All Your Empty Promises

“How is that possible? I’m Leo’s wife! Why can’t I apply for his death certificate?”

At the registry office, the white-haired Yasmine Silva held Leo Quinton’s urn and questioned the staff in confusion.

“Ma’am, only immediate family members can apply for a death certificate. According to our records, you’re still unmarried.”

With trembling hands, Yasmine put on her reading glasses and stared at the staff’s computer screen.

The staff had not lied. She had been with Leo for fifty years, yet the records still showed that she was unmarried.

Before she could recover from the shock, the staff added, “We found that Mr. Leo Quinton was married fifty years ago. His wife was Yara Summers, and they had a son named Noah Quinton.

“Although Ms. Yara has passed away, you can contact Mr. Noah to handle the death certificate.”

The moment Yasmine heard the names Yara and Noah, her head buzzed.

Was Yara not Leo’s sister-in-law, and Noah his nephew? How could they be his wife and son?

If that were true, then what was she?

She had cared for Leo for decades and had also taken care of Yara when she was ill. What did that make her?

A servant?

Yasmine left the registry office in a daze.

On the way out, she received a call from Noah.

“Auntie Yasmine, Uncle Leo left everything to me. You don’t mind, do you?

“After all, I am the sole heir of the Quinton family, but he did leave something for you. He left you a place in the Quinton family’s ancestral tomb. One day, you can be buried there with him.

“That is his way of thanking you for taking care of him and my mother all these years.”

Yasmine let out a bitter laugh.

Fifty years of devotion, and all she received was the right to be buried beside Leo.

Right till the end, Leo had thought only of his “son.” Did he never stop to consider that she had no job, no pension, and no way to support herself in the years ahead?

Whatever lingering affection Yasmine had for Leo vanished.

All that remained was hatred for being deceived for fifty years!

She looked at the urn she had caressed countless times and wished she could smash it on the ground.

But fate showed no mercy. It did not even give her the chance to vent her anger. A runaway truck came barreling toward her.

There was a loud crash, and blood filled Yasmine’s vision.

People gathered around and whispered.

“Oh, I know this old woman. Her husband just died, and she has no children. I suppose this is her fate.”

“Yes, she has no family left. Maybe it would’ve been better if she had gone with her husband. Perhaps they will be together again in the next life!”

No! No!

As a soul, Yasmine shook her head in desperate refusal.

If there were another life, she would never allow herself to be tied to Leo again.

…

“Yasmine, have you thought it through?

“Do you really want to give up the job you worked so hard for and give up your future just to take care of your husband?

“You are the backbone of our station, and you should know the provincial station offers its employees an opportunity to study abroad. The program starts in seven days.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I was planning to put your name forward. Please think about this carefully.”

Yasmine stared at Emma Larson, the director of the TV station, who looked heartbroken. It took her a long time to process everything.

Leo’s accident and her resignation had happened in 1977.

Could it be that she had returned to the past?