Jasmine tugged on Joel's sleeve, putting on a pitiful expression as she sweetly said, "Joel, when I went through all that trouble to find you, you were alone. I thought she had abandoned you."
Joel's expression softened a bit. He patted Jasmine's head and said, "It's okay, you couldn't have known. It's just a misunderstanding."
He turned to me again, "Jazz, I'm really sorry about your grandmother. I think this is just a misunderstanding. Jasmine didn't mean any harm."
I felt nothing but bitterness. My grandmother had given him everything, even worrying about him after he disappeared and now he stood before her grave, making excuses for the person who indirectly caused her death.
I looked at him coldly, my anger rising. "Don't call me Jazz, Joel. Haven't you had enough of playing the poor man's game? Please leave. I refuse to be anyone's substitute."
Joel instinctively reached out to hug me but pulled back, his face contorting with guilt. He fumbled in his pocket and took out a bank card. "I'm sorry I deceived you, but I did love you. Here’s seven hundred fifty thousand dollars as compensation."
"The password is your birthday."