Chapter 1352
Calvin stared at his phone, his face ashen. He wondered where Joe was and why he hadn't arrived. Nearby, doctors and nurses urged Rosa to come down.
“Ms. Reese, please, just come down. There’s no problem we can’t solve. Let’s discuss this calmly.”
“Yes, exactly. Mood swings after surgery are common. Physically, you’re recovering well. And if you’re worried about scarring, there are treatments to minimize it. After discharge, we’ll guide you on scar reduction; it can be nearly invisible.”
The nurse, assuming Rosa’s despair stemmed from anxieties about her appearance, tried to reassure her. She knew many women held impossibly high standards, struggling with perceived imperfections. Mental health issues were also prevalent, of course.
But Calvin knew better. The doctors’ and nurses’ words sent a nervous tremor through him. If appearance were the only issue, a solution would be simple. With the plethora of cosmetic clinics, anyone could achieve their desired look.
Seeing Joe's message, Calvin blurted, “Ms. Reese, Mr. Sowle is downstairs. He’s picking up the engagement ring. He said he’ll marry you once you’re recovered.”
If Rosa jumped, his high-paying job and career would be over. He'd looked away only a moment when she'd fled the ward to the rooftop. A crowd was now gathering below.
The impending PR nightmare sent a throbbing pain through his head. Before, Joe’s anonymity had been a buffer. But after his visit to Jipsburg, a few news stories had surfaced, and he was now recognizable. News of his fiancée threatening suicide would be a massive scandal, potentially jeopardizing Hawking Technologies' upcoming IPO. This was a critical juncture; there could be no mistakes.
Chapter 1352
Hearing “engagement ring” and “marry,” a flicker of hope ignited in Rosa’s eyes, but doubt quickly extinguished it.
“Is he really proposing? Are you lying? No, no, that can’t be. He just talked about breaking up; he’s obsessed with Skylar. He wouldn’t propose, let alone marry me. That’s impossible! You’re lying! He doesn’t care if I live or die. Maybe he’s waiting for me to jump, so he’s free of this burden—free of me! I’ll be free from watching him marry Skylar. I’ll finally be free.”
“Stay back! If anyone comes closer, I swear I’ll jump!”
As the doctors and nurses approached, her distress escalated.
Frantic, Calvin pleaded, “If you don’t believe me, Ms. Reese, look at my phone. I have the chat history with Mr. Sowle. He just messaged me. You can check it.”
Rosa examined Calvin’s phone. The distance hindered her view; she could only see Joe’s profile picture.
Shaking her head, despair etched on her face, she whispered, “No, no! This isn’t right. He wouldn’t willingly agree to marry me. He’s only saying this because I’m about to jump, and he’s worried about the repercussions. He doesn’t love me anymore, don’t you understand? He doesn’t love me, so how could he marry me?”
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. The irony was crushing; she’d foolishly believed in love.