Xo Novel
Chapter 260
By the time Jason slid her blouse aside, Estrella finally managed to push him away, straightening her clothes as she said, “Are we officially together now? Do not push your luck.”
Jason pulled her into an embrace. “Hug.”
His impromptu act of affection rendered Estrella powerless to push him away this time. At last, after he felt satisfied, he released her and drove her home.
When Estrella got back, Isaac was already napping.
Seeing Estrella, Autumn immediately called her over. “Estrella, how did the blind date go? That doctor seemed like a catch, didn’t he?”
Estrella stifled a yawn. “Not a good fit.”
Autumn’s face, previously alight with smile, clouded over with disappointment upon hearing Estrella’s verdict. “What do you mean, ‘hot a good fit’?”
Before Estrella could reply, Autumn pressed on, “I thought he was quite suitable. A man of education and decent job, looks honest and reliable – not the type to flirt around. That’s the kind of man you settle down with.”
Estrella responded, “Just didn’t feel the spark.”
What Estrella didn’t dare tell Autumn was that Jason had whisked her away before she even finished her meal, knowing full well that Autumn would be livid if she found out.
With Estrella’s nonchalant answer, Autumn’s expression grew even more sour. “So, it’s his looks you’re objecting to? The guy isn’t bad-looking. Don’t be too picky, you know. And let’s face it, there aren’t many out there who can hold a candle to Jason’s looks. If you keep being this selective, you might never tie the knot.”
Estrella quipped, “Guess I’ll just stop judging by looks. But mom, I’m so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open. I’m going upstairs to rest.”
She had been married before, after all. What was the rush?
Autumn grumbled, “It’s the weekend, and all you do is sleep. You’ve already gone out to eat with the man. Why not catch a movie, and give romance a chance? These things take time, you know. If you gave it a chance, spent some time together, you might just discover something endearing about him.”
Estrella climbed the stairs silently, but Autumn raised her voice, “Estrella, I’m talking to you!”
Estrella turned around, “Mom, the Glimmering Lake case is about to go to trial. Please don’t complicate things for me right now.”
09:42
“Work, work, work. Is there nothing more to your life than work?” Autumn retorted.
Estrella, seizing the moment to change the subject, threw a curveball. “Mom, what if I told you Isaac might be Ja’son’s son? What then?”
“What?” Autumn was instantly on alert, her eyes widening. “Jason’s child? But I asked you before, and you said no.”
“Estrella, who is Isaac’s father, really?” Autumn insisted, then added, “If it turns out to be Jason, I won’t support you two getting back together. He hurt you too much back then.”
Autumn paused for a moment and then said, “But the timing doesn’t match up.”
Estrella responded, “Mom, I’m just saying ‘if.”
“What do you mean ‘if’? Who is Isaac’s father, exactly?”
“A miracle of science and technology.”
With that, Estrella turned and retreated to her room.
Her mother had too much time on her hands. When idle, she’d find ways to meddle, matchmaking for Estrella or seeking a father for Isaac. So Estrella had deliberately made the comment to distract her. Now, Autumn was hooked, her matchmaking plans cast aside as her mind became preoccupied with Isaac’s parentage. If Isaac truly was Jason’s child, Autumn would have to prepare to protect the boy from the Nelsons.
But what was Estrella thinking? One moment Estrella suggested Isaac might be Jason’s, the next she claimed Isaac was the product of science. Who was Isaac’s father, really?
And Cole was no help either. Despite Autumn’s repeated inquiries about Isaac’s father, he always dodged the question, insisting that no matter who the father was, Isaac was Estrella’s child, their beloved grandchild.
“What’s going on in their heads?” Autumn fumed quietly.
Father and daughter had kept the secret from Autumn because of her frequent interactions with Kristin, not wanting to risk any slip-ups. More importantly, they didn’t want to burden Autumn with the painful details of the past, given her delicate health.
Back in her bedroom, watching Isaac snuggle with his toy dinosaur, Estrella planted a kiss on him, her heart brimming with contentment.
Gently stroking his hair, she whispered, “Buddy today I gave your dad a chance to take care of you,”
Even if things between Jason and her were complicated, she still wanted Isaac to feel father’s love and grow up healthy and happy.
With Estrella’s hand resting on his head, Isaac’s sleep became even more peaceful.
After reaching an agreement with Estrella, Jason’s visits to the Dorvold household
09:42
became more frequent. He was there for Isaac’s studies, meals, and playtime – whenever Jason had a moment, he’d come to pick Isaac up.
Yet he still hadn’t been granted access inside the Dorvold home. Estrella didn’t extend an invite, neither did Autumn, and Cole was still in the dark about him.
Sometimes when Estrella was swamped with work, Jason would take Isaac back to the Nelson residence. Kristin was overjoyed, treating Isaac like her own grandchild, spoiling him rotten. Amber did the same.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Keith, although feeling uneasy, still spent some time chatting with Isaac when he arrived. Keith even taught Isaac how to play chess. Stubborn as he was, he wouldn’t let his grievances with the adults spill over onto the child.
One evening, as Estrella was leaving the law office, the aged butler from the Dorvold estate stopped her. “Ms. Estrella.”
“Hey, how’s it going?” Estrella exclaimed in surprise when she spotted the elderly butler at the entrance of the law firm.
“Ms. Estrella, Mr. Keith has come to see you,” the butler whispered.
Following the butler’s gaze, Estrella noticed a sleek sedan parked nearby.
The butler courteously opened the rear door of the car for Estrella, who gracefully ducked and slid into the back seat.
“You’ve been back a while now, how come you haven’t stopped by for a visit?” Keith inquired, his gaze fixed on Estrella.
“I just didn’t feel right about it,” Estrella admitted with a hint of embarrassment.
At Estrella’s response, Keith furrowed his brow seeming at a loss for words.
Sensing Keith’s troubled thoughts, Estrella didn’t wait for him to break the silence. She flashed a disarming smile and said, “Grandpa, you’re here about Jason and me, aren’t you? You want me to leave Jason, right?”
Seeing Keith’s dilemma, Estrella immediately thought of the night when Jason blocked her at the Dorvold family’s door, pleading with her to trust him no matter what anyone else said.
So now, it was likely that Keith had come for that very reason. And given Keith’s character, she knew he would never accept Isaac or her now that she had a child. The Nelson family’s reputation was at stake, and Keith’s even more so.
Estrella laid it all bare, and with a heavy sigh, Keith finally said, “Indeed, I came to discuss you and Jason, but it’s not quite what you’re thinking.”