Xo Novel
Chapter 289
Jason claimed he fell ill on a business trip, saying that he came to see her straight after getting off the plane and even stopped by the grocery store to pick up some provisions. Estrella took a closer look at him. Indeed, his complexion was off, and his eyes lacked their usual sparkle.
For a moment, Estrella felt a twinge of pity and asked him, “So, what’s up with you? Why have you been getting shots for six days straight?”
Jason stared at her with a detached air and said, “I’m not going to die from it, so let’s not change the subject. Clarify your own situation first.”
He had the demeanor of someone who had caught his partner red-handed. Estrella scratched her head, frowning, and replied, “What’s there for me to clarify? Isn’t this whole mess stirred up by your granddad and your uncle? If they hadn’t cut off Bryce’s income and drained every drop of gas from his car, would he be so desperate as to come to me?” As she spoke, Estrella eyed Jason suspiciously and asked, “Jason, you didn’t have a hand in this, did you?”
At Estrella’s questioning, Jason felt a twinge of guilt, shoved his hands into his pockets, and avoided her gaze as he said, “I was away on business. I knew nothing about it.”
He didn’t have the heart to tell Estrella that he was indeed involved and deeply so. The sabotage of Bryce’s company was his doing, otherwise, Keith and the others wouldn’t
have been so efficient.
Nor did Jason reveal that he helped Keith for two reasons: one, as long as Bryce remained unmarried, he would constantly hover around Estrella, which Jason didn’t like. And two, if Keith and the others
were preoccupied, they wouldn’t meddle in his and Estrella’s affairs, meaning no one would pressure him into speed dating.
All in all, Jason had his own little schemes in mind.
However, it hadn’t occurred to him that his plans would backfire. After Bryce was dealt with, instead of surrendering to his family, he sought refuge with Estrella.
Jason couldn’t bear to look at her, and Estrella grew even more suspicious, pressing on, “Jason, this seems like something you would do. And why can’t you look at me?”
Jason cleared his throat. “My eyes are sore.”
Remembering how pitiful Jason had looked earlier-claiming he was sick and had been getting injections-Estrella didn’t press about Bryce. Instead, she asked, “What about you? What’s going on with these injections?”
Jason turned away, his gaze falling softly on her as he asked, “Have you really never considered getting together with Bryce, never thought about settling for second best?”
09:25
Estrella laughed helplessly and said. “What do you mean ‘settling for second best’? As a divorced woman with a son, I am the ‘second best’ myself.”
Estrella didn’t quite respond to his question, and Jason just kept looking at her silently.
Estrella tried to pacify him, “I’ve never thought about it, not once. Besides, Bryce is no different from Jesse in my eyes,” she muttered disdainfully, “What is on your mind all day long?”
If it hadn’t been for Jason’s sudden appearance, his long-winded explanations for his anger, and his efforts to cook for her and Isaac, she wouldn’t have bothered with his misunderstandings.
Although Estrella was slightly annoyed, Jason felt a sense of relief. It felt like old times, with Estrella still considering his feelings and willing to cajole him.
After Estrella explained, the two fell silent again. Then Jason confessed, “I got sick from missing you, and I ended up on a drip for a few days.”
Estrella couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. “Your stories are getting more elaborate.”
Estrella’s laughter prompted Jason to reach out and gently pinch her cheek. “Heartless and ungrateful,” he teased.
Just as Jason was about to lean in for a kiss, there was a noise at the door. Both turned to look, and Estrella suggested, “Go check the door.”
Jason, expressionless, heeded her request and opened the door. Immediately, they saw Bryce and Isaac eavesdropping, with Isaac still barefoot.
As Jason opened the door, both Bryce and Isaac tumbled against his legs. Jason looked down with distaste at Bryce and Isaac. Bryce was again involving his son in foolishness.
Isaac, clutching Jason’s leg and looking up into his eyes, blurted out, “Daddy!”
Jason’s mood lifted completely, and ignoring Bryce, he scooped up Isaac, “Let’s go, son. I’ll make you some food.”
Isaac, beaming in his arms, said gratefully, “Thank you, Daddy.”
At the doorway, Bryce remarked under Estrella’s gaze of disdain, “Jason hasn’t been doing too badly lately.”
Bryce’s comment was barely finished when Jason’s voice followed, “Bryce, come here.” With that, he instructed Bryce to help out in the kitchen.
Isaac was settled with a glass of milk and seated on a chair by the kitchen door to watch him cook, then Jason busied himself with the meal.
Isaac was a model of good behavior, sitting still for two hours as Jason had instructed. He clapped enthusiastically with each dish Jason completed, proclaiming, “Daddy’s so
09:25
*********ed bbc show of support and said, ‘Jason,
MIN This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
ofn
Cakanth. Are you sure this son of mine was found’
* 2**** skew
med sloping his lips. He knew well enough that Jason was Nav not be taken lightly Any slip up, and Estrella MXR Nee of them to sort out their relationship
XXXX4And called Estrella to eat His tone still carried traces of
NNNNNN cot up from the bed. As she sat down at the dining
SANAWAR RAWAN as eve but even worse towards Bivce. Jason
****************potting his disdain palpable in every glance. At
wy w in Jeserved
Was reserved for Isaac
Sebest to breathe too loudly silently eating their meal while
WARNING JAWA for AWAO
42, 0xo her slumber, he headed to the master
Exle Axaning casually against the doorframe,
When Jason down the bathroom doo Estrella couldn’t help but tease him with a $30ax Whee Asad se something new? Don’t be shy on my account.”
Jason simply gnored the A short while later, he emerged freshly showered, to find
Ning with me crossed over her chest leaning forward slightly. She (oked at him with grave short and asked Still mad?