Yasmine quietly made dinner.

Her cooking was always delicious. The smell wafted into Noah’s room, and he came running out. When he saw her carrying a steaming bowl of seafood porridge, a wicked smile spread across his face.

He stuck out his leg, and Yasmine stumbled. The porridge spilled all over her, and the scalding heat made her cry out in pain.

But the very next moment, Noah’s loud sobs drowned her out.

“Auntie Yasmine, I know you don’t like me, but how could you burn me like this?

“Mom, it hurts!”

Yara and Leo rushed out at once.

Yara took Noah into her arms, and her eyes welled up with tears.

“Yasmine, if you’re upset about quitting your job, take it out on me. Don’t pick on Noah!”

Yasmine was about to explain, but Leo pushed her away.

She staggered back and slammed into the cabinet. The pain in her waist nearly doubled her over.

Leo looked at her with disgust, as if he could not see her pain at all. “Yasmine, Noah is just a child! He’s my brother’s only son! How can you be so cruel?”

Yasmine lifted her head and glanced at Noah’s arm. His so-called burn was no bigger than a fingernail, while her own arms were covered in blisters. The sight was almost laughable.

Such a tiny scratch, and yet he had managed to pin such a serious accusation on her.

Such a tiny scratch, yet Leo’s heart ached so much he insisted on rushing Noah to the hospital.

As they were leaving, Noah peeked over Leo’s shoulder and made a face at her.

The look reminded Yasmine of another time, when he had been running a high fever.

Yara had been nowhere to be found, and Leo was away on duty. Yasmine had come home from work to find Noah burning up.

With no buses running and no rides to the hospital, she had staggered down the dark streets, carrying him on her back the whole way. She then spent two nights in the hospital, watching over him as he received his IV.

She had truly cared for Noah like her own child.

In her past life, she had never had children of her own, so she poured all her love into him.

She had barely used any of her parents’ inheritance for herself. Instead, she bought Noah a car and a house.

But what did she get in return?

That boastful phone call before her death and the boy’s cruel smirk today, made her realize just how worthless her loyalty and devotion had been.

There was no guarantee that true affection could get genuine care in return. Noah was already twisted at such a young age. She would not waste her love on him again.

She went back to her room to tend to her wounds.

The blisters on her arms were so large that they made her tremble in pain. Gritting her teeth, she held a needle to the flame, pricked the blisters, and applied some ointment to them. The pain was unbearable.

To distract herself from the pain, she packed her belongings.

After half a day of sorting out her things, she had only managed to fill a small bundle.

It was almost laughable. After all these years with Leo, all she owned were a few sets of clothes and some shoes.

The only jewelry she had was those her parents had left her.

The Quinton family was not poor. Leo’s parents were retired soldiers, and Leo himself had been a regimental commander. His monthly allowance was several thousand dollars.

But when she thought about it, Yasmine realized she had never taken a single penny from him. Instead, she had used her own salary to support the household and never dared to spend it on herself.

Yet Yara, a primary school teacher earning only a few dozen dollars a month, somehow had gold necklaces and bracelets.

Once again, Yasmine felt the sting of Leo’s favoritism. It was like a needle pricking at her heart.

She continued packing and finally pulled out the two marriage certificates she had once guarded so carefully from the bottom of a drawer.

She remembered the day Leo had brought them home. His face shone with guilt.

“My brother just passed away. We can’t have a big wedding. Yasmine, I’m so sorry.

“But from now on, you’re the lady of the Quinton family. I’ll treat you well.”

Looking back, what had he really felt guilty about? Was it really because they could not hold a grand wedding?

Every word he had said back then had been a lie.

He had tricked her for half a lifetime, and the pain of it had nearly ruined her.

With tears stinging her eyes, Yasmine ripped the worthless papers to shreds.

When Leo came back from the hospital with Yara and Noah, Yasmine was already in bed.

The wounds on her hands hurt so much that she could not sleep well.

The moment Leo opened the door, she woke up.

Hearing the sound of the wheelchair getting closer, her heart raced.

She hated him.

The thought of sharing a bed with him made her feel sick.

Fortunately, Leo stopped when Yara’s soft voice sounded from the doorway.

“Leo, Noah seems to be having a nightmare.”

With that, Leo turned and left without hesitation.

Silence filled the room again. A little while later, strange sounds emerged from the next room.

Yasmine wanted to shut them out, but the night was too quiet and her hearing too sharp. She heard Yara’s moans mixed with Leo’s heavy grunting.

“Leo, slow down. Aren’t you afraid Yasmine will hear us?”

“Then, be quieter, Yara. Knowing she’s next door makes it feel even better, doesn’t it?”

“You’re so annoying! Stop saying my name, honey.”

“You want me to call you babe instead? You really are something.”

“You’re the one who said Yasmine just lies there in bed like a dead fish. Don’t you prefer me this way?”

“I do. I love you, baby.”

Each filthy word pierced Yasmine’s heart.

She could not believe she had become part of their twisted game. From the way they spoke, it was clear that this was not the first time they were doing this.

Leo had sworn he was only looking after Yara. What a joke!

Taking care of his widowed sister-in-law all the way into her bed. He really was not afraid of his brother coming to haunt him in the middle of the night.

Who knew how many times they had used Noah as an excuse to get into bed together? Yasmine’s stomach churned. She jumped up and ran to the bathroom to vomit.

The sound gave her away. Leo came out of Yara’s room quickly.

His eyes were still clouded with desire, though his tone was gentle.

“Yasmine, are you alright? Did you not eat tonight? Is your stomach acting up?”

He stepped closer and patted her back, as if he had not shoved her away earlier. He acted as though he had not been in bed with Yara just moments ago.

That was what Leo always did.

He always treated her sweetly after hurting her.

He always mistreated her, then made her think he cared for her.

This time, she only felt sick. She gagged until bile burned her throat.

Her stomach was empty, and a strange pain spread through her lower belly.

She tried to stand and move away from him, but just as she rose, the world went dark.

The last thing she heard was Leo’s panicked voice.

“Yasmine, wake up!”

When Yasmine opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital.

The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose. Before she could open her eyes fully, she heard Yara’s low voice.

“Leo, even though Noah cried a few times when he found out about the pregnancy, this child is your own flesh and blood. You don’t always have to think only of us.”

Yara knew exactly how to play her cards.

Leo’s answer was firm.

“No. This child can’t stay.

“I’ll tell Yasmine the baby has problems and convince her to get rid of it. Noah is insecure. I can’t let him feel hurt.”

He comforted Yara a little more, then turned around, only to lock eyes with Yasmine.

For a moment, panic flickered across his face.

“Yasmine, y-you’re awake? When did you wake up? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Her voice was hoarse when she spoke.

“Just now.”

“Then… did you hear what the doctor said?”

The way he tested her made Yasmine’s lips curl in mockery. “I didn’t hear anything. Weren’t you the only one in here just now?”

Relief washed over him. After a pause, he said carefully, “Yasmine, you’re pregnant. Two months already.

“But the doctor told me the baby might not be developing well. He suggested we end it. Do you agree?”

He looked a little guilty.

He knew how long she had dreamed of having a child that was theirs.

But for Noah’s sake, he had no choice.

He had even prepared fake test results because he was certain Yasmine would refuse.

But before he could take them out, Yasmine said softly, “Alright.”

He almost thought he had misheard her.

“What did you say?”

Calmly, Yasmine said, “I said that’s alright. Let’s get rid of the baby.”

To be born into such a cruel family was a curse in itself.

Leo did not want a child who would threaten Noah’s inheritance. She did not want a child who would have to fight for their own father’s love.

A baby deserved everything good in the world.

If the baby could not have that, then it was better not to be born at all.

Leo stared at Yasmine. He was unsettled by how decisive she was.

Something about her felt different, though he could not put his finger on it. He told himself he was just imagining it.

She was still obedient and compliant. That should have made him happy.

The abortion went ahead as planned.

For Yasmine, it was the first since she returned to the past, but it was the eleventh time across both lifetimes.

As the warm blood seeped out of her, her eyes grew red despite her efforts to hold back her tears.

Leo held her hand and comforted her. “Don’t be sad, Yasmine. We’ll have more children.”

They both knew it was a lie.

There would never be another.

Yasmine said nothing. Leo ran out of words.

The air between them turned awkward.

And yet, compared to the chaos of recent years, the quiet almost felt like a relief.

Ever since Yara and Noah had moved into their small courtyard house, Yasmine had seemed like a different person. She had always been fussy before.

Looking at her pale face, a flicker of pity softened Leo’s eyes.

He was just about to tell her that he would treat her better and not to overthink this when the door suddenly opened.

Yara walked in with a lunchbox and smiled brightly.

“Yasmine’s been through so much. I went to the state-run restaurant to buy some food to help her recover.”

The tin lunchbox was crammed with greasy fried chicken, a slab of meatloaf, and even a side of garlic butter shrimp.

Yasmine felt nauseous with just one glance.

But Leo looked relieved and placed the lunchbox in front of Yasmine without hesitation.

“Yara, these dishes are so hard to get! After everything Yasmine put you through, you still are thoughtful. That’s very kind of you.”

Then, he winked at Yasmine. He was probably hinting that she should thank Yara.

Yasmine ignored him.

She knew exactly what he meant. Yara had given her a way out, and Leo wanted her to play along and take it.

But why should she?

She had done nothing wrong. The ones who were truly disgraceful were Leo and Yara.

When Yasmine stayed silent, Yara jumped in smoothly.

“Yeah, I waited in line so long my legs cramped up.”

As she spoke, she casually lifted the hem of her dress.

Leo’s eyes fell on her smooth, bare legs, and his gaze darkened.

“Yasmine, you eat first. I’ll take Yara to the doctor for her cramps. After all, she stood in line for you.”

Yasmine stayed silent, disgust churning inside her.

She knew he had gone to hook up with Yara, again.