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.

Jasmine's desperate offer: donate a kidney, and she'd settle over two

free from any debt

Free at last.

heavy with sleep. Then, spotting the tiny cake, he lit up, even licking his lips. "Is Mom an

her heart feeling lighter, as she handed him the treats. "Mom

planting a kiss on

"I'm...

not dirty." Grabbing Jasmine's face gently, Justin looked serious. "You're the

throat went tight with emotion as she chuckled, but her tears betrayed her. "Be

beyond his years. He always

her hunger, Jasmine wanted to save it for Justin.

to eat until Jasmine

lean on her as

was genuinely,

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

held her son close

so

going to be a really long time before he gets

"Dad's a hero."

image of a father for Justin, wanting nothing more than for her son to grow up healthy, happy, and whole, without feeling the void

go to outer space

long time before I come back..."

Justin

pang of

to cry. "Mom, don't