Chapter 15
Yasmine nodded with a smile.
The sight of someone from her past seemed to drag her memories back to that one summer.
She had just argued with Charlie, and out of spite, she had taken part in a truth or dare game at a gathering with some university friends. Her dare was to confess to someone of the opposite gender who was at the gathering.
That person happened to be one of the most popular students in the accounting stream. His name was Jasper Whilkins, and he was the sole heir of the Whilkins family.
She would never forget his widened eyes or his steadily reddening ears. He had stumbled backward in his
panic.
His voice lowered and trembled as he said, “Are you serious?”
When Yasmine admitted that it was a dare, he had frozen in place. Soon enough, he went back to his usual aloof, quiet self.
Before he left, his eyes had looked a little damp as he said to her, “Yasmine, I almost fell for it.”
The guilt of playing with someone else’s feelings began to fill Yasmine’s chest.
After that, she had basically avoided Jasper like he was the plague. After they graduated, she heard that Jasper was going overseas to take over his family’s business. She had breathed a huge sigh of relief.
She never thought they would meet again.
Yasmine smiled bitterly as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
She never thought they would meet in these circumstances.
“She was saved in time, so she’ll be fine,” she said, moving aside and letting him sit next to the bed. “Is
she…”
“She’s my niece, Teresa,” Jasper pressed his lips together before saying, “Thank you for saving her. Before my sister died, her only dying wish was for Teresa to be safe and taken care of. The Whilkins family owes you a big one.”
Yasmine never imagined how deeply his gratitude ran and quickly waved a hand in denial.
“There’s no need for that. I just happened to pass by. I would have helped her no matter who she was.”
The room fell into yet another awkward silence.
Jasper looked at her ring finger, which was bare except for a faint tan line around where her ring once was. “Where’s Charlie? Are you guys here on holiday?”
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Even though the question was a simple one, it seemed more painful than usual to hear it.
“We’re divorced,” Yasmine said, forcing a smile. “I’m planning to move here for good.”
“I’m sorry,” Jasper said, looking down.
He had only said two simple words, but Yasmine could hear the lilt at the end of his sentence.
She was about to ask how Jasper had been doing when Teresa finally woke up.
She looked around at the unfamiliar environment and pouted, clearly about to cry.
However, once she saw Yasmine, she calmed down and said pitifully, “I want a hug.”
Yasmine froze.
Jasper frowned slightly and tried to help Yasmine get out of the situation. “Tessie, don’t be rude.”
“It’s okay, Tessie,” Yasmine said as she bent down and picked Teresa up. “I’m here. I’m not going
anywhere.
“Should we ignore your evil uncle?” she said jokingly, pretending to hit Jasper in an attempt to make Teresa laugh.
Jasper looked at Yasmine’s sly gaze and immediately played along. He started begging for mercy as if he were actually scared.
Teresa eventually stopped crying and curled up against Yasmine’s shoulder, falling fast asleep.
“Thank you,” Jasper said softly as he walked her out of the ward. “Tessie hasn’t smiled like that in a long
time. You’ve helped me a lot.”
Yasmine smiled and taught him some tips about cheering kids up. Then, she said, “Teresa’s adorable. If I
could, I would be treating her like my own daughter.”
Jasper stared at her with a raised eyebrow.
He was about to say something when a tiny head peeked out from under the blanket. “Miss, can I go play with you someday?”
Yasmine bent down and smiled gently. “Of course you can. I’ll welcome you any time.”
After that incident, two new people entered her life
She would accompany Teresa and cheer her up. In exchange, Jasper would bring her around the area to help familiarize her.
Yasmine spent a lot of time at the playground, the aquarium, and the museum.
Zachary and Rachel never let her follow them on their trips. She had forgotten the last time she had set foot into those places
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The truth was that she was actually leeching off Jasper in a way.
Every weekend, he would take Teresa and Yasmine out for a meal together.
Sometimes they would have steak, and sometimes they had seafood. Occasionally, he would even cook for them and allow Yasmine to request any meal she wanted.
Jasper put on his apron and began to cook for the three of them in the kitchen.
Yasmine had Teresa in her arms as she quietly read out a story to her.
She was beginning to feel like a good life really could be that simple.
Suddenly, Teresa looked up at her. “Yasmine, will you be my aunt?”
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
(asmine didn’t know how to answer. She didn’t notice how Jasper had momentarily frozen while setting
he table.
Yasmine, I have a secret to tell you,” Teresa whispered.
