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."

her with disdain and

with two bowls of rice, which filled Jasmine with a brief flicker of hope. But instead of offering them, the nanny walked past her and dumped the food into the iron pan used

gaze darted away and tears welled up in

Justin needed to find a way to eat. She didn't have a penny to

you think you're going?" The nanny's voice was sharp with irritation as Jasmine moved towards

step out for a moment," Jasmine explained quietly, her

it clear: no food for Jasmine and any means necessary

rubbed her hands together for warmth. It wasn't freezing, but the cold seemed to

hungry child to feed, she felt at a loss. Approaching a trash can, she

a sight for sore eyes? Who do

Richman District was home turf for Jasmine's

hearing the sarcastic tone behind her, Jasmine's shoulders tensed

about to let her off that easily, and

but we

curled up, not

Brown Family and Jasmine's former classmate, had always harbored

always steered clear of Zelda, intent on avoiding trouble. Now more than ever, she couldn't afford to provoke

you now, Jasmine," Zelda cooed, stepping deliberately onto Jasmine's ankle.

for over twenty years, you trash picker," Zelda sneered as she patted Jasmine's face and then viciously slapped

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