Chapter 7

"No, Alessa has to be sent to the hospital first. I can't let anything happen to her. No one and nothing is more important than her safety!" Martin's anxious, frantic roars were the last thing Jasmine heard before she slipped into unconsciousness. Soon, a boundless darkness rose and consumed her. It felt like she had had a long dream. When she woke up, the first thing she saw was Nora's bloodshot eyes. "Jasmine, I've just returned to Corvalis when I heard that you had an accident and were sent to a hospital. The doctor said you had severe bleeding and were almost a goner. You scared the life out of me!" Seeing Nora, every grievance and misery Jasmine had buried in her heart came flooding back, turning her eyes red as she threw her arms around her. "Don't be scared. I'm fine." They hugged each other, taking in each other's warmth for a long time. At some point, Nora poured Jasmine a glass of water. She recalled what the doctor said to her and talked about something lighthearted instead. "Have you been happy in Corvalis for the past few years? Had Martin been mean to you? Also, don't you have a boyfriend? When are you going to introduce him to me? "I'm going to take a close look at him and see if he's good enough for you. If he doesn't treat you the way you deserve to be treated, you can bet I'll be against it." Jasmine's expression froze. "Mr. Quinlan is very professional and separates his work life from his private life. He hasn't been mean to me at all. As for my boyfriend, we've broken up." Nora didn't think Jasmine's relationship would've ended this quickly. Worried that her friend might be heartbroken, she immediately offered some comforting words. "It's okay. Just move on from him and open yourself up to endless possibilities. The next guy will be a better one. I know a lot of handsome men, and I'll introduce all of them to you." At the next moment, the door to the ward swung open, and in came Martin with a darkened expression. "What are you talking about? You will do no such thing. None of the playboys you've befriended are good enough for Jasmine." Nora immediately pouted when she heard him overruling her. "What do you mean by playboys? Martin, can you stop saying nonsense? They've had a couple of girlfriends. That's all. "Do you suppose every man in the world must be as devoted as you are? You're so obsessed with Alessa that you can't even see anyone else. Plus, I'm trying to find Jasmine a boyfriend. How is that your business?" A wave of anger rose in Martin's chest, and his tone was laced with impatience as he spoke. "As I said, you will do no such thing, and I won't allow it. You can't force something that isn't meant to be. So, stop meddling in her love life." No truer words had been spoken. One simply couldn't force something that wasn't meant to happen. Regrettably, it took Jasmine four years to learn this lesson the hard way. She grinned quietly, tugged at Nora's hand, and gazed at her calmly. "Nora is just joking around. Mr. Quinlan, is there a reason you're here?" Martin felt slightly relieved when he saw that she was safe and sound. At first, he almost blurted out that he came to check on her. Eventually, he bit his tongue and changed his mind. "Nothing, really. Nora heard you had an accident and rushed to the hospital as soon as her plane landed. I'm here to take her home and thought I'd check on you as well." "Alright, Martin. I'll go home tonight. You should go on without me. Jasmine's injuries are severe. Don't arrange any work for her." After Nora said her piece, she shooed him out of the ward. Once she and Jasmine were left alone, she put in some good words for Martin again. "He might've seemed fierce and mean, but he's actually really nice to you. The nurse told me that you almost died yesterday, but he turned the whole city upside down to find the blood that matched yours."