Chapter 14
Yasmine stood in front of the Guzman residence, her hand hovering over the doorbell. She couldn’t bring herself to ring it.
Hayden stood beside her, keeping it cool and speaking softer than usual. “Take your time, Yasmine. They’re all waiting.”
Yasmine took a deep breath and pressed her finger to the fingerprint lock. The moment it beeped, the door swung open so fast it almost hit the wall.
A woman rushed out and pulled Yasmine into a tight hug. “You’re finally home, Yasmine.” She was Yasmine’s mother, Sofia Guzman.
Sofia’s voice was all choked up, and Yasmine could feel tears on her neck. Her eyes turned red as she hugged her mom back, looking up to see the rest of the family in the hallway. She couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.
Ten minutes later, Yasmine and Sofia had calmed down. Yasmine sat alone on the couch, facing the rest of the Guzman family across from her.
After wiping her eyes, Yasmine felt a little embarrassed. She felt like she was being grilled. “Um… is it too late to explain myself?”
Her father, Ronald Guzman, huffed, “You finally remember to come home, you little brat.”
Yasmine immediately apologized like a good little girl. “Dad, I was wrong.”
Ronald’s face softened right away, nodding at Craig. “See? I told you Yasmine would apologize.”
Yasmine’s grandfather, Craig Guzman, snorted, leaning on his cane and glaring down at Yasmine, “I’ve thought you’d forgotten
us.”
“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” Yasmine said, keeping her eyes down and acting all meek.
Craig’s stern face softened, and he hurried over to Janice’s side. “Honey, look how sincere she is. That’s real maturity. Let’s move past this now. Yasmine’s turned over a new leaf.”
Yasmine flashed a smile. Three years away, and Janice still ran the show. Some things never changed.
Janice pushed Craig aside. “Move! You’re blocking my view of Yasmine.” She pulled Yasmine into a tight hug. “That’s all behind us now. But you’re staying home this time, no more running off.”
When Yasmine opened her mouth to argue, Janice gave her a look. “You wanna test me?”
Yasmine shut her mouth. She glanced across the room at Quiana Guzman and gave her a tentative smile. “Hey, Quiana… I’m back?”
Quiana pursed her lips and pointed at Jeffrey Guzman, sitting next to her.
Jeffrey ranked second in the family, and he’d been a business genius since he was a kid. By sixteen, he’d taken over the Guzman Group and turned it into a global powerhouse all by himself.
Years in the cutthroat business world had made Jeffrey stern and reserved. He was super rich, but he was still single and had no time for romance.
Yasmine shivered under Jeffrey’s frosty gaze. He was the one person in the Guzman family she feared the most.
As Yasmine trembled, waiting for his judgment, Jeffrey finally spoke. “Have you selected a burial plot for Sebastian?”
Yasmine stiffened. “I’ve completely let go of Sebastian. I lost that gamble. Let’s just… leave the past in the past.”
Jeffrey’s stern eyes softened with rare approval. “Smart choice. Glad you’ve come to your senses, Yasmine.”
An icy dread crept up Yasmine’s spine. Even Quiana and Hayden shivered. Everyone knew Jeffrey’s smile meant trouble. When he grinned, someone always paid the price.
14
