Sorry, You're Not the Father Free Preview

"Ma'am, it happened! She... she just gave birth!"

Mrs. Gable's voice was laced with suppressed fury as she delivered the news to Jasmine.

Jasmine, however, remained eerily composed. "A boy or a girl?"

"A boy! The Matriarch and Mrs. Vance are absolutely ecstatic, raving about how beautiful he is. Even Mr. Vance is so thrilled..."

Mrs. Gable caught herself and abruptly silenced her tongue.

She cast a look of profound pity at the woman sitting motionless by the floor-to-ceiling window, then sighed and walked away.

Jasmine felt her heart sink, despite herself.

The entire Vance family had been on high alert these past few days, camping out at the hospital for Felicity's delivery.

Including her own husband.

In fact, he hadn't left Felicity's side for a single second.

He was infinitely more devoted to his widowed sister-in-law than he had ever been to his own wife.

The door clicked, and Silas Vance suddenly walked in.

He looked to be in an exceptionally good mood, devoid of the icy aloofness he usually displayed toward Jasmine.

"Felicity just had the baby—eight pounds, six ounces. He's such a little chunk, absolutely precious."

Those were the first words out of Silas's mouth the moment he stepped inside.

The excitement in his tone was impossible to ignore.

"The little guy was quite stubborn during the birth; he put Felicity through quite a lot of pain. We initially suggested a C-section, but she insisted on a natural birth. We had to respect her wishes.

"Still, Grandma and Mom were in tears just watching her suffer like that."

The "Felicity" Silas spoke of so tenderly was Felicity Sterling.

The pampered princess of the Sterling Group, who had married into the Vance family three years ago, on the same day as Jasmine.

Jasmine had married the eldest son, Silas.

While Felicity had married the younger brother, Julian.

It was a double wedding that had sent shockwaves through the elite circles of Rivercrest.

But the happiness was short-lived.

Julian, a man obsessed with high-speed thrills, was involved in a horrific collision with a semi-truck during a street race. He didn't survive.

Jasmine remembered it vividly.

On their wedding day, Julian had made a point of vowing to give up racing for Felicity's sake.

Why he had suddenly decided to race that night remained a mystery.

And just like that, the Sterling princess became a widow.

The Vances felt an immense debt of guilt toward her and had even encouraged her to remarry.

But Felicity steadfastly refused, choosing to stay with her late husband's family.

This display of loyalty only endeared her more to the Vances, who began to dote on her to an absurd degree.

How far did that devotion go?

They went as far as finding a "special way" for her to conceive a Vance heir.

Since Julian was gone, the "source" for that way was naturally his identical twin brother.

Jasmine kept her eyes lowered, staring at her slender fingertips with an expressionless face. "Congratulations."

Silas's smile slowly faded. "What kind of attitude is that?"

"The attitude of someone offering congratulations," Jasmine replied.

Silas stepped closer, looming over her with an intimidating presence.

"What do you mean, congratulate 'me'? Jasmine! On a day like this, can you stop with the sarcasm?"

Jasmine looked up, her gaze cold.

"She gave birth to a child that's half your credit. Shouldn't I congratulate you?"

Silas's displeasure was now palpable.

"Felicity went through hell to have this child because she loved Julian! He's gone, and she needed a reason to keep living, a piece of him to hold onto. Is that a crime?"

Jasmine let out a nearly imperceptible sigh.

"And did you ever ask for my consent?"

When she first heard Felicity was pregnant, Jasmine assumed it was Julian's posthumous child.

Even when Felicity's pregnancy tantrums became unbearable, Jasmine treated her with nothing but respect.

It wasn't until the timeline of the pregnancy became suspiciously clear that Silas finally confessed the truth.

Silas had told her, "The child Felicity is carrying is the result of artificial insemination. They used the sperm I had frozen years ago. The whole family agreed on this. I hope you can understand."

The entire family had kept her in the dark about something this monumental.

They waited until the damage was done before even thinking about telling me.

And all she got was a dismissive "I hope you can understand"?

Silas sat on the opposite sofa, lit a cigarette, and watched the flame of his gold lighter flicker.

Silas was undeniably handsome, with sharp, aristocratic features and gold-rimmed glasses that gave him that sophisticated, intellectual elite senior vibe.

It was exactly that charm that had drawn Jasmine to him in the beginning.

Looking back, she realized her brain must have been malfunctioning at the time.

Silas took a drag and exhaled slowly, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Felicity practically begged me, and since the elders were all for it, I decided to go through with it.

"I didn't tell you beforehand because I was afraid you'd disagree and cause a scene.

"You have to realize that Julian's death nearly destroyed Felicity. She was bordering on clinical depression and couldn't handle any more stress.

"She just wanted a child. With that anchor, she can finally move past the pain. For me, it was nothing more than a simple favor."

A small favor?

This was the first time Jasmine had heard someone use the phrase "small favor" so shamelessly.

How convenient!

His reasoning was as polished as it was plausible.

She remained silent for a long time.

It wasn't because she had nothing to say.

It was because she had so much to say that she didn't want to say any of it.

She was afraid that if she started poking holes in his sordid excuses, she might actually lose her mind.

Silas looked at her delicate face—perfectly features clouded by a faint, lingering sorrow—and felt a strange pang of discomfort.

Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.

It was Felicity.

Silas answered, his voice dropping into a sickeningly tender register.

"Yeah, I'm home."

"I grabbed a bite on the road."

"I'll shower and change before heading back. I can't have little Leo seeing me looking like a mess."

"Right. You get some rest. I'll be there in a bit."

After hanging up, Silas added casually.

"Grandma picked the name. Leo Vance. We thought about using Julian's middle name, but it felt a bit much, so we went with Leo."

Jasmine stood up. "You should get going then. Your sister-in-law and your son are waiting."

The words stung, and Silas flared up instantly. "Jasmine, can you stop being so petty!

"Using mine is better than using a stranger's, isn't it? At least he's a Vance through and through."

Jasmine tilted her head, a mocking half-smile on her lips. "I'm just curious, how exactly did you 'donate'?"

A flash of unease crossed Silas's face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"How else? I told you, I had sperm frozen at the bank years ago. You knew about that."

Jasmine did know.

Silas had frozen his sperm long before she ever married into the family.

Silas used a tone of reprimand, sounding utterly innocent.

"Jasmine, how could you even doubt me?"

Jasmine lightly brushed a stray hair from her forehead, her smile unreadable. "I was just asking. Why the sudden panic?"

Silas sighed. "Nothing is going on between Felicity and me. It's not like I cheated.

"Besides, Grandma and Mom have been miserable since Julian died. Having Leo will help them heal from the pain of outliving their son. Isn't that a good thing? We've been married for three years, and if you had only..."

Jasmine had been married to Silas for three years, and her womb had remained empty.

Her mother-in-law, Victoria Vance, often sneered behind her back, calling her a "barren hen" who couldn't lay a single egg, treating her with nothing but cold disdain.

Jasmine had even secretly gone to the hospital for a check-up.

Fortunately, she had no fertility issues.

The "barren hen" talk was just an excuse.

The real reason was that the Thorne family, misled by poor advice, had lost two major investment gambles and was now drowning in debt.

Their glory days were over; they were on a steep decline.

"You should visit Felicity at the hospital tomorrow. Don't let her get in her head and think you're avoiding her out of spite. You know how sensitive she is."

With that parting shot, Silas left.

Jasmine returned to her room and pulled a photograph from her drawer.

An anonymous source had mailed it to her a month ago.

In the photo, a man and a woman were caught in an intimate moment in front of a five-star hotel.

The couple was none other than Silas Vance and Felicity Sterling.

So, this was how Silas donated his sperm. Directly.

The hospital Felicity was staying in was a prestigious international maternity center with an exorbitant price tag.

To ensure everything went perfectly, the Matriarch, Madeline Vance, had flown in a renowned specialist from abroad to oversee the delivery.

Inside the VIP suite.

Felicity lay in bed, her complexion glowing and healthy, showing no signs of the ordeal she had supposedly just endured.

Silas sat by the bed, holding a bowl and carefully spoon-feeding her soup.

He blew on every spoonful, terrified it might be too hot for her.

Jasmine couldn't help but reflect on her three years with Silas.

In all that time, he had never shown her this level of meticulous tenderness.

Their marriage was defined by politeness, distance, and perfunctory efforts.

Even their intimacy felt like a duty he was checking off a list.

Jasmine had always assumed that was just who Silas was.

A man who had grown up in the spotlight, accustomed to a life of privilege, found it difficult to lower his head.

It wasn't until Julian died that Jasmine realized how wrong she was.

Silas's expensive head only bowed for the one person he truly loved.

Jasmine pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The two of them turned their heads in unison.

Felicity looked genuinely delighted to see her. "Jasmine! You're here!"

The cheerful greeting made Jasmine feel distinctly uncomfortable.

Silas used a napkin to gently dab Felicity's mouth before speaking. "You made it."

"Yes," Jasmine replied simply.

"Stay with Felicity for a while," Silas said. "I'm going downstairs to get some fruit. She has a sudden craving for grapes."

Felicity beamed, her eyes dancing with a mix of affection and playfulness. "Oh, just send one of the staff. Why go yourself?"

"I'd rather do it myself," Silas insisted. "I know exactly what you like. I'll see if there's anything else fresh while I'm at it. It's just downstairs, I'll be back soon."

Felicity's expression turned shy. "Okay, then."

As Silas passed Jasmine, he glanced at the bouquet in her arms.

"Leave the flowers on the balcony. Felicity can't stand sunflowers."

Jasmine suppressed the urge to smash the flowers into his face and forced a thin smile. "Fine."

Felicity reached out. "Come here, Jasmine. Have a seat."

Jasmine pointedly ignored the hand and pulled up a chair on her own.

"Jasmine, are you still mad at me?" Felicity asked.

The words had barely left her mouth before her eyes welled with tears.

Her performance was pure Oscar bait.

"I know... using Silas's sperm made you unhappy, but I..."

The tears began to fall perfectly on cue.

"Before Julian and I got married, we planned to enjoy our time as a couple before having kids, but...

"I never thought something like that would happen.

"I loved Julian, and I love this family. I just wanted to leave a piece of him behind for the Vances.

"Silas and Julian are identical twins, so I begged him..."

"Jasmine!" Felicity cried, her voice trembling. "We're both women. You understand how I feel, don't you?

"So please, don't be mad at me anymore. Okay?"

Jasmine's eyes flickered as she swallowed the truth she wanted to scream. Just as she was about to speak, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Felicity! Why are you crying? You just had a baby; you cannot be shedding tears. It'll ruin your eyesight!"

Victoria Vance walked in, carrying the baby from the nursery, and shot Jasmine a venomous look of disapproval.

The infant was still so small that his features were blurred, making it impossible to tell who he resembled.

The Saint Emerald Pendant around the baby's neck, however, was impossible to miss.

Jasmine knew that pendant all too well.

It was a priceless heirloom, carved from a single piece of the finest imperial jade.

The Vance family possessed two such treasures—one a Saint, the other a Sage.

They were wedding gifts from the late patriarch to Madeline Vance.

When the two brothers married, Madeline had given the Saint to her eldest grandson, Silas.

The Sage had gone to Julian.

It seemed Silas had already gifted his priceless heirloom to this child.

It was a testament to how much he valued the boy.

"You still can't let this go, can you? You actually came here just to harass Felicity?"

Jasmine was bewildered by the accusation.

Had she even opened her mouth?

She hadn't said a d*mn word!

"Felicity did this with the entire family's blessing. If you ask me, you're just jealous!

"You've been with Silas for three years and haven't even had a hint of a pregnancy. If you're looking for someone to blame, blame your own barren womb."

The statement was loaded with offensive implications.

Jasmine looked up, her gaze icy as she delivered a calm retort.

"So, what you're saying, Victoria, is that Felicity didn't have this baby to carry on Julian's legacy, but to replace me in providing Silas with an heir?"

Victoria was momentarily stunned into silence.

"That's not what I meant! I'm saying you're jealous!"

Jasmine offered a faint, hollow smile and chose not to argue further.

It was pointless to reason with someone as biased as Victoria.

Especially since Victoria had despised her from day one.

Felicity, playing the peacemaker, chimed in through her tears.

"Victoria, please don't yell at Jasmine. If you do, people will think I'm the reason for the tension between you two. I'll feel so guilty."

Victoria immediately softened into a smile. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. I'm just trying to stand up for you. Some people think they can walk all over you because you're kind, so they act without any shame.

"Hmph, they really think the Vance family is a pushover."

Felicity opened her arms to take the baby, her eyes overflowing with maternal love.

And... satisfaction.

Since Julian's death, the Vance household had become noticeably feminine.

From Madeline to Victoria, and then the daughter Chloe who was studying abroad, plus Felicity and Jasmine—it was a house of women.

Silas was the only source of masculine energy left.

Now that there was a second male heir to carry on the line, the family was naturally overjoyed.

After feeding the baby, Felicity handed him back to Victoria.

Victoria cradled him gently, rocking him back and forth.

Felicity's phone rang, and she took the call.

It was brief, and she hung up looking pleased.

"Victoria, my father said he and Mom are coming to see me this afternoon."

Victoria put on her best act of a doting elder.

"Speaking of your parents, that reminds me. Did your father manage to secure that plot of land in the South District?"

That land was highly coveted.

But between the astronomical price and the political red tape, no one had been successful yet.

"I heard my father say it's almost finalized, but I don't know the details. I'll ask him when he comes by this afternoon."

"Don't bother asking," Victoria said quickly. "I was just making conversation. Your Sterling Group is expanding into so many areas now. You'll have to look out for our Vance family in the future."

"Victoria..." Felicity drawled playfully. "What are you saying? We're family. There's no 'looking out' for each other—Vance business is Sterling business."

The words were music to Victoria's ears, and she beamed like a blooming flower.

She turned and noticed Jasmine was still there, her eyes practically screaming four words:

Get out. Now.

Jasmine left silently.

Like a ghost in a house that wasn't hers.

In the hallway, she ran into Silas, who was returning with several bags.

"Leaving?" Silas asked.

"Yes."

"We were going to have Felicity stay at a postpartum center, but she didn't like the idea. She wants to recover at home, so we've hired the best nannies."

Jasmine felt nothing. "What's your point?"

"Just keeping you in the loop."

"Don't be so formal," Jasmine said. "You make it sound like I actually have a say in your life. Do whatever you want."

The tone didn't sit well with Silas. "You..."

Jasmine cut him off. "Silas, you're forgiven."

I forgive your coldness.

And I forgive your betrayal.

Because none of it matters anymore.

Jasmine turned and walked away without a second glance.

Her back was straight, her pace steady and unhurried.

Silas watched her go for a moment, a strange sensation flickering in his chest, before he finally stepped back into the suite.

Jasmine didn't go home. Instead, she drove to the maternity department of a different hospital.

When Silas walked in, Felicity was lost in a fit of melancholy.

Seeing her so distressed pained him. He sat by the bed and gently took her hand. "What's wrong? Why are your eyes so red?"

Felicity's voice was small and laden with sorrow. "Silas, I'm so sorry."

"Did Jasmine say something to you?"

"Silas, what should I do? Jasmine seems so angry with me."

Silas ran a hand over her hair. "You're so sweet; how could she be mad at you? She's just throwing a tantrum. She'll get over it in a few days."

"But Jasmine..." Felicity sobbed. "Will she divorce you over this? If she does, I'll be a criminal in her eyes."

Silas didn't seem concerned. "She won't. There's no way she'd divorce me."

The Thorne family wasn't what it used to be three years ago. Being tied to a powerhouse like the Vances was a blessing for them.

Besides, Jasmine was never a real heiress in the Thorne family. She was more like a neglected outsider.

It was only after marrying him that her life had truly improved.

So Silas was certain that Jasmine would never leave him.

"Alright, stop being sad. Didn't Mom say you need to recover properly, or you'll have health issues later on?"

"Silas, if I wanted to have another child later, would you be willing?"

Felicity looked at him with eyes full of tenderness and expectation.

She loved everything about this man.

He had Julian's shadow, but he was more mature, more grounded—more of a man.

She had thought he was a cold, unfeeling person.

Until the night Julian died, when Silas had held her and whispered comforting words until dawn.

And in the days that followed, he had been nothing but attentive.

She realized then that deep down, this man was incredibly soft-hearted.

If she had realized it sooner, she might never have chosen Julian.

Silas didn't answer her question.

It wasn't that he didn't want to; he just didn't know how to.

If he had to choose again, would he do the same thing?

After Felicity successfully conceived, why did he feel a twisted sense of relief that he no longer had to share a bed with her?

He even felt a sense of guilt.

But he clearly didn't love Jasmine...

Seeing Silas's mind wandering, Felicity's brow tightened for a split second before she masked it.

She had Victoria bring the baby over.

Sure enough, the moment Silas saw the child, the tenderness on his face was undeniable.

Felicity felt a secret surge of triumph.

A perfect family of three.

Meanwhile, Jasmine's lab results were ready.

The doctor looked genuinely happy for her. "It wasn't easy, but the artificial insemination was a success! Make sure you rest and take care of yourself when you get home."

The little life she had hoped for for three years had finally become a reality.

Jasmine suddenly felt the urge to cry.

Partly out of joy.

But mostly out of helplessness and despair.

When Sierra Reed rushed over, Jasmine had been sitting on a bench in a daze for a long time.

Sierra was breathless and fuming. "My literal trash-fire of a boss! Taking time off is like pulling teeth. He kept rambling forever before finally letting me go!"

Jasmine and Sierra had been college roommates and were as close as sisters.

"You didn't really have to come..." Jasmine said.

"How could I not come for something this big?" Sierra stared at the report for a few seconds before a thought struck her. "Wait a minute! Haven't you and that b*stard been sleeping in separate rooms for ages? Where did this baby come from?

"Jasmine! You didn't... sleep with someone else just to get back at him, did you?"

Jasmine couldn't help but laugh through her tears. "It's Silas's."

"Huh?"

Jasmine was reluctant to explain. "Silas had sperm frozen at the hospital. I... I used it without him knowing."

"What!"

Sierra's eyes were wide as saucers.

The story was far more twisted than she had imagined...

When Felicity got pregnant, the entire Vance household was overjoyed.

But at the same time, Jasmine's life had become even more unbearable.

Madeline and Victoria had become even more brazen about mocking her empty womb, placing an invisible, suffocating shackle around her.

It was that shackle that reminded Jasmine of the sperm Silas had stored at the hospital.

So, she had secretly undergone artificial insemination.

Jasmine smiled self-deprecatingly. "Since I didn't know if it would work, I didn't tell anyone.

"I thought if it was successful, I could give Silas a surprise."

But her surprise hadn't even arrived yet.

Silas had hit her with a shock first.

If she had known this would happen, she would never have conceived his child!

Sierra cursed through gritted teeth. "B*stard! That man doesn't deserve your devotion! He couldn't even leave his own sister-in-law alone! Men really are just slaves to their basic instincts!"

Jasmine took a deep breath. "He was in love with Felicity even before we got married."

"What?" Sierra's voice jumped several octaves. "Are you kidding me? So... you were just a replacement?"

Jasmine gave a bitter smile. "I wasn't even a replacement."

Sierra spat in disgust. "My god! Is Silas even human? Doesn't he know how much you love him? How much you've done for him?

"Remember when his tech company's core system hit a dead end? They were on the brink of bankruptcy! It was you, the computer genius, who secretly helped him break through and open up the market!

"And there were so many times when you secretly handled the clients he couldn't close!

"You even felt bad for him drinking too much at business dinners, so you stepped in to drink for him until you were sick."

But that man hadn't even blinked an eye.

"You did all that for him and never asked for a single thing in return. You don't even have a salary, let alone shares in the company!

"And now he has the nerve to be this ungrateful!"

The more Sierra thought about it, the angrier she got. "Jasmine! Divorce him! You have to leave that man!"

Jasmine's emotions gradually stabilized, and her gaze held a newfound determination.

"I'm already preparing the divorce papers. But before that, I'm going to make sure they return every single thing they took from me."

Sierra patted her shoulder in comfort. "Good! It's easy to find a better man than that b*stard, but there are plenty of men out there. Get divorced as fast as you can. Seeing those two is just bad for your health.

"And now there's another..."

Out of respect for an innocent infant, Sierra chose her words carefully.

"Now there's a kid involved, and you'll have to see him every day. It's too disgusting.

"Divorce him! Tomorrow I'll start looking for blind date candidates for you!"

Jasmine was amused. "Anyone would think I'm terrified of being single."

"You? Single? There's probably a line of men waiting for a chance."

Jasmine laughed. "You're exaggerating."

"I'm really not. Silas has no idea what you're actually capable of. If he knew who you really were, he'd be crawling back to you on his hands and knees."

Sierra put an arm around Jasmine's shoulders, feeling a wave of nostalgia.

Silas thought he had married a trophy wife, never realizing he had found a treasure.

All because of Jasmine's low-profile personality.

Back in the day, she was the one who scored a perfect mark in the International Olympiad in Informatics.

During college, Jasmine had co-founded a startup that secured $80 million in funding in just six months.

Her beauty was merely a facade. The "trophy wife" label was nothing but a brilliant disguise.

In reality, Jasmine was a top-tier scholar who loved coding and researching AI and gaming.

Sierra couldn't help but remember Jasmine's past.

"Remember that battle against the foreign hackers? It was you and someone called 'King' who led the alliance all night to counter-attack. If you hadn't, the entire national network would have collapsed."

A group of strangers met online, fueled by nothing but patriotic passion.

Sierra always regretted not being part of it.

"King" was the leader of the K-Alliance back then.

And the second-in-command, "Storm," was Jasmine.

She was only eighteen at the time.

Jasmine gave a faint smile. "That's all in the past."

"My point is, Silas is an absolute idiot. He couldn't recognize a diamond if it hit him in the face. Losing you is his biggest loss!"

Jasmine felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you, Sierra."

Sierra thought for a moment and then looked troubled. "So, what are you going to do about the baby?"

If she didn't want it, it was something she had hoped for for so long—a part of herself.

How could a mother bear to just let go?

But if she did keep it, the child was Silas's...

It was an agonizing choice.

Jasmine's thoughts gradually became clear. "I don't believe in dragging out a mistake. I'm getting an abortion."

Sierra felt truly sorry for Jasmine and gave her a tight hug.

"If only the hospital had mixed up the samples and the baby wasn't that bastard's. Then I'd have a godson.

"Hmph! I hope that the mistress's brat isn't his either. Let him see how it feels to be cheated on."

Jasmine couldn't help but laugh and warmly stroked Sierra's soft cheek.

"The chances of those things happening are nearly zero, but I appreciate the sentiment."

Jasmine's mood had lifted slightly.

Before heading back to Kingsley Bay, she tore the lab report into shreds and threw it in a trash can.

Mrs. Gable noticed her pale complexion and asked with concern, "Ma'am, you don't look well. Are you sick?"

In the entire Vance household, this was the only person who genuinely cared for her.

Jasmine forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mrs. Gable. I'm just a little hungry. Is there anything to eat?"

No wonder she had felt so hungry lately; there was a new life growing inside her.

What would her child have looked like?

The thought of that little life disappearing soon made her heart ache.

"Yes, of course. I've made some stew. I'll go get you a bowl."

Jasmine sat at the dining table and suddenly had a thought.

"Who did you make the stew for?"

Mrs. Gable hesitated. "It's for the second young madam. Mr. Vance said she's weak and needs to recover, so he told me to make it. He said he'd be back later to pick it up."

Sure it was.

"I made extra though, specifically so you could have some, Ma'am."

Jasmine suddenly lost her appetite. "Never mind. I'm not that hungry."

Mrs. Gable was a smart woman. "Ma'am, let me make you a handmade pizza instead. Back in my hometown, I was famous for them."

Jasmine knew Mrs. Gable was trying to be kind and didn't want to refuse her.

"Alright, I'll give them a try."

As Mrs. Gable moved efficiently around the kitchen, Jasmine watched her, feeling a rare moment of peace.

Her phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID, her heart grew heavy again.

Jasmine reluctantly answered.

Eleanor Thorne's voice came through like a command.

"Come home this afternoon. Your father needs to see you."

Jasmine was preoccupied. "I'm busy this afternoon."

She actually wasn't, she just didn't want to go.

Her parents' house was no better than the Vances'.

Eleanor was clearly displeased.

"Whatever it is, drop it. You have to come home today."

Jasmine leaned back lazily against the chair.

"I said I'm busy."

It had been twenty-eight years. Even a servant would have finished their sentence by now.

Eleanor clearly didn't expect her usually submissive daughter to be so firm. She was stunned for a few seconds.

"We worked so hard to raise you just so you could spite me? If I'd known, I would have left you out in the cold to starve!"

Jasmine gently rubbed her belly and said coolly, "If I had died, how would you have gotten your 'blessed son'?"

Jasmine wasn't Eleanor's biological daughter.

She was an orphan they had adopted.

Arthur and Eleanor had been married for years without a child. They had tried everything to no avail.

When Eleanor was nearly thirty, she finally conceived, but the baby was stillborn.

Eleanor, a woman who believed in the mystical, sought out a fortune teller.

The man told her she needed to adopt a girl with a specific birth chart first. He claimed this girl would bring the Thorne family their true heir.

The Thornes were fated to be childless, but this girl was fated to have a sibling.

Eleanor naturally believed him.

And so, Jasmine became the girl chosen by "fate" and was brought into the Thorne home.

Initially, because they had no other children, Eleanor treated Jasmine well.

But four years later, when Hugh, their son, was born, Jasmine was relegated to the sidelines like a forgotten concubine.

The only silver lining was that Eleanor hadn't given her some humiliating "waiting-for-a-brother" kind of name.

Hearing Jasmine's words now, Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. Her anger cooled instantly, though her words remained sharp.

"Are you looking down on us now that we're struggling? Do you think we're not good enough for the 'Mrs. Vance'?"

Jasmine heard a familiar footstep at the door.

Eleanor continued, "Your father is under so much pressure; his health isn't what it used to be. Do you just not care if he lives or dies?"

When the stick didn't work, she tried the carrot?

She had to admit, the method was effective.

Arthur Thorne had always been decent to Jasmine.

Silas was now standing in front of her. Jasmine didn't want to say more in his presence.

"I understand."

With that, she hung up.

Silas took off his coat and sat across from her.

"Who was that?"

"My mother," Jasmine replied calmly.

"What did she want?"

"To tell me I'm ungrateful for not visiting lately."

Silas gave a strange smile. "Since when does she care so much about you?"

"Maybe she found her conscience."

Silas didn't pursue the topic, looking toward the kitchen instead.

"What is Mrs. Gable doing?"

Jasmine noticed Silas seemed a bit more talkative than usual today.

"Making a handmade pizza."

"A handmade pizza?"

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "A pizza made by hand. You know, with a rolling pin."

Hearing the dismissive, mocking tone, Silas surprisingly didn't get angry.

"I know what it is. Jasmine, do you really think I'm that out of touch with the real world?"

Jasmine ignored him.

Mrs. Gable brought out a pizza.

The aroma was mouthwatering and looked incredibly appetizing.

"Make a piece for me too," Silas said.

Mrs. Gable looked surprised. "Sir, don't you have to take that stew to Felicity? It's ready. I'll pack it up for you. You should go before she gets hungry."

Jasmine thought, Well played, Mrs. Gable!

"It's not that urgent," Silas said.

"Oh dear, what should we do? I only made enough for this one plate."

Silas's gaze fell on Jasmine's plate.

Jasmine protectively covered it with her hands.

Silas found her protective streak adorable and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Share some with me."

"No."

"Don't be so stingy."

"There are some things I don't like sharing with others," Jasmine said.

That one sentence stopped Silas cold.

His brow furrowed instantly.

"Are you trying to say something?"

Jasmine chewed her pizza slowly and didn't speak until she had swallowed.

"Do you know what day it was three days ago?"

Silas thought seriously for a long time.

"What day?"

"My birthday."

Silas was stunned for a moment. "I've been so busy lately. I forgot."

Jasmine pointedly remained silent.

"I'll make it up to you with a gift."

"A gift is just an object. What I'm really looking for is a place in your heart—if there's any room left," Jasmine said.

Silas's dark eyes shifted as he got straight to the point.

"What do you want for your birthday?"

"Anything? "

"As long as it's within my power."

"I want the Imperial Emerald Saint Pendant," Jasmine said calmly. "After Julian married Felicity, he gave her his. Why don't you give me yours?"

The guilt in Silas's eyes was unmistakable.

Jasmine caught it but pretended not to see it, her voice turning softer. "Are you reluctant to part with it?"

"That pendant..."

"Fine," Jasmine said with a faint smile. "I know it's a family heirloom. I'll ask for something else instead."

Silas breathed a secret sigh of relief. "Alright. What do you want?"

"Moonlight Terrace."

Moonlight Terrace was located in the prime real estate of Rivercrest. Built along the river, it was a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city with perfect layouts and ventilation.

Even before construction was finished, the units were sold out. It was incredibly popular.

Silas had also bought a unit there.

1,700 square feet, luxuriously furnished and completely move-in ready.

Since money was no object and he hadn't bothered to rent it out, the place had remained vacant.

Seeing Silas hesitate, Jasmine added steadily, "You don't live there anyway, and you're not going to sell it. You might as well give it to me as a birthday gift."

"What do you want that apartment for?" Silas asked.

"I don't know. Maybe just for a sense of security.

"After all, when we got married, my mother took every penny of the wedding gift your family provided. I didn't see a cent of it.

"I haven't worked in three years, and you only give me that tiny monthly allowance.

"So, deep down, I always feel a bit unsettled."

Silas's heart softened slightly. "As long as I'm here, what is there to feel unsettled about?"

Jasmine sneered inwardly but sighed outwardly. "Now that you have your own son, I'm afraid you won't want me anymore."

Silas was momentarily stunned. He reached out and took Jasmine's hand.

"That won't happen."

Jasmine glanced at his elegant, well-defined hand.

"If you won't give me the pendant, are you really going to refuse me an apartment too?"

Silas hesitated for a few seconds. "Fine. I'll give it to you."

"Then you need to sign a gift agreement with me."

"You don't trust me?"

"It's not about trust. A gift is only official once there's an agreement. Otherwise, it's just community property, and that doesn't feel like a real gift."

Silas was surprisingly straightforward this time. "Alright. In a few days, we'll go notarize the contract and handle the title transfer."

Jasmine felt a slight sense of relief and offered a bright smile. "Okay."

Silas looked at her smile—as warm and refreshing as a summer sun—and couldn't help but smile back.

"You seem to be in a good mood today."

Jasmine smiled but said nothing.

Her mood was indeed good.

Three years!

It was finally coming to an end!

For the sake of her love for Silas, Jasmine had given up her career, willing to be the woman behind him, wanting to see the beauty of the world by his side.

She felt for him having to entertain clients and always stood in front of him without hesitation, even if she drank until she was violently sick.

For him, she could do things she hated.

But it hadn't earned her a shred of pity from Silas.

Instead, he had let her endure three years of emotional winter.

Silas treated her like a piece of trash.

And Jasmine Vance was not going to play the fool any longer.

That afternoon, Jasmine returned to The Grand Manor.

The moment she stepped inside, she heard Eleanor and Arthur arguing.

"Then you tell me what to do!" Eleanor snapped. "She's a Thorne. If she doesn't help now, who will? Are you going to rely on those fair-weather friends of yours?

"Every one of them is a parasite. When the Thornes were on top, they couldn't wait to kiss our feet. Now that we're in trouble, they avoid us like the plague!"

Arthur coughed a few times. "Alright, stop it. Just give me some peace and quiet."

Eleanor ignored his pale complexion.

"The house is on fire and you want peace and quiet? Arthur Thorne, let me tell you, the only reason this family got this far was because of—"

"Dad!"

Jasmine called out pointedly, interrupting the argument.

Arthur's expression softened. "Jasmine? Why are you back so suddenly?"

It seemed Eleanor hadn't told him she'd summoned Jasmine.

"I just felt like coming by."

"Come here, let me look at you," Arthur said. "Have you lost weight?"

Jasmine walked over and did a little spin. "No, I've actually gained some."

"Nonsense. You've definitely lost weight."

Jasmine changed the subject. "Dad, what were you and Mom just talking about?"

Arthur shot Eleanor a warning look.

"Nothing."

Eleanor was blunt. "Your father is too embarrassed to say it, so I'll be the bad guy!"

"Eleanor!" Arthur barked.

"You know the company is drowning in debt," Eleanor continued, ignoring him. "Even after selling several hotels and office buildings, there's still a massive shortfall.

"So, go ask your husband if he can lend us some money to help us through this crisis."

Jasmine looked at Arthur, whose hair had turned mostly white, with a pang of sympathy.

"In the beginning, you shouldn't have pushed Dad into those investment gambles."

Going all-in can destroy a life.

And she had done it twice.

The Thorne family had been built on Eleanor's wedding gifts.

And now, Eleanor's influence had led them to their lowest point.

It was a classic case of the same hand that builds, destroys.

Eleanor was annoyed by the reminder. "Is there any point in bringing that up now? The problem is how to solve the cash flow issue!"

"Don't put the child in a difficult position," Arthur said. "If I have to, I'll sell the resort and this manor. That should cover it."

"No!" Eleanor shouted. "You built that resort from the ground up! It's the place you put the most heart into. You said that was going to be our retirement home.

"As for this house, if you sell it, where will we live? In some miserable apartment under two thousand square feet?"

Jasmine ran the numbers in her head. "Exactly how much money are you talking about?"

Eleanor cleared her throat. "It's not much! Just 600 million dollars."

600 million...

Eleanor said it like she was asking for 600 cents.

"Give me some time," Jasmine said.

Eleanor hadn't expected her to agree so readily. "Are you saying you'll talk to Silas, or are you guaranteeing he'll lend us the money?"

Jasmine had a thought. "However, I have one condition."

"Name it," Eleanor said.

"If I can get this money, I need a loan agreement. I will decide the repayment terms, but the funds must be deposited into my personal account."

Eleanor didn't understand the motive. "What if you're too aggressive with the collections? We won't be able to pay it all back at once."

"I won't be," Jasmine said. "I'll make sure the terms are something you can manage over time."

"There's a catch like that? And you can definitely get the money?"

"Whether I can or not is my business. I'll handle it."

Leaving the manor, Jasmine called Sierra.

"I want to liquidate all the stocks I'm holding. Also, remember that big shot who's been trying to buy the indie pixel-art game I developed?"

Jasmine had always refused to sell before.

"Tell him I've changed my mind. I'm selling."