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.

Yasmine said calmly, “Fine. Go ahead.”

The next two days passed the same way.

Whenever Yara came by with food, she would complain about one ache or another, and Leo would take her out for a “check-up.”

The meals Yara brought were things Yasmine could not stomach, but Leo never paid them any mind.

After three days in the hospital, Yasmine had lost a lot of weight.

Even the nurses began looking at her with pity.

She only gave them a faint, grateful smile and showed no sign of sadness.

Maybe she had grown numb to it all. Even if she saw Leo and Yara in bed with her own eyes, her heart would not stir again.

She thought she had already had enough of it. She wanted to wait a little longer before she left for good. But she had not expected that someone still saw her as a thorn in their side.

When she returned from the hospital, she found that her packed bag had been rifled through.

A sense of dread washed over her. She rushed to check and realized that the jade bracelet she had hidden at the bottom was gone.

Her parents had loved each other so much. Her father gave his life for the country when she was still a child, and her mother spent the rest of her life alone.

That bracelet was her father’s gift and a symbol of his devotion to her mother. It was the one thing her mother had held onto all her life.

On her deathbed, her mother had given it to Leo. She had asked him to put it on Yasmine’s wrist and swear to treat her well for life.

Leo had said, “If I ever fail Yasmine, may I lose everyone and witness my family’s ruin.”

Yasmine had quickly covered his mouth to stop him.

Back then, she had truly believed him.

It was only after learning he had deceived her all along that she took the bracelet off.

But where had the bracelet gone?

She tore through the house in panic and searched every corner.

Then, she spotted Noah in the yard playing with his friends. Dangling carelessly from his hand was her bracelet.

Her heart jumped to her throat.

“Noah, give that bracelet back to me!”

Noah turned and made a face at her.

“Even my mom doesn’t have something like this! Why should I give it to you?

“I’d rather smash it than let you wear it. La-la-la!”

He tossed the bracelet to the ground.

With a sharp crack, it shattered into pieces. He was not satisfied with that, and he stomped on the shards.

“Stupid bracelet! Here, take it! Pick it up yourself!”

The last thread of Yasmine’s reason snapped.

She rushed forward and slapped Noah across his smug little face.

He fell to the ground and sobbed loudly.

“You trash! You hit me! I’ll tell Dad to kick you out!”

“Yasmine, you’re mistreating Noah again?!”

Just as Yasmine leaned down to gather the broken pieces, Leo slapped her so hard that she fell to the ground.

The jagged shards cut deep into her palm, and blood oozed from her hand.

Leo did not even look at her. He went straight to Noah, gathered him into his arms, and comforted him.

“Noah, this is all your Auntie Yasmine’s fault. I’ll make her apologize.”

But Yasmine refused to do so.

“He’s the one who broke my bracelet! Do you have any idea what that meant to my mother—”

Leo cut her off impatiently and said, “Your mother is dead! It’s just a bracelet. I can buy you another!”

Yasmine staggered back. She was unsteady on her feet.

Leo realized he had gone too far. For a moment, guilt flickered in his eyes.

But it vanished the instant he saw tears well up in Yara’s eyes.

“Leo, maybe Noah and I should move out. I can take care of him myself. We don’t want to get in your way.”

He looked at Yara and thought she was trying to hold her pain back and was only thinking of him. Then, he looked at Yasmine, who seemed cold and unyielding.

Disappointment filled him.

“Yasmine, I’ll ask you one last time. Will you apologize to Noah?”

“I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?”

“Fine. Fine! Your temper’s gotten out of control lately. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Leo let out a bitter chuckle and picked up his phone.

“I suspect Yasmine has ties to foreign agents and is leaking state secrets. Take her in for interrogation.”

The “evidence” he handed over was nothing but letters from the foreign professor Emma had arranged for her studies.

Yasmine felt like she had been thrown into ice-cold water. She froze.

Times had changed. Things were more open now than before, but if one was accused of colluding with foreign forces, interrogation was unavoidable.

Leo knew what happened to the people under questioning. He had told her all about their misery.

Yet for Yara and Noah’s sake, he was handing her over himself.

Guards pushed her forward. Before she was taken away, Leo leaned in close.

“You think faking a letter to study abroad just to play your little game with me would make me send Yara and Noah away? Take this as a lesson. Stop your scheming.”

If he had only looked at her face, he would have seen the last flicker of hope for him die in her eyes.

But he did not look at her.

He had abandoned her many times before. Why would this time be any different?

Yasmine did not fight back. She could not take it anymore.

They locked her in a pitch-black interrogation room. The cold air raised goosebumps across her skin.

The one in charge was Leo’s own subordinate.

His eyes were filled with disdain. He cracked a whip in his hand and brought it down hard.

Snap! Snap!

The whip, soaked in saltwater, carved bloody welts into her skin.

Yasmine screamed and spat out through gritted teeth, “Is this your idea of interrogation? This is nothing but torture!”

Her cries only fueled him. He struck harder.

“Our commander sacrificed his legs for this country, while you colluded with foreign powers! You shame him!

“He told me to make sure you learned your lesson. Whatever happens, he’ll take responsibility. Now, tell me. What was in that letter?”

Did he love Yara and Noah that much?

Leo loved them so much that he was willing to see her beaten like this!

She shook from the pain. She was about to speak, but the man sneered.

“Forget it! You’ll only deny it. Keep beating her! Don’t stop until she breaks.”

Two men dragged her away.

The nightmare lasted four days.

Her body was covered in whip marks, and her fingers were bruised from being crushed repeatedly.

Each time she passed out, a bucket of salt water brought her back.

There was not an inch left on her body that was not in pain.

She thought she really might die here.

Then, the door opened. Yara walked in as she pushed Leo’s wheelchair forward.

Leo looked down at the tied-up Yasmine. For a moment, pity flashed in his eyes.

“Yasmine, it’s been four days. Do you admit your mistake?

“Yara is generous. She’s willing to let go of how you treated her and Noah. If you just apologize, I’ll take you back home.”

Her heart had long turned to stone, yet his words still made her laugh bitterly.

“Fine! I’m sorry.

“I’m sorry for resenting Yara and Noah. I’m sorry for getting in the way of your love for them. I’m sorry for showing up at the Quinton house and disturbing your happy little family. Is that enough?”

Leo saw her teary eyes, and anxiety stirred in his chest.

“Yasmine, that’s not what I meant.

“There’s nothing between me and Yara. I swore to my brother I’d take care of her and Noah. You know that. Why can’t you understand?”

Yara stepped in to add fuel to the fire.

“Yasmine still misunderstands us, Leo. Maybe Noah and I shouldn’t be around you anymore.”

Leo shook his head without hesitation.

“No. Not again. Yara, I don’t want to hear that again. If you leave with Noah, how can I face my brother?”

He turned back to Yasmine, and disappointment burned in his eyes.

“Yasmine, you’re being childish! Stay here and reflect.”

He wheeled away in anger.

Yara did not follow.

She stopped in front of Yasmine, lifted her chin with a finger, and smiled airily.

“See? I put in the slightest effort, and Leo won’t listen to you.”

She then placed a hand on her stomach. Her expression was smug and taunting.

“You haven’t heard yet, have you? I’m carrying Leo’s child.”