Chapter 15
Back in her old room, Yasmine stared at the lily painting she’d made three years ago. It was still framed and hanging on the wall like before. Every detail was exactly the same, frozen in time just like she’d left it.
For a second, Yasmine could almost pretend like none of it had happened. She’d never met Sebastian, and she was still the spoiled princess of the Guzman family, getting her way without any trouble.
Those three years with Sebastian felt like some crazy dream. The kind where she wake up all sweaty, relieved it was over.
“Yasmine,” Sofia said, coming in with a mug of milk. She blew on it gently and said, “Drink this before bed.” Her voice got softer. “Hayden told me you’ve been working nonstop at Tieline Design since… the incident. You’re killing yourself.”
She finally muttered through gritted teeth, “Sebastian, that heartless jerk!”
The Guzman family had treated Yasmine like a delicate treasure, but she’d been thrown aside after a miscarriage and divorce. Sebastian just disappeared and started showing off his new girlfriend on social media. Sofia couldn’t accept it.
Yasmine’s eyes got red as her hand instinctively pressed against her stomach. Her baby, barely a month old, had been taken away by cold instruments. It died the same night its dad announced his new girlfriend to the world.
“Mom…” Yasmine’s voice trembled.
མཇ་༥་༠༠ བ
Sofia’s eyes got red too. She set down the mug and pulled Yasmine into a hug, patting her back gently. “It’s okay, Yasmine. It’s over. Everything will be okay.”
Yasmine sniffled and nodded, “Okay.”
“Drink the milk,” Sofia said, making Yasmine sit down. “Even after a miscarriage, you need time to recover. Don’t stress too much about Tieline Design until you’re feeling better.”
Yasmine shook her head. “I checked Tieline’s accounts. Bruce’s side is way out of line. I can’t face Grandpa if I don’t stop them.”
“Stubborn girl.” Sofia gave up arguing but said, “You can keep working, but I’ll send home–cooked meals to Tieline Design every day. No arguments.”
Yasmine leaned her head on Sofia’s shoulder. “I love your cooking the most. I missed it so much these past three years.”
Sofia tapped her daughter’s nose. “Then why didn’t you come home to see me?”
Yasmine couldn’t answer. She hated her past self–the girl who’d put romance before family. Now, every day of those three years felt like wasted time.
Seeing her distress, Sofia changed the subject. “Finish your milk and get some rest. Take tomorrow off. Stay home with your family while you’re here.”
“Okay.” Yasmine nodded.
The next morning, Yasmine slept until sunlight crept through the curtains. She opened her eyes to find Cheryl sitting on the edge of her bed, chin propped in her hand.
Cheryl smiled, “Morning, princess. Finally awake?”
Yasmine smirked “You came this early? To see me… or Hayden?”
Cheryl’s cheeks turned pink. After coughing awkwardly, she got straight to the point. “Let’s get down to business. Your ex offered you 30 million dollars for your help, would you take it?”
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