The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 28

Joanna Taylor walked down the street, her gaze fixed on the enormous billboard in the distance.

"The Wedding of the Century: Sean Yates and Bianca White of the White Family."

The glaring headline and accompanying photo stung Joanna's eyes, turning them red.

She sat in the corner of a café, the coffee in her hands long gone cold. Her eyes were hollow, lost in thought.

Memories of her time with Sean flashed through her mind—every sweet moment now twisted into unbearable pain.

She knew the Yates family's influence was immense. Mrs. Yates' decision likely carried deeper implications, and Joanna refused to be the reason Sean was torn between duty and love.

"I can't be his burden. He deserves a bright future."

Her voice was barely a whisper as she suppressed the storm inside her.

Her phone buzzed—a notification for her approved visa to M country, along with an acceptance letter from Wisteria University.

A fleeting look of relief crossed Joanna's face. Once, her dream had been to continue her studies, but those hopes had faded in the years spent conforming to societal expectations of marriage and motherhood.

Now, nothing held her back anymore.

She sent farewell messages to the few friends she had left. Then, with trembling fingers, she typed one last text.

"Sean, I need to see you. There's something I have to say."

After sending it, she stared blankly out the window, her thoughts drifting far away.

It didn't take long for Sean to rush into the café. The moment he saw Joanna, unease coiled in his chest.

"Joanna, what's wrong?"

She lifted her head, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Sean… I saw the news about your engagement to Bianca."

Sean pulled out his phone, only to find no such announcement. Panic laced his voice.

"Joanna, don't believe any of that. I had no idea about this—I never agreed to marry Bianca!"

"I've been working at the company, trying to convince my parents to accept us."

Joanna shook her head gently, cutting him off.

"Sean, I know you care for me. But some things… are beyond our control. You have responsibilities."

"You're your parents' only child. Can you really walk away from everything?"

Sean pulled her into his arms.

"Joanna, trust me."

"I've been fighting for us. Even if it all falls apart, even if I have to become a small-town teacher—I won't let you go."

Tears spilled from Joanna's eyes, unstoppable now.

"Sean, you don't understand. I don't want to be the obstacle in your future. I don't want our love to end in ruins."

Pain flickered in Sean's gaze.

"Joanna… what kind of future would it be without you?"

Her heart clenched. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Sean reached into his bag and pulled out a ring—a small diamond glinting under the light.

His expression was a mix of shyness and solemnity as he slipped it onto Joanna's finger.

"Joanna, I saved up for this when I was teaching. No one deserves it more than you."

"Back then, it was everything I had—and I wanted to give it to you. Now, I want to give you everything."

"I'll talk to my parents. I won't marry her. Just… wait for me, okay?"

Joanna nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes, but guilt weighed heavily in her chest.

I'm sorry, Sean. I can't afford to lose again.

She had thought walking away from a love that wasn't meant to be would bring her back to herself.

But now, she was shattered—no longer the fearless girl she once was.