The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 25

Chapter 4

Jacob didn't come home all night. After I refused to cook for Jasmine, he blocked my number. I didn't bother with him; instead, I took a car back to my hometown, intending to bring some childhood things with me. I'm not sure what Jacob told my mother, but as soon as I got off the car, I saw her waiting at the door, eagerly looking around. When she saw Jacob wasn't with me, her expression instantly darkened. She still didn't realize that Jacob

Kould never set foot here he had always looked down on me and this family

"Haven't you two made up yet?"

"We won't be making up."

The moment the words left my mouth, she slapped me across the face, hard enough that half of it swelled instantly. Still unsatisfied, she grabbed the broom by the door and started beating me in front of everyone passing by, putting her full strength into every strike. "Jacob told me everything. Meeting a man with his qualifications is a blessing you'd never

earn in a thousand lifetimes. Can't you do anything right?"

"Jealous, indulgent, so shameless! I'm telling you, no matter what it takes-begging, getting

pregnant, whatever-you have to marry Jacob, or don't bother coming back!"

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew, and rain poured down in torrents. My mother finally stopped. She barred me from entering the house, tossing my belongings out one by one.

"Get out now! Even if you die, you'd better do it at the Smiths"!"

A childhood trophy, something I once cherished, struck my forehead, and blood mixed with rain trickled down my cheek. I bent down, sorting through the scattered mess of items. picking up memories from the past.

Just then, a Bentley slowly pulled up beside me. Jacob stepped out, holding an umbrella in one hand and roughly pulling me up with the other, dragging me into the car.

Ivy, have you learned to behave?"

"No one in this world will love you except me."

Chapter 4

"Be good and come home. When we get back, apologize properly to Jasmine, and you'll still be the future Mrs. Smith."

He threw his coat over me, and the scent of Jasmine's perfume filled my senses. I turned my head, looking out at the rain-blurred scenery, feeling nothing inside.

Once, I saw Jacob as my salvation and shared my deepest thoughts with him, but he only used my hidden pain to control me. He was never my support, nor did he deserve my love. Only by leaving him and that so-called "home" could I truly live well. As I lost myself in thought, Jacob's phone rang.

"Jacob, why aren't you here yet? Everyone's waiting for you. They're all teasing me, saying it's funny for the boss's wife to attend the company event alone while the boss is nowhere to be found. I'm having a hard time keeping up..."

Jacob glanced at me awkwardly, unsure whether to leave me or take me along.

"Ivy, why don't you join us for the company gathering?"

In the past, I would have never been allowed to step foot in his company. Even when I delivered his meals, I had to wait outside for his assistant to come out. This was his rare, almost reluctant, concession.

I pulled out a tissue to dab at the blood on my forehead and replied slowly, "Alright,"

Chapter 5

Soaking wet and looking utterly disheveled, I stepped in front of everyone. Jacob deliberately quickened his pace to distance himself from me, as if afraid of being associated with me. Jasmine pouted in annoyance when she saw me, and I overheard Jacob quietly reassuring her.

d

don't care about her; I just want to embarrass her properly. I without me, she's worse off than a stray dog.

ant everyone to see that

Facing the curious and mocking gazes around me, I felt nothing. Perhaps I had been hurt so many times that I was numb to it all. I raised my hand to ask a server for a blanket, then sat on the sofa, watching people come and go.

Just then, my phone rang-it was Ellie. She told me she'd contacted a few companies for me, and they were happy to have me interview at any time. Before I could end the call, a hand suddenly rested on my shoulder. Turning around, I found Jacob looking at me with a frown.

"Who are you talking to? What interview? Where are you planning to go?"

I lied casually, "An ad pitch." Jacob's frown slowly eased.

"That makes sense. Your parents don't want you anymore; where else could you go?"

"The rain has stopped now, and there's nothing for you to do here. Just go home. And when you get back, make sure to wash my coat properly."

Without a word, I tossed his coat onto the sofa. Jasmine tilted her head and stared at me for a moment before insisting that Jacob walk me out.

As I reached the roadside, she suddenly stuck out her foot, tripping me. My body fell uncontrollably into a rose bush by the road.

"Ivy!" Jacob moved as if to reach for me, but Jasmine let out a small cry, and he immediately turned back to shield her, leaving me to fall entirely into the thorn-filled roses. Sharp thorns scratched my skin all over, and the muddy ground only magnified my humiliation. Struggling to stand, I looked up just in time to see Jacob bending down with a gentle

Chapter 5

expression, carefully wiping water droplets off Jasmine's shoes. He glanced at me, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes.

"Ivy, are you alright...? I can take you to the hospital."

"Jacob." Jasmine's eyes turned red with tears.

"You promised to stay with me today-it's our anniversary of when we first held hands. How can you leave me alone?"

Jacob's gaze shifted between us, hesitating.

"I can go to the hospital on my own. You're the boss; it wouldn't look good if you left early."

He sighed in relief, as if a weight had lifted.

"Then be careful. I'll bring you your favorite cream puffs when I get home."

Cream puffs were Jasmine's favorite, not mine. But there was no point in correcting him. No matter the situation, I was always the one discarded, the one sacrificed. Rather than foolishly waiting for love that was never mine, it was better to walk away with som