Chapter 28
Erica Lovett, the nurse, carefully rolled up Yasmine’s sleeve to start her IV. When she saw how thin the girl’s wrist was, she shot a disapproving look at Devin “How did you take care of her as her parents?” she asked, her tone dripping with disbelief.
Yasmine’s upbringing was a stark contrast to their son’s. He was raised to be strong and sturdy, while Yasmine was brought up to be slender, her hands bearing the marks of scars.
Devin managed a smile. “She used to live with her grandmother. But her grandmother wasn’t really looking after her properly.”
Erica stayed focused on her work, her silence saying more than words could. She was seething inside.
This family clearly prize their son over their daughter. They might even be abusive. Here’s this little girl, burning with fever and as pale as a sheet, and they’ve only brought her in now, she thought.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Erica carefully secured the IV strap on Yasmine’s delicate wrist, cleaned the area, and administered
the injection.
As the needle broke her skin. Yasmine’s body trembled, and she made a faint groan. Erica sighed, her worry plain, before stepping back.
As Erica left. Devin muttered under his breath, “Mind your own business, bitch.”
After stepping out of the room, Enca chatted with a colleague about Yasmine.
Her colleague let out a sigh. “Let it go, she advised. “This hospital is full of cases where we can’t afford to get emotionally involved. We don’t need the extra stress of a complaint on top of everything else.
Erica nodded in agreement, then turned and walked a few steps before nearly colliding with Evan, who seemed to be lurking around
“Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
“1. uh, I’m the uncle of the little girl inside, Evan lied, trying to sound convincing
“Why
y aren’t you with her then?” Erica pressed.
Lokay, I’ll be honest. I think that guy in there might be up
something.” Evan confessed.
Erica pursed her lips. I’m not so sure he’s a good dad either,” she confided.
Evan’s eyes widened as he said urgently, “A dad? He claimed to be her father? That’s not what he told me. There’s definitely something fishy going on here!” He leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper, “I suspect he might be a kidnapper.”
Erica’s face drained of color, and her sense of justice ignited within her.
Yasmine had been tossing and turning in her sleep for what felt like hours. In her dreams, she saw her mom and remembered her dad speaking softly to her before he left. But then, in a terrifying twist, her dad turned into a demon with a gaping, bloody mouth.
She jolted awake and was about to sit up when Devin firmly pushed her back onto the bed.
“What happened to me?” Yasmine croaked, her voice raw and scratchy.
Karen quickly responded, “I’ll get you some water.”
Devin, relieved that Yasmine was alive, turned to his son. “Stay here and watch your sister. I have to get back to the office, he instructed. before leaving
The moment Devin was out the door, Erica entered. “Ill put a fever patch on her,” she said, and the boy moved aside.
As Erica leaned over to apply the patch, she whispered to
ed to Yasmine, “Sweetheart, was that man really your
The boy’s voice cut through the air. “What are you saying to my sister?”
A chill ran down Erica’s spine, but she maintained her calm demeanor. Tm just making sure she’s not in pain anywhere else,” she said
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Chapter 28
evenly. “It’s hard to trust your parents”
Her words eased the boy’s doubts, and he went quiet.
Yasmine’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Erica, disbelief etched on her face. ‘How could she have known?‘ she couldn’t help wondering
Yasmine gently clasped Erica’s hand, her voice wavering with frailty. “Miss, I need to use the restroom. Could you help me get there?”
Erica nodded in understanding, saying, “Of course, let’s go
The boy hesitated, wanting to step in, but he knew he couldn’t follow them into the girls’ restroom. Reluctantly, he watched as Erica led Yasmine away.
As soon as they were out of the boy’s hearing range, Yasmine blurted out, “He’s not my dad
Erica felt a shiver go down her spine, her mind racing. He really wasn’t? This was the first time something like this had happened to her. and it felt like a movie plot unfolding right before her eyes.
“I’m calling the police right now,” Erica said.
Yasmine shook her head sadly. “I don’t think that will help. He’s a distant uncle, and I think my grandpa might have taken money from him
Erica murmured. “Then they’ll probably just call it a family matter, and you’ll end up back with your grandpa. Then he could sell you again. A
Already, Erica was seething with anger just thinking about it.
“What should we do? Oh my God, what should we do? Erica said, her voice rising in panic before she paused. “Wait, there’s a man named Evan looking for you. He told me you might have been kidnapped. Do you know him?”
Yasmine shook her head in confusion “Who’s Evan?”
Erica guided the trembling Yasmine along another corridor. Up ahead, she saw Evan, his face etched with worry, waiting for them.
Yasmine’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. “It’s you.”
Evan’s face broke into a relieved smile. “You remember me? That guy’s not good, right? Would you like me to get in touch with Mr. Kendrick for you?”
Erica looked puzzled. “Who’s Mr. Kendrick?‘ she wondered. She wasn’t familiar with any high–profile names.
Yasmine said, “He is a bad guy.” But then her brow furrowed with concernas she added, “But I don’t know Alaric’s number. Her worried frown made her look even more fragile.
Evan paused, surprised. ‘She doesn’t know his number? That’s not surprising he mused. A lot of kids don’t memorize the phone nurabers of adults they know!
Yasmine whispered, “But he’s filming at Lexcrity. You could find him there. Then, catching herself, she quickly added, “No, not him. Go to Winter County Hospital and find Xavier Sanchez. He’s staying there. Her voice held a newfound determination as Yasmine made up her mind
She didn’t really know Alaric well, but she supposed Xavier could come to rescue her. Yasmine took a soft breath, trying to calm her racing beam.
“Xavier Sanchez?” Evan repeated, a hint of confusion on his face. That name sounds somewhat familiar. How do you spell it? Can you write it down?”
face fell ashe e whispered, “Sorry, I don’t know how to spell it.”
No worries, Jandle it,” Exan assured her, determined to sort things out. He quickly hailed a taxi to head to Winter County Hospital. Currently at Little Haven Hospital, which was far away, he knew he had to act fast.
As Evan walked away, he inadvertently crossed paths with Karen, who didn’t recognize him and didn’t give him a second glance.
“What are you doing out here?” Karen asked, her expression one of mild curiosity when she spotted Yasmine.
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Chapter 28
going to the bathroom Yasmine mumbled, trying to sound casual
Just going to
Karen handed Yasmine a bottle of water, but Erica stepped in. “She needs more than just water now she needs some food too
Karen was on the verge of arguing, but she held back. If Yasmine’s condition worsened, it would lead to additional costs. “THI go and make some food for you. You stay here with your brother, she said instead
Yasmine nodded obediently, which seemed to satisfy Karen, who then left, feeling reassured.
home
Meanwhile, Andrew was feeling uneasy when Cliff happened to drive back.
“Cliff, there’s something I need to discuss with you” Andrew approached him.
s expression was even more sour than Andrew’s as he began swearing. “Who the heck reported me for taking bribes? I’m hardly even an official! How much could 1 possibly take, anyway? Besides, who doesn’t?”
Andrew’s face paled as he heard the news. “How could this have happened? Did your leader buy into it?” he asked.
Cliff’s face twitched with frustration. “I’ve been asked to step down and await an investigation. With my limited authority, do I really warrant a special investigation?”
Andrew mumbled, “No, Cliff, something’s not right about this”
“What?” Cliff asked, confused.
“Is someone deliberately targeting you?” Andrew pondered out loud.
“Someone’s definitely messing with me, but I don’t know who I talked to some colleagues I’m close with, but no one admitted it,” Cliff said, calming himself down. Tll give Jessica a call. She’s really smart and has probably gotten close to Johnny by now.”
Andrew was still worried. This won’t affect my job as the village head, will it?”
Cliff chuckled wryly, “Doubtful. How could they find concrete evidence against me that quickly?”
Andrew nodded and then spoke up hesitantly “Cliff, there’s something else. He explained how Yasmine had been taken away and how Alaric had called the police.
Cliff’s phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor with a thud. “Why didn’t you run something this crucial by us before?” he asked.
“I–I thought this would be easy to handle. Barnaby’s all about the money, and it’s their family’s problem. I didn’t think it would affect us. Andrew stammered, his voice trailing off.
Cliff shook his head, his expression grim. “You’re being too naive. Devin won’t take the blame alone. He has some connections in the city and more money than us. Most importantly, the village’s big secret mustn’t attract police attention.”
Hearing Cliff’s analysis, Andrew started to panic. “Th–then what should we do
Cliff understood that blaming Andrew wouldn’t change the situation. He said, “Yasmine has to die by Devin’s hands. That way, no matter what Devin says, he won’t be able to clear his name.”
Andrew was stunned. “M–murder?”
Clid snorted, holding Andrew’s shoulder. “It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve killed”
—–
Meanwhile, Freya was a picture of distress, her face streaked with tears and her appearance disheveled. Next to her, her son and daughter–in–law were also werping, begging her. “Main, please, just tell the truth. Do you want to drag us all into this?” her son pleaded
In a sudden outburst of frustration, Freya slapped her hands on the table so hard that her p
her palms turned red. She shouted, “Fine. Fine. I’ll tell! Devin, Yasmine’s distant unde, took her away. It’s really not my fault. Yasmine’s grandfather made the call”
Alaric who had been listening closely, spun around quickly. “Find Devin right away” he ordered.
