Chapter 271 piercing gaze caused a ripple of trepidation in Estrellaâs heart. She had spilled the beans, and she knew it. Still, she managed to maintain her composure and casually remarked, âHeâs probably just picking up your habits from spending time with you lately.â
Jason didnât press the issue after Estrellaâs explanation. Instead, his mood seemed to lift, and the smile on his face grew even brighter.
Estrella, on the other hand, wasnât having any of it. âWhatâs got you so chipper, Jason?â
With a playful pinch on her chin, Jason teased, âSince when do you get to police my mood?â Even as he spoke, a grin lingered on his face.
Estrella felt guilty under his smiling gaze and complained, âStop it, your grin gives me the creeps.â
Jasonâs smile remained as he gathered both Estrella and Isaac into a warm embrace, saying leisurely, âBlood relation or not, as long as Isaac takes after me, Iâm happy.â
Upon hearing this, Estrella pushed Isaac into his arms, âIf youâre so thrilled, why donât you. give him his bath tonight? Iâve got some things to wrap up.â
âSure thing,â Jason agreed without hesitation. He then scooped up Isaac and his pajamas and headed for the bathroom.
A short while later, as Estrella was busy at the computer, the sound of Jason and Isaac making a ruckus in the bathroom drifted over to her. Estrella glanced toward the bathroom with a smile. Isaac really did adore Jason, despite their relatively short acquaintance.
âMommy, I smell so good,â Isaac boasted to Estrella, fresh from the bath in Jasonâs arms.
Estrella looked at him with a beaming smile, âCome here, let Mommy have a sniff.â She inhaled deeply, praising his sweet scent, which left Isaac grinning from ear to ear.
Watching the joy of them, Jason felt an indescribable sense of fulfillment and warmth.
After Isaac and Estrella had their playful moment, Jason carried Isaac back to bed, played with toys with him, and read stories until Isaac fell asleep. Then Jason walked up behind Estrella, hugged her, rested his chin gently on her shoulder, and closed his eyes softly.
Jason wasnât one for many words, and they were even fewer when Estrella was busy.
Glancing at Jason, who had his eyes closed and was leaning on her shoulder, Estrella softly acknowledged, âThank you for taking care of him.â
Jason replied, âHeâs my son too, itâs what I should do.â
Estrella shot back with a playful tone, âDream on.â
After her comment, Jason fell silent, content just to hold her.
âHoney, Jason listened to the tapping of her keyboard for a while before he spoke up, seeing you work so hard and being so exceptional, Iâm starting to feel insecure.â
These last few days, with everyone talking about Estrella, Jason felt like the whole world was trying to steal his wife.
Estrella couldnât help but laugh, âSince when did you start lacking confidence, Jason?â
He nuzzled her cheek, âIâve never been very confident around you.â He then blurted out, âEstrella, letâs get married.â
Estrella, not taking her eyes off her work, replied nonchalantly, âNot happening. My heart rate didnât even spike.â
Jasonâs brow furrowed slightly, and he placed his hand over her heart, âLet me feel for myself.â
Estrella shot him a warning look. Instead of retracting his hand, he whispered in her ear, âA night together might just do the trick.â
Estrella paused, her hands frozen above the keyboard, and turned to him, âJason, canât you think of anything else?â
Compared to their life three years ago, the positions of the two had completely changed.
Jason pressed his face against hers, âWhat else is there to think about but you?â He prodded further, âDonât you want to, even a little?â
With Jasonâs mind clearly wandering, Estrella ignored him and returned to her work.
âJason, where is your hand going?â
âYouâre being a pervert.â
âJason...â Out of options, Estrella had to use her right hand to restrain his wrist.
Autumnâs voice suddenly came from outside, breaking their impasse, âEstrella, are you asleep?â She tapped on the door.
Jason then ceased his teasing, straightened Estrellaâs clothes, and opened the door.
Autumn feigned surprise at seeing Jason, âOh, youâre still here, Jason. I thought youâd gone home.â Deep down, she knew Jason hadnât left and had even knocked before. entering, wary of stumbling upon a scene she shouldnât witness..
Before Jason could reply, Autumn chimed in with a cheerful voice, âI just came to check if Isaac was asleep and to see if Estrella needed any help.â
âActually, he just fell asleep,â Jason informed her.
Autumn gazed at Isaac resting on the bed and said, âLook at this, I feel so unnecessary now. Youâre taking care of everything, leaving me with nothing to do.â
The conversation between her mother and Jason was preventing her from working, so Estrella stood up, âMom, you should get some rest. And Jason, you should head back. too.â
Jason ruffled Estrellaâs hair affectionately, âAlright, but donât stay up too late. And remember, Iâm picking you up tomorrow to meet with Dr. Hans.â
âGot it,â Estrella agreed.
After bidding Jason farewell, Autumn and Estrella watched his car disappear into the night. Autumn inquired, âWhat are you thinking now? He seems genuinely fond of Isaac, and Isaac adores him too. Maybe give it another shot?â
Jasonâs choice of photo earlier that day, where heâd pointed out how well he and Estrella matched, had sparked Autumnâs curiosity. During Estrellaâs time back, Jason had been nothing but devoted, making it hard for Autumn not to soften.
Estrella glanced at Autumn and suggested, âLetâs head back inside, Mom.â
they entered the house, Cole immediately called Estrella to his study. Without beating around the bush, he asked, âEstrella, whatâs going on with you and Jason?â
He hadnât inquired about their earlier commotion, but now that Jason was back attending family dinners, Cole felt he had to address it.
Sitting across from Cole, Estrella confessed, âHeâs been quite persistent lately.â
âAnd what do you think about it?â Cole inquired.
âDad, Iâve been really busy. I havenât given it much thought,â Estrella replied. âBut Isaac adores him, and I didnât want to interfere.â
Listening to Estrellaâs words, Coleâs brow furrowed, and he sank into a pensive silence.
The events from three years earlier came flooding back: Jasonâs demand that he step aside for Innovative Solutions Inc., Estrellaâs fall and subsequent hospitalization which nearly cost her child. These memories stirred up a wave of discomfort within him.