Wed to the Billionaire Brother of My Spouse by Doris

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.

to Jasmine's desperate offer: donate a

free from

Free at last.

the tiny cake, he lit up, even licking his

handed

Justin said, planting

flinched. "I'm... I'm

face gently, Justin looked serious.

tight with emotion as she chuckled, but her tears betrayed her. "Be a good boy,

insisted Justin, showing understanding beyond his years.

Jasmine wanted to save it for

Justin stated resolutely, refusing to eat

letting him lean on her as

genuinely,

taste of sweetness. "Mom, where's Dad? Is he a superhero? Will

Jasmine held her son close as they

so

gone, and it's going to be a really long time before he gets

"Dad's a hero."

nothing more than for her son to grow up healthy, happy, and whole, without feeling the void of having

Mom might have to go to outer space to find

time before I come

suddenly, Justin fell

pang of worry struck

Justin began to cry.