****Payne's brows furrowed deeply as her gaze fixated on the faint but unmistakable finger marks on her mother's arm. Concern etched across her features, she approached her mother with cautious steps."Mom," she began, her voice laced with a mixture of apprehension and determination, "I can't ignore this. What happened? Did someone hurt you?"Her mother's eyes met hers, flickering with a fleeting moment of hesitation before she offered a faint smile, attempting to downplay the situation. "Oh, sweetie, it's nothing to fret over. Just a minor accident at work, that's all.""An accident?" Payne repeated, her tone incredulous as she reached out to gently trace the marks on her mother's arm. "These look more than just accidental. Please, Mom, tell me the truth.""That must have been Ceece, shuttling me around for the audition! So it's fine, Payne," Jasmine said as she made her way to the kitchen, where Nadia was diligently preparing dinner.Nadia was in the midst of cooking noodles for Pay
****On the contrary, Damon and Dante arrived at his great-grandfather's house."Master and the young master have arrived," the announcement echoed through the halls, capturing the attention of the entire Colley family gathered by the door. Presently, Damon and Dante made their entrance.Although they yearned to rush to Dante and envelop him in their arms, the little chap was rather sensitive. Apart from Damon, he remained quite aloof from everyone else. Much like his father, he was truly cut from the same cloth. He possessed a reserved demeanor and seriousness, akin to that of an adult. It was as though he were not a child of his tender years but rather exceptionally mature for his age.The first person, who rushed to Damon and Dante was Cindy. Elder Colley had adopted Cindy when she was five. One day, he announced she would be Damon's wife because Cindy was the apple of Grandfather Colley's eyes. According to him, Cindy was noble and reserved.Cindy hugged Damon with a glad heart as
*****"I don't get it why would I use everyone's perspective about my life, then what will be the difference between all of you and me," Damon curtly replied to his aunt who thought she could change Damon's thought, however, his words were the way to cold for her to swallow with a smile. Hence she withdrew her head from Damon to her phone."Ah, Damon, you never fail to ignite my interest in these family gatherings," chimed another voice, brimming with enthusiasm, as all eyes turned toward the young man descending the stairs."You, my brother, are like a towering mountain of ice," the person continued, his words tinged with admiration, "And anyone daring to mold you to their whim would find themselves swiftly entombed beneath a glacier of your words.""Ian, don't encourage your brother!" Damon's aunt grumbled to her son."Encourage works on child, and mother, it's Damon's life; stop putting fingers in his life," Ian spoke and headed over to Dante before taking him in his arms, "I broug
***** "Are you out of your mind, Cindy? Why are you acting so weird?" Damon said with a displeased tone as he pushed Cindy from him with a light hand. "I am acting weird because I am insecure about our relationship, you know," Cindy's expression softened, a hint of vulnerability creeping in. "It's just... I don't feel everything is fine." Her eyes searched his for understanding. "I want more than just a commitment from you." She paused, a slight tremor in her voice. "Every time I see other women linking up with you, it's like a knife through my heart, you know?" "People make rumors about me just to be in the headlines, that's all," Damon remarked with a distant attitude, his expression aloof as if he wanted Cindy to back off. "I thought you were sensible." There was a subtle implication in his tone. If it had been any other girl, he might have pushed her away harder, but Cindy was special to his grandfather, who wouldn't tolerate any mistreatment of her. "Then kiss me, prove to me
*****The next morning, Jasmine was left alone in the house as she got ready to visit her mother's grave. Nadia received an invitation to a small event with her businessmates and wanted to bring Payne with her. As a result, she eventually dresses Payne up well and lets her leave with Nadia. Before departing, Payne stated, "Mommy, please do not forget to give grandma my favorite flower and tell her that I will come to see her soon!" At the time, Jasmine got a call from Ceece."What distant shores have you set sail for? I've reached out countless times, leaving texts in your inbox, yet no response from you has found their way back to me," Jasmine exclaimed, her brow furrowed in frustration."Jas, I gotta hit you with some seriously bad news, and honestly, I'm drawing a total blank on how to wiggle out of this one," Ceece groaned over the phone, her voice tight with tension."What's up?" Jasmine's voice lowered a notch, a tinge of apprehension creeping in."I don't know how it happened
*****"Veronica," Jasmine repeated, her voice tinged with recognition as she observed the person who had just slapped the car bonnet hard."Layla said you were practically dead, disappearing into thin air after getting pregnant!" Veronica exclaimed, a hint of ridicule evident on her face as she addressed Jasmine."I hope seeing me has changed your opinion," Jasmine said, her voice carefully controlled as she addressed Veronica and the others gathered around. She knew this group well; they could easily be considered Layla's followers.Veronica scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "Don't flatter yourself, Jasmine. Just because you decided to grace us with your presence doesn't mean anything has changed. You look as poor as you were. By the way, you hit my car" she retorted, her tone dripping with disdain."I was a little distracted, I apologize," Jasmine began, her tone sincere as she addressed Veronica. "But I can see that your car is fine, just got a few scratches," she added, gestur
***** Jasmine suddenly felt a shadow hover over her, tall and wide as if a tree stood before her. She looked up and found herself gazing into the face of Damon. His eyes, sharp and narrow, twitched as he spoke. “How much money do you need, Jasmine?” he asked, his voice carrying the weight of something unspoken. "What?" Jasmine inquired since she could not comprehend what he was trying to express. Besides, what exactly was he doing here? She turned her head and noticed a black automobile on the opposite side of the road. "My question is not such hard to understand. I inquired how much money you needed right now since you were sobbing on the road, which must be because of money," Damon said without feelings in his voice. Jasmine's eyes narrowed as she licked her bottom lip, a gesture of skepticism as she gazed upon the man before her. In her years, she had never encountered one so lacking in the ways of communication. "I have no need to seek your aid, nor do I recognize any k
*****Jasmine stood up to leave. On the way she thought about how she would spend her days without a job because all are savings had been given to the house. She did not know how but all the work had suddenly been taken away from her and she had no one to blame.Suddenly she bumped into a man, "Oh, I am sorry! I was bit distracted, sir,""Jasmine!""Oh... Uncle Bittle! It is good to see you again!" Jasmine politely said. Uncle Bittle was a little bit older than her father, but he used to hang out in their house when she was a teenager."I was not sure it was you, Jasmine, but my assumption is correct," Uncle Bittle replied. "I heard you no longer reside here, so you are returning to your house to visit your father!""No, I was just here!?" Jasmine struggled to answer as she believed Uncle Bittle did not know anything about their family matter."Are you aware that your father is seriously unwell as a result of cancer?" Mr Bittle inquired, seeming surprised. Jasmine blinked a few times