Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Leila was Sebastian’s great aunt. Since her marriage didn’t work out, she had divorced early and moved back to the Zimmerman family. She and Kävim had been super close, like sisters.
A month ago, Anne passed away, and Leila’s health took a nosedive. She was in the hospital more than she was out of it, her frail Body getting weaker by the day.
Three days ago, she’d finally felt well enough to go home, only to discover Yasmine was gone. Five days of waiting with no answers had sent her into a rage, and the stress landed her right back in a hospital bed.
“Leila, Yasmine left on her own.” Sebastian said, his expression grim.
“Of course she did. You cheated, and did you expect her to stick around and take it?” Leila snapped. Then her voice dropped, bitter. “You know why i came back to the Zimmermans all those years ago, don’t you?”
Sebastian fell silent.
Leila’s marriage had ended because of another woman. Even decades later, the pain still lingered. Just mentioning it would cast a shadow over her mood. That was why she despised homewreckers the most.
“You’re hopeless!” Leila gave Sebastian a sideways glance and tossed another pillow at him. “I’m the only old–timer left in the family. If you think I’m in the way, just say it. I’ll pack my things and throw myself off the roof tomorrow.
“But mark my words–you’d better hide that new fling of yours well. If I ever find out who she is, I’ll make sure she never sleeps peacefully again.”
Sebastian sidestepped the pillow with a sigh. “I’m looking for Yasmine.”
Leila’s expression softened slightly. “Then explain the trending scandal.”
Sebastian went silent again. He and Ashley had agreed to keep their arrangement private–his way of making amends.
His silence only fueled Leila’s rage. Illness forgotten, she threw off the blankets and stormed toward him, grabbing his tie with surprising strength.
“Don’t you dare tell me you had your reasons!” she shouted, her voice raw. “You slept with another woman while married–you’re pure scum.
“Listen, Sebastian. If you want to divorce Yasmine for your little fling, you better find her first and do this right. You’re the cheater, so you walk away with nothing. At least make sure Yasmine never has to worry about money again.”
Tears streamed down Leila’s weathered face. “You jerk!” she sobbed. “You’ve been ganging up on Yasmine because she came from an orphanage. You’re all bullies–you, your mom, and your sister.”
‘My mom and sister were mean to Yasmine?‘ Sebastian thought, à flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. He’d always thought the family got along great.
The next moment, the words slipped out before he could stop them. “But Yasmine was the one who-”
“Don’t you dare try to pin the blame on Yasmine,” Leila cut him off, her eyes blazing. “You’re always busy with work. I’m the one who’s home the most. know exactly how Yasmine’s been holding this family together.
“Here’s how this will go. You want a divorce? Fine. But every cent you’ve earned in these three years belongs to Yasmine. No money, no divorce. And that homewrecker of yours will never set foot in our house.”
After Leila finished speaking in one breath, her legs gave way and she fainted.
Sebastian quickly caught her before she fell. He stuck around while the doctors checked on her, restarted the IV, and said she was out of danger. Only then did he head out of the hospital.
The night was cool and crisp. Sebastian stood in darkness, Leila’s words haunting him as a disturbing thought surfaced. ‘Had we been wrong about
1/2
Chapter 23
Yasmine all along?”
AD
Comment
