At the Flynn residence, Xavier found Selena with a constant smile on her face as soon as he got home. "Mom, what''s going


    on?"


    "Yvette''s pregnancy test results are out. I specially asked Uncle Yang for help with it. He''s watched you grow up since you were little. Thank goodness, having a pregnancy test is a must; otherwise, I couldn''t even get in. The police were eyeballing Yvette like she was a thief, and I couldn''t even bring her some chicken


    soup," Selena started toin.


    Xavier quickly reminded Selena, "Mom, what about after the pregnancy test results came out?"


    "Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing-it''s a boy! Our Flynn family is finally going to have an heir. I won''t have to worry about you constantly," she said, though her worry only deepened. "Now the ce Yvette is staying at is like a fortress. I can''t even get in to take care of her!"


    Xavier didn''t want to hear Selena''s grumbling any longer; he went straight to his room. Yvette used to sleep here with him, and now that she wasn''t home, the room felt empty to him.


    This feeling got stronger after he met Yasmine at the wine tasting. He couldn''t forget how she looked that night. The soft waltz was ying, and Yasmine stood straight, her dress perfectly showing off her figure as it swayed gently.


    Xavier had seen Yasmine like this before, at every banquet they''d attended during their three-year marriage. They''ve been to so many, yet he never once asked Yasmine to dance unless people were making a fuss about it, at which point he just wanted to hide.


    The more these memories surfaced in Xavier''s mind, the more his heart ached. Why hadn''t he properly asked Yasmine for a dance-a waltz like this one? It was probably because the one who invited Yasmine to dance that day was Bernard, an old gentleman in his sixties. So, among all his emotions, there wasn''t a hint of jealousy. The only picture left in his mind was Yasmine''s graceful dance moves.


    Her waltz wasn''t stiff or traditional; instead, it carried a yful charm that made it unforgettable for Xavier. Whenever he reminisced about the past, the entire room seemed to linger with the scent that once belonged to Yasmine.


    "Xavier, you''re just getting off work? I made some soup.


    Would you


    like a bowl?"


    ask me for a dance at the party today? I''m worried Morgan will notice us."


    "Xavier, why can''t you just reply to me? Please pay attention to me."


    "Xavier, can''t you not rush into the study the moment you get home? I really want to have a chat with you."


    ""Xavier, could you


    "Xavier, Xavier..."


    Once, a gentle voice called his name, whispering all sorts of sweet words, but unfortunately, now he couldn''t hear any them. He touched the pillow beside him, time shifting.


    of


    At night, Xaviery in bed, Yasmine right by his side. It was only after they both fell asleep that he felt someone gently touching his nose. When he opened his eyes, he caught Yasmine withdrawing her hand. He red at her angrily and grumbled, "Can''t you just sleep without disturbing me? I have work in the morning, and you get toze around at home all day."


    Back then, Xavier clearly saw the disappointment in Yasmine''s eyes, yet he chose not to say a word. In hindsight, whether she worked or not made no difference. Every morning, she got up early to take care of the whole family, even working harder than those with jobs. Sadly, he realized this truth far toote.


    If Xavier had answered at that moment with, "What''s wrong? Can''t sleep? I can keep youpany," maybe things would have turned out differently. But the world is full of ''what ifs,'' just as much as itcks them.


    14.28 Tue, Nov 5


    Chapter 272 00056%0


    He had to admit, wheir Yasmine was the model housewife, he never noticed her shine. It was only after she shed that role that he gradually saw how exceptional and charming she was. He stared nkly at the wedding photo on the nightstand, his mind filled with images of Yasmine meticulously wiping the crystal album one picture at a time. Xavier''s fingers trembled slightly; maybe he really was sick, perhaps more than he thought.


    Inside the Credence Ocean za, Yasmine and Lucy were shopping. Ever since they left the wine-tasting eventst time, Lucy believed it was her beef jerky that made Mr. Su hand the business directly to the Sanchez family. She used this as an excuse to make Lucy buy her a dress.


    "See how generous I am? It''s a deal worth billions!" Lucy chuckled while her eyes sparkled at the sight of the dazzling array of clothes. "We wouldn''t have clinched this deal anytime soon if it wasn''t for me!"


    "Yeah, yeah, absolutely." Yasmine beamed at Lucy, knowing full well that Lucy didn''t really need her to pay for her clothes. Yasmine rarely went shopping; most of her time was spent looking for evidence and focusing on work. She barely had time to shop, and even when she went with Lucy, it was get-the-stuff-and-go.


    As they passed by a photo studio, Lucy got excited, "Yasmine, this is the trendiest studio in town-it''s hugely popr. Should we go take some artsy photos?"


    Yasmine nodded. This was a newly opened studio in Soucrity, different from the regr ones. The photos hanging on the exterior walls werendscapes or portraits randomly captured by the photographers.


    While waiting for Lucy to choose a style, Yasmine nced at the photo wall. Most of them werendscape photos, but there were about a dozen with people. As she skimmed through them, she suddenly froze. In the uniquely decorated coffee shop, two people sat in the corner near the screen. A couple, with the woman smiling at the man, and the man gently pushed a sugar jar towards her.


    She had been to this coffee shop before, previously with Yonas. The same spot, but now a different person sat across from him. Irene did look stunning, just like the journalists had said. Yonas and Irene together truly made a perfect couple.


    Those cold yet handsome eyes were now filled with warmth, a look that once was solely for her. But now, it was for someone else or perhaps it had always been meant for Irene, and Yasmine was just a stand-in while Irene was abroad. That painting by Yoselin was proof enough.


    "Yasmine, what are you looking at?" Lucy asked curiously as she walked over, standing by Yasmine''s side and following her gaze. She was equally shocked. "Stop looking," Lucy said coldly. She dragged Yasmine into the studio, showing her the clothes she had picked out. "Yasmine, take a look."


    Yasmine casually flipped through a few pages before handing the tablet back to her. "They all look great, let''s go with this."


    Lucy nodded, understanding that Yasmine probably wasn''t very interested in staying here right now.


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