Chapter 12 Mom

Liam raced down the block with a box of cake and sweet treats for Jasmine.

Wiping her hands that had been sifting through the trash, Jasmine eyed Liam uneasily and took a cautious step back.

A life peppered with too many hardships had taught Jasmine to fear everyone, including Liam.

But Liam understood. He grinned and offered assurance. "They're all fresh and still sealed. Have a look for yourself."

Silent, Jasmine just stared at the ground, her fingers clenched tightly around the fabric of her pants.

She was hungry. She craved the offering. But she wouldn't beg.

"Here's the deal," Liam began, sensing her discomfort while he pointed toward the car parked curbside. "You're collecting bottles, right? Mr. Douglas sent these over. All this? Barely cost a hundred bucks. Pay it back to Mr. Douglas whenever you've saved up enough."

Jasmine followed the direction of Liam's gesture, Ethan...

She gave a small nod and accepted the cake. She would pay it back. She was determined to seize every opportunity to get closer to Ethan.

With her bag of scavenged bottles, Jasmine hobbled back the way she came.

Her ankle throbbed in pain, swollen from Zelda's cruel stomp.

Back in the storage space at The Douglas Family estate, Jasmine meticulously cleaned her hands and softly woke the slumbering Justin. "Justin, wake up, sweetheart. Let's have something to eat."

Daniel didn't bother keeping a close watch on her, knowing Jasmine wouldn't dare flee.

If she ran, she'd be caught and dragged right back.

What was the point in running?

Staying meant atonement.

had agreed to Jasmine's desperate offer: donate a

she'd be free from any debt

Free at last.

Then, spotting the tiny cake, he lit

heart feeling lighter, as she handed

amazing," Justin said, planting

flinched. "I'm...

Jasmine's face gently, Justin looked serious.

throat went tight with emotion as she chuckled, but

insisted Justin, showing understanding beyond his years. He always knew

save it for Justin.

to

him lean on her as

genuinely, remarkably

being locked away all those years, she'd nearly forgotten the taste of sweetness. "Mom, where's Dad? Is he

Jasmine held her son

so

going to be a really

"Dad's a hero."

than for her son to grow up healthy, happy, and

have to go to outer space to find Dad,

time before I come back..." she

suddenly, Justin fell

A pang of worry struck

to

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