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Chapter 216
Kristin and Keith didn’t expect Jason to come at this time. For a moment, Kristin felt awkward. When Kristin looked at Estrella, Kristin used her eyes to explain that she didn’t call Jason, and she didn’t know why he came.
Keith, sensing the tension, turned to Jason and said with a casual smile, “Jason,
timing couldn’t be better. It happens to be dinner time. Why don’t you take Estrella out for a bite? I owe her a formal meal and an apology once I’m out of this hospital bed.”
Jason acknowledged with a nonchalant ‘hm’ and agreed to the plan.
Fearing Estrella might decline the offer, Kristin quickly chimed in, “Estrella, it’s about that time for dinner anyway. Why not grab something to eat with Jason before heading back?” “Sure, why not.” Estrella wasn’t one to make a fuss. Agreeing with Kristin and Keith didn’t. mean she was bound to follow through, so after bidding them farewell, she left the hospital room with Jason.
The ward was quiet, with few patients around, and silence filled the corridors as they made their way to the elevator. Jason reached out and pressed the button. Soon, they were in the parking lot, where Estrella turned to Jason and said, “You go on with your business. I’ll head back now.”
Jason simply replied, “I’ll drive you home.”
She glanced at her watch, and Jason added, “Just to drop you off.”
He knew that Estrella had only agreed earlier to appease his mother and grandfather, ap since she now had a child who was probably eager for her return, Jason tactfully avoid bringing up the dinner invitation again.
Earlier that afternoon, Estrella had gone to the government offices with Logan, who had given her a lift to the hospital. When Jason offered to drive her home, Estrella didn’t put on airs. She opened the passenger door and got into the car without a fuss. After all, they had known each other for decades. It would be petty to argue over such a trivial matter.
They both understood, deep down, that their paths were diverging. It was only a matter of waiting for the right moment to have that final, definitive talk
The car started, and they drove in a comfortable silence, so profound that it felt like they were alone, yet acutely aware of each other’s presence.
Eventually, the car pulled up to the Dorvold family’s residence. From a distance, Estrella could
see the
nanny waiting outside with Isaad, her heart instantly lighting up at the sight of her child.
Seeing Isaac at the end of the day was her happiest, most relaxing moment.
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Although Jason hadn’t been watching Estrella intently, he caught her reaction in the corner of his eye. Following her gaze to the front gate, where the nanny stood holding her son, Jason’s heart clenched painfully. It felt as though someone had taken a knife and diced his heart into pieces.
As Estrella got out of the car, Jason did the same.
“Mommy!”
“Mommy!” Isaac’s voice sang out, stretching his arms wide for an embrace.
Estrella, beaming with joy, scooped Isaac into her arms, and Isaac buried his head in his mother’s neck, breathing in her familiar scent.
The nanny greeted him with a respectful, “Mr. Jason.” It was only then that Estrella realized Jason had followed her out of the car.
Holding Isaac, she turned to Jason, who was still watching Isaac, and said, “Thanks for
the ride.”
“You’re welcome,” Jason replied, his gaze shifting from Isaac back to Estrella.
As he observed the striking resemblance between Estrella and the child-who looked to be no more than two at most-he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch
Isaac.
But as his hand hovered just above Isaac’s head, a tremor ran through his fingers, and he hesitated. This child was his symbol of betrayal, and Jason couldn’t bring himself to make
contact.
Unfazed by Jason’s pause, Estrella simply said, “It’s getting late. You should head
Snapping out of his momentary trance, Jason pocketed his hand and nodded in agreement. Estrella told Isaac to say goodbye to Jason, and in his sweet, childlike Isaac managed a timid “Bye, mister.”
After their brief exchange, Estrella carried Isaac back inside, leaving Jason standing entrance of the Dorvold estate, watching them disappear into the house.
There was a time when he almost came to the Dorvold family daily. However, later, wh he became the son-in-law of the Dorvold family, he stopping coming around anymore. Now, when he wanted to go in
again, he found an unbridgeable gap between himself and that gate. They could never go back to the way things were.
It was a long while after Estrella’s figure had vanished from sight that Jason, without a word, climbed into his car. He sat there silently for an age before finally starting the engine and driving away.
In the following days, every time he thought of Isaac, his heart ached terribly, especially at the thought that the child was the legacy of another man. That realization left him feeling. hopelessly choked up.
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08.04
For all these years, he might have seemed a free spirit, but in truth, he had. her, never been unfaithful to their marriage.
Neither physically nor emotionally. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
I never
betrayed
The thought that he and she could never return to what they were, and their next meeting might be at the registrar’s office, made Jason’s heart cling to reluctance.
After Jason calmed down, Estrella didn’t bother with him. That morning, she returned from the courthouse, and her phone, lying on the table, suddenly rang.
Estrella picked it up and glanced at the screen, then stepped outside to take the call.