บททั้งหมดของ All Your Empty Promises: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

“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 wer

Yasmine quietly made dinner. Her cooking was always delicious. The smell wafted into Noah’s room, and he came running out. When he saw her carrying a steaming bowl of seafood porridge, a wicked smile spread across his face.He stuck out his leg, and Yasmine stumbled. The porridge spilled all over her, and the scalding heat made her cry out in pain. But the very next moment, Noah’s loud sobs drowned her out.“Auntie Yasmine, I know you don’t like me, but how could you burn me like this?“Mom, it hurts!”Yara and Leo rushed out at once. Yara took Noah into her arms, and her eyes welled up with tears.“Yasmine, if you’re upset about quitting your job, take it out on me. Don’t pick on Noah!”Yasmine was about to explain, but Leo pushed her away. She staggered back and slammed into the cabinet. The pain in her waist nearly doubled her over.Leo looked at her with disgust, as if he could not see her pain at all. “Yasmine, Noah is just a child! He’s my brother’s only son! How c

When Yasmine opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital.The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose. Before she could open her eyes fully, she heard Yara’s low voice.“Leo, even though Noah cried a few times when he found out about the pregnancy, this child is your own flesh and blood. You don’t always have to think only of us.”Yara knew exactly how to play her cards.Leo’s answer was firm. “No. This child can’t stay. “I’ll tell Yasmine the baby has problems and convince her to get rid of it. Noah is insecure. I can’t let him feel hurt.”He comforted Yara a little more, then turned around, only to lock eyes with Yasmine.For a moment, panic flickered across his face.“Yasmine, y-you’re awake? When did you wake up? Why didn’t you say anything?”Her voice was hoarse when she spoke. “Just now.”“Then… did you hear what the doctor said?”The way he tested her made Yasmine’s lips curl in mockery. “I didn’t hear anything. Weren’t you the only one in here just now?”R

Yasmine felt like she had been thrown into ice-cold water. She froze. Times had changed. Things were more open now than before, but if one was accused of colluding with foreign forces, interrogation was unavoidable. Leo knew what happened to the people under questioning. He had told her all about their misery. Yet for Yara and Noah’s sake, he was handing her over himself.Guards pushed her forward. Before she was taken away, Leo leaned in close. “You think faking a letter to study abroad just to play your little game with me would make me send Yara and Noah away? Take this as a lesson. Stop your scheming.”If he had only looked at her face, he would have seen the last flicker of hope for him die in her eyes. But he did not look at her. He had abandoned her many times before. Why would this time be any different?Yasmine did not fight back. She could not take it anymore.They locked her in a pitch-black interrogation room. The cold air raised goosebumps across her skin.

At the train station, Leo had just settled down when a strange uneasiness came over him. Yara noticed something was wrong and handed him a cup of warm water. “Leo, what’s the matter? Is it too crowded? Do you feel unwell?” He took the cup and took a sip. “Maybe...” He tried to push that uneasy feeling away and shook his head.A lady sitting nearby smiled at them. “Oh my, you two are such a loving couple! Your child is already this big, yet you still get along! Even when you go out, you use the same kind of cups.” Yara’s cheeks turned red. Noah, however, looked proud. He held Yara’s hand with one hand and Leo’s hand with the other. “Of course! My mom and dad love each other very much!”Leo stayed quiet. His mind drifted as his eyes lingered on the matching cup in Yara’s hand.He was very particular about cups. Most of them made the water taste strange. But this one was different. Yasmine had spent a lot of money to have someone bring the set back from Shayton. There w