwing up and unable to breathe.

I sat by the bed that night, waiting in vain for Jasper until dawn. It wasn't until the first light of morning touched the sky that he finally rushed into the hospital.

His shirt buttons were done up wrong and his tie was a complete mess. Jasper had always cared deeply about his appearance. He even had severe OCD, so there was no way he'd make mistakes like this.

Unless Yvonne Lake tied this … or perhaps I've just gone numb. I looked at him, feeling an unprecedented calm within.

I would be gone forever soon. I pressed my chest and told myself almost numbly that I would never feel pain again after I left.

Jasper remained completely unaware. He set the imperialstyle pastries on the table, his manner relaxed and natural.

"Remember these? They're your favorite pastries from that shop, the one you loved when we were dating. I bought them for you."

I looked at him. We used to have such a good relationship. He was so good that if I wanted these pastries, he'd go buy them for me, no matter how far away the shop was.

But ever since he started his own company, he has become swamped. He dedicated all his time to work and I was his subordinate during office hours.

We could only talk for a few minutes after work. And these pastries? He only ever bought them to apologize when he'd done something wrong to me.

The memory of the boy who once had eyes only for me faded further and further away. I looked at the exquisite pastries on the table, feeling incredibly ironic.

He suddenly hugged me from behind. The strong scent of lilies hit me and I felt a bit nauseous.

Yvonne loved lilies and used this exact perfume. Was he not even trying to hide it anymore?

My heart ached and I felt disgusted. I pushed him away. "Go take a shower first!"

He didn't think much of it. He sniffed himself. "Yeah, I do smell a bit. I'll go wash up."

Jasper pulled off his clothes and headed to the bathroom. That's when I noticed he wasn't wearing his ring and had a clear hickey on his neck.

We'd been together for years and I'd always wanted to marry him. Jasper had refused, saying he had many enemies and didn't want to involve me. He claimed he couldn't marry me to protect me.

Later, seeing that I was really uneasy, he took me to buy a DR ring that I could only buy once in my life.

I still remember how bright the sky was that day. He gave me the ring, then slipped his own onto his left ring finger and smiled. "Happy now?"

Afraid I still wouldn't trust him, he promised me with a firm expression. "This ring is proof of my love for you. I'll never take it off."

He also said he wasn't marrying me because of the dangers surrounding him. He once knelt before me and told me sincerely, "I will marry you when I eliminate the danger around me."

Now, he took off the ring, had another woman by his side and chose to be with Yvonne.

I took off the ring in my hand, suppressed the pain in my heart and put the ring in the box.

Since he had broken his vow and no longer loved me, I wouldn't continue to love him either.

Not long after Jasper came out of the bathroom, he seemed tired and lay down on the sofa.

He looked up at me, his eyes clearly hinting at something. In the past, whenever he came home from work exhausted, I would always dry his hair for him without waiting to be asked.

But this time, I averted my eyes and made no move to help, even turning to leave. Yet Jasper pulled me close, wrapping his arms around my waist in a playful, almost coquettish manner. His chin rested on my shoulder, our bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace, yet I felt no warmth from it.

To avoid raising his suspicions, I forced myself not to move. Then his fingers touched my belly and he murmured in a deep and intimate tone. "Hazel, do you want to have my child?"

A child?

I forced a smile. I could never have children again and he knew that. So why give me false hope?

My vision was blurred momentarily. At this moment, I hated him to the extreme. I desperately wanted to ask him why he was doing this to me.

But in the end, I just pulled his hand away and said calmly, "I'm a little tired."

After that, I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. Unfortunately, I couldn't sleep. The wound on my abdomen throbbed with pain.

When I opened my eyes again, I quietly sent all the company assets that were built by both of us over the years to my lawyer. So that he could create a separation agreement.

We founded Jasper's company together. At the beginning, he said he would give me all the assets. It had only been a few years, but things had changed.

In the years when I was uneasy, he personally drafted the contract. Even if we separated, he would give me half of the assets.

Now, I want to take what I deserve.

A while later, the mattress dipped slightly. He had finished drying his hair and lay down on the other side.

I pretended to be asleep, but then he suddenly crawled under the covers and hugged me tightly from behind.

His embrace still carried the scent of bath soap and his voice was low, tinged with a hint of grievance.

"Hazel, are you mad that I haven't been with you these past few days? I've just been really busy."

Busy? Busy sleeping with Yvonne? Feeling incredibly ironic, I clenched my fists and told myself there were still four days. After four days, we would never meet again.

He seemed to think I was truly asleep and he fell asleep shortly after.

I lay there with my eyes open the entire night. The next day, Jasper got up very early. While we were eating, I was surprised when Yvonne suddenly showed up.

She gave me a sweet, crescenteyed smile. "Hazel, I heard Jasper isn't working today, so I came to ask for his advice. You don't mind, right?"

Hearing this, Jasper, who was in the bathroom, strode out. When he saw her, his face changed slightly and quickly returned to normal. "Of course not."

He led Yvonne to the living room and the two of them talked as if no one was around. I didn't know what Jasper said to make Yvonne laugh.

I watched them, but I felt like they were strangers. Jasper had always been a man of few words. My father used to say he was sincere and honest, but he was just not very good at talking.

But now, Jasper was making Yvonne laugh nonstop. So this was how he loved someone; it felt both familiar and incredibly strange.

I walked over and the atmosphere froze for a moment. Yvonne looked up at me. "Hazel, my boyfriend is going to buy me a car. You should come help me pick one out."

I walked over, not wanting them to get suspicious and my breath caught. On the screen was an Audi A4L, the woman's car, which Jasper had bought at an auction.

At the time, I had been so excited, thinking he would give it to me. I waited a long time, but Jasper never said anything about it. I thought he was shy, so I went to the garage myself.

Before I could even touch it, Jasper saw me and reprimanded me, saying someone had asked him to buy it. He wiped the spot I had touched repeatedly with a handkerchief.

I didn't think much of it then, but now I knew this car wasn't for me, nor was it bought for someone else. It was for Yvonne.

My heart felt like ice. I kept telling myself that I'd be leaving soon and that it was just a car, so it wasn't worth getting upset over.

But the more I thought about it, the colder I felt. I'd been with Jasper for over twenty years, yet I couldn't compare to Yvonne, who had only been in his life for three months.

Seemingly noticing my gaze, Jasper seemed to remember something and explained, "Hazel, I told you about this car. Yvonne's boyfriend asked me to buy it."

His lie was so clumsy that I didn't even want to expose it.

I excused myself to the bathroom, splashing my face with cold water. I kept reminding myself that I'd be free of this place in just three days.

My phone buzzed suddenly. The lawyer had sent over the finalized agreement. I forwarded my resignation letter along with it to Jasper.

When I returned to the living room, Jasper saw the documents and immediately swiped the notification away. Then he looked up at me and asked.

"Is the document you sent urgent? I'll sign it after I help Evie pick out her car."

"Evie," that affectionate nickname from across the way. It's a shame I didn't realize what it meant back then.

I scoffed inwardly, composed myself and said calmly, "It's very urgent. I need you to sign it now."

Jasper frowned, seemingly annoyed. "Can't it wait a bit?"

"That's my resigna … " Before I could finish, Yvonne's voice cut me off. She looked sweet and considerate.

"Jasper, please sign the document first! The car can wait."

Only then did Jasper reopen the file. He barely glanced at it, quickly skimmed through a few lines, signed at the bottom and promptly sent it back to me.

Then, he went back to helping Yvonne look at cars. If Yvonne wasn't satisfied with something, he immediately agreed to have it customized.

At that moment, the man who always claimed to be too busy for me suddenly wasn't busy at all.

I looked at the document on my phone, a pang of bitterness in my chest. Was this Jasper's trust in me? Or was it just complete indifference?

Yvonne suddenly hugged my arm. "Hazel, could you lend me Jasper for a day? I want to customize the car, please?"

Before I could answer, Jasper spoke up. "Hazel's not the petty type. I'll go with you."

He picked up the car keys and left with Yvonne. As they walked out, he kept glancing back at her like he couldn't take his eyes off her.

I stood on the balcony, watching as they drove away. The car sped off and all the strength drained from my body.

Back in my room, I picked up the violet necklace Jasper had given me. It was a gift for my eighteenth birthday.

Back then, he was poor. He spent all his parttime earnings to buy me that necklace. He put it around my neck, his eyes tender and full of affection.

"Hazel, the violet symbolizes eternal love. I can't give you the best right now, but will you wait for me? I promise I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

I believed it, but over the years, as his status grew, my wounds increased.

The happiest woman? Now, he was a big shot, capable of making any woman in the world happy, but that woman was no longer me.

I took the necklace I'd treasured for years and tossed it into the trash without a second thought.

The fourleaf clover good luck bracelet, the nail polish, the dress, the cosmetics Jasper bought me and our love token.

I gathered everything that carried memories of us and put it up for free online.

Then, I headed to the office. I handed off my projects and files to others, packed my things and got ready to leave.

The office was abuzz with chatter. An employee couldn't help but ask, "Hazel, where are you going?"

I replied casually, "I've resigned. The company will rely on all of you from now on."

The girl's eyes immediately welled up. "Hazel, don't go! Mr. Sage won't want you to leave either. I'll go tell him to keep you."

Keep me? I smiled faintly and patted her head. "I didn't want to stay and he signed the papers himself."

She looked shocked. "How could that be?"

Yes, how could it end like this today? But Jasper probably didn't want me to stay in the company anymore.

I stepped to leave, but then heard a commotion in the company lobby. Jasper walked in, holding Yvonne's hand.

The company employees respectfully called Yvonne "Madam." At that moment, standing on the second floor looking at them, I suddenly felt like a complete joke.

Even the people in the company knew about their relationship and I was the last to find out. Jasper Sage, you hid it so well!

Two more days. Once those two days were over, we would never see each other again in this life.

That night, Jasper carried Yvonne back into the house. She had twisted her ankle and he suggested she recover in my room.

"Hazel, Yvonne is thin and weak and your room has better lighting. Let her stay there for a while."

I was silent for a few seconds. Yvonne's eyes were red and she shook her head somewhat sadly. "Never mind, Hazel certainly wouldn't want that. After all, this is your and her room."

She even looked genuinely wronged. Jasper immediately got upset, turning to glare at me.

"Hazel, you and Yvonne are like sisters. Can't you even give up a room?"

I stared at him steadily, my voice very soft. "Fine, she can move in." I'll be leaving soon anyway.

Both of them were stunned, seemingly not expecting me to agree. But I had already casually packed my things and moved them to the second bedroom.

Jasper helped Yvonne carry the things and he seemed to find something wrong when he saw the room. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but he quickly calmed down.

"Hazel, where are the things I gave you in your room? They're gone."

My voice was flat. "I packed them away."

Yvonne put her things down and looked at me with teary eyes. "Thank you, Hazel. You're so kind to me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met such a wonderful person as Jasper."

Her face was pure, but her eyes flashed with smugness and provocation.

How could I have ever thought she was innocent?

Jasper's expression turned slightly awkward. He looked at me instinctively and said, "Hazel, let me handle dinner tonight! I promise you won't be disappointed."

He spent ages bustling around the kitchen, only to prepare a table full of spicy dishes. Yvonne gazed at Jasper with adoration in her eyes. "Jasper, how did you know I love spicy food?"

"Because Hazel likes it."

Hearing that, Yvonne's smile faded, replaced by a look of grievance.

Jasper glanced at me. Seeing no reaction from my end, he picked up a crayfish for me, then another for Yvonne.

"Hazel, you've always loved crayfish. I even learned to make it just for you."

My table was covered in bright red, explosively spicy dishes. Hearing his words, it felt incredibly laughable. It was Yvonne Lake who loved crayfish and it was she who loved spicy food.

Because of him, I suffered a stomach injury years ago, leaving it very sensitive. I've disliked spicy food and been unable to eat it ever since a fact he's completely forgotten.

Jasper put dish after dish onto my plate, urging, "Hazel, eat up! Don't you love spicy food the most?"

I was never the one who loved spicy food. I wanted to tell him, but in the end, I endured the discomfort in my stomach and ate all the dishes.

Soon after eating, I ran to the bathroom and threw up violently. Later that night, my stomach was cramping with sharp pains and I was covered in cold sweat.

Jasper wasn't in bed. I forced myself through the discomfort to the living room to look for medicine.

Before I even reached it, I saw the living room lights on and heard a man's gasps and a woman's seductive moans.

My body stiffened. I walked closer and saw Jasper holding Yvonne in his arms.

Yvonne was naked, not wearing a stitch, leaning intimately against Jasper.

Even though I already knew about their relationship, I never expected them to do such things at home. My vision blurred and I nearly collapsed.

I finally stood up. My stomach was aching and I could only lean against the wall to barely support my body.

Just as I started calming down and trying to leave, I heard Yvonne panting as she confronted Jasper.

"Jasper, who do you truly love in your heart? Hazel or me?"

I paused. Then came his answer without the slightest hesitation. "You, of course."

His words were firm and decisive, piercing my already numb heart.

My hand trembled as I clutched my chest, only to realize that even numbness could still feel pain.

"But everyone says Hazel is your capable assistant and that you owe your success to her. You've had decades of history together. I can't compare to Hazel."

Her voice held a hint of grievance. Jasper lowered his head and kissed her deeply, a shadow crossing his eyes when he heard the first few sentences.

He scoffed, "Sage Enterprise has been built entirely by my own hands these past years. Everyone knows she helped me, but without me, there would be no Sage Enterprise at all."

"Besides, as a man, why would I need her protection? She only did that to make outsiders humiliate me."

"Now her ambition is growing. She's not like you, obedient and sensible. Evie, you're so much better than Hazel, that tomboy."

"Evie, are you still questioning my love for you? If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have made it so Hazel can never get pregnant again."

The intimate sounds in the living room continued. I leaned against the wall, head tilted back, trying to keep the tears from falling, but I couldn't stop them.

I never imagined he thought of me this way. Decades of knowing each other, yet it couldn't stand up to human nature.

I met Jasper when we were kids. Because my parents worried about my safety, they enrolled me in judo and boxing lessons from a young age.

As a result, I often ended up protecting kids my age and that's how I met Jasper.

He was bullied a lot because he was frail and malnourished. One day, I passed by and chased the bullies away.

Jasper didn't have a mother, so I brought him home with me. My parents treated him like their own son.

When others mocked him, I'd step forward and scold those who insulted him.

This protection lasted over twenty years. Even now, when he's in danger, I instinctively shield him.

But I didn't expect that my protection at the cost of my life would be a humiliation in his eyes.

Did being protected by a woman make him feel ashamed?

Jasper said with disdain, "She still wants me to marry her. She's a tomboy. She has no femininity at all, but she wants to marry me every day."

"How could I marry such a tomboy who no one wants? Every time I see her body, I feel sick to my stomach, yet I still have to sleep with her."

My face went pale. I couldn't hold it in anymore and ran to the bathroom, throwing up violently. It took a lot to recover and I felt like I'd lost half my life.

I lifted my clothes and looked at the body covered with scars in the mirror; the muzzle next to the heart, the burns on the neck and the wounds of all sizes on the body.

There were also centipedelike wounds on the abdomen, which were left by being stabbed more than a dozen times not long ago and all this was to protect him.

Yet, in his eyes, it had become a humiliation. Looking at my scarridden self in the mirror, I suddenly felt incredibly ridiculous.

In Jasper's darkest times, I promised I would always love him. But now, I realize I couldn't do it anymore.

Jasper, I loved you for over twenty years, but now I've completely given up!

The next day, I woke up early. My suitcase was packed with my belongings. Jasper looked startled when he saw it. "What are you doing, packing your bags?"

His tone was a little anxious, but there were no more ripples in my heart. I said calmly, "I want to go home and stay for a few days."

Hearing this, Jasper seemed relieved. "I'll take you there tomorrow."

"No need! Yvonne is injured, you need to take care of her!" Jasper wanted to say it was nothing, but the next second, there was a scream from Yvonne's room.

Moments later, Jasper came downstairs. "Hazel, Evie isn't feeling well. She's shy, so could you go help her down?"

I only had one more day before I could leave and I didn't want to cause any trouble, so I walked upstairs.

In the room, Yvonne's naked body was covered in hickeys. When she saw me looking at her, she raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly. "Hazel, did you enjoy the show last night?"

I looked at her deeply. "You know, Yvonne, I saved you. Why are you doing this to me?"

Yvonne's expression turned icy as she demanded, "Then tell me. Why is it that I'm younger and prettier, yet I'm struggling, while you get to live in comfort, with Jasper by your side?"

"Hazel, I'm not willing to accept that. Or do you still think he has feelings for you?"

I looked at her, perhaps because the disappointment had piled up so high that even the last trace of disgust I felt for her had faded. Someone like her wasn't even worth the energy it took to despise her.

Yet, she suddenly stood at the top of the stairs, smiling as she asked, "Who do you think is more important in Jasper's heart, you or me?"

Before I could react, Yvonne screamed and fell down the stairs, only to be caught immediately in Jasper's arms.

She looked at me with fear on her face. "Please, don't push me, Hazel. If you don't like me at home, I will leave. Don't hit me, I'm scared."

That girl curled up in his arms like a frightened little animal.

I turned to Jasper. "I didn't touch her. She saw you coming and threw herself down on purpose."

However, Jasper didn't believe me. He looked at me with disappointment. "Hazel, do you think she'd risk her life just to fake something like this?"

"Acting pitiful is your game, not hers. She's not as manipulative as you."

It took me a moment to understand what he meant by "acting pitiful." I tried to stay calm, but my whole body shook angrily.

"I wasn't acting! Every scar on my body was from protecting you. How can you accuse me of faking it?"

Jasper's face stayed cold. "You have two choices: jump off the stairs yourself, or apologize to Evie."

I clenched my jaw and stared at him. "I choose neither. I will not apologize to Yvonne."

I turned to leave, but Jasper stuck out his foot just then. I didn't see it in time and tumbled down the stairs.

I screamed in pain, my bones screaming with a dislocating agony. Jasper held Yvonne in his arms and looked down at me, but his voice was strangely gentle.

"See? If you don't choose, then I'll have to choose for you. This is what you owe Evie."

I bit my lips until they bled and my teeth chattered from the pain, but Jasper walked over coldly.

Everything went black and I couldn't fight the dizziness anymore. When I finally came to, the hospital informed me that I had broken bones in my foot.

My phone vibrated. It was a call from Jasper. "Hazel, I'm taking Evie to recover from her injuries. Wait for me at the hospital."

But then, Yvonne posted a set of photos on her social media, pictures from a trip she took with Jasper.

In one photo, he was on one knee, putting a ring on her finger.

My heart clenched. I closed my eyes and dialed my parents. "Mom, Dad, I miss you. Can you come take me home?"

As soon as they heard the news, my parents were furious. "Hazel, aren't you pregnant? Is Jasper treating you badly?"

The next day, they rushed back from abroad and Jasper never came to the hospital to see me.

When I saw my parents, I couldn't control myself anymore and cried in their arms.

After explaining everything clearly, they wanted to settle accounts with Jasper, but I stopped them.

I sat in a wheelchair and went to the Sage residence one last time to take my suitcase.

Jasper, we are strangers from now on, as if dead to each other!