Wed to the Billionaire Brother of My Spouse by Doris

Chapter 10 Redemption

"Mom, my drawing won first prize," Justin beamed. "I drew you, me, and Uncle."

"Mom, they asked me why I don't have a dad..."

"Mom, when can you come home?"

Richard said that Justin was remarkably mature for his age, wise beyond his five years in a way that was heartbreakingly endearing.

Sometimes, witnessing the boy's precociousness made him achingly aware of how much Justin's young heart craved a sense of security and a mother's love.

"Don't cry, Mom. You've got me." Justin nestled into Jasmine's embrace, a mere child himself, starved for maternal affection and a sense of safety.

As Jasmine held Justin close, her gaze inadvertently caught her reflection in the full- length mirror. Pale and gaunt, with bloodless lips; she looked like she was just a heartbeat away from fading into nothingness-unrecognizable from the former belle of the San Francisco socialite scene. And yes, Daniel had cruelly hit the mark-she could pass for a beggar on the street. Her body was a mere shadow of its former self. Confined to a storage room by Daniel and dizzy from hunger, Jasmine realized she hadn't eaten in quite some time.

"Are you hungry, Mom?" Justin's stomach echoed his words.

Biting her lip, Jasmine whispered a soft reassurance, "Be a good boy, Justin. Mom will find us something to eat."

After coaxing Justin to sleep, she cautiously left the room.

Daniel hadn't bothered to stick around; he was off to the hospital to visit Serena, his fiancée.

Stealthily making her way out of the courtyard, Jasmine spotted the nanny and asked timidly, "Do you have...any food? The child is hungry."

looked at her with

But instead of offering them, the nanny walked past her and

darted away and tears

to find a way to eat. She didn't

going?" The nanny's voice was sharp

Justin is here. I won't run. I just need to step out for a

Serena had made it clear: no food for Jasmine and any means necessary to drive her away should

the chilly San Francisco autumn air, Jasmine rubbed her hands together

money and a hungry child to feed, she felt at a loss. Approaching a trash can, she began collecting discarded bottles, hoping that if

sight for sore eyes? Who do we have here, if it isn't

home turf

the sarcastic tone behind her, Jasmine's shoulders

let her off that easily, and she shoved

of the slammer, but

not daring to

assailant, Zelda Brown, the second heiress of the prestigious Brown Family and Jasmine's former classmate, had always harbored a powerful envy

had always steered clear of Zelda, intent on avoiding trouble. Now more than ever,

ankle.

have no shame, impersonating the Wilson Family's heiress for over twenty years, you trash picker," Zelda sneered as she patted Jasmine's face and

a heads up: .net is the only place to read the complete version of this book for free. Don't miss out on the next