Hearing this, Jason came to a dead halt. He stood still for a moment, then turned to lock eyes with
Keith.
The look on Jason’s face had definitely lost its earlier warmth, and his gaze towards Keith had frosted
over.
Keith went for the emotional angle, “You know better than anyone if there’s a future for you and
Estrella. And, come on, if you were really honest with yourself, could you truly accept her child?”
“I can,” Jason replied flatly.
In Keith eyes, Jason was always the level-headed one, not someone to be ensnared by emotions. But
this time, Jason had gone too far, accepting something most men couldn’t stomach.
When Jason didn’t rise to the bait about the child, Keith played the sympathy card, “I’m getting on in
years, Jason. Can’t you indulge an old man’s last wishes? Besides, you haven’t even met the girl I’m
talking about. How can you be so sure you won’t like her?”
“Other than Estrella, I don’t have eyes for anyone else.”
Keith’s face darkened. “Are you trying to be the death of me? Do you want me to leave this world
without peace?”
Jason’s retort was nonchalant, “You’ve had a life of smooth sailing, calling the shots. Not many can
boast of such glory. So even if this one thing doesn’t go your way, I doubt you’ll have any regrets.” That
was Jason’s way of saying, deal with it.
Keith fumed, “You bastard, you’re going to be the death of me.”Jason remained unfazed. “If I am, then so be it. What can I do? Nobody lives forever, and a hundred
years from now, we’ll still have to face each other.”
Kristin, trying not to laugh at Jason’s comebacks, thought to herself that Keith should have kept his
nose out of her son’s business. Keith had summoned Jason back for a blind date, and now, after
getting an earful, hopefully, Keith would drop this.
As Keith was ready to swing his cane at Jason, Kristin stepped in to calm him down, “Please, let it go.
Don’t stoop to his level. You’ll only make yourself sick. And you know how stubborn Jason can be.
Once he opens his mouth, he can rile up the dead.”
It might have looked like Kristen was supporting Keith, but in reality, she was preventing Keith from
hitting her son.
Kristin’s peacemaking didn’t deter Jason from stating, “Grandpa, I won’t trade the rest of my life for
your fleeting happiness, nor will I attend any blind dates you arrange. Estrella is the only woman for
me.” With that, Jason didn’t linger and left the house.
“What a fool,” Keith cursed as Jason walked away.
“Let it go. He’s gone. Save your breath,” Kristin soothed.
Amber, watching the scene with disdain, chimed in, “Did you really think any of your grandchildren
would be pushovers? I told you to stay out of their business. Serves you right for not listening.”
Keith, still irate, declared, “As long as I’m breathing, he won’t be with Estrella. The Nelson family will
not be raising another man’s child.”Amber chuckled. “You think they even want your help?”
As the elders bickered, Kristin nodded in agreement, thinking to herself how formidable her mother-in-
law’s sharp tongue was. But then again, Amber was speaking the hard truth.
Leaving the old family estate, Jason felt irked. Not so much at Keith’s pressure, but at the possibility of
him getting in touch with Estrella.
Estrella was already reluctant to accept him, and resistant to the idea of getting back together. Keith’s
interference would only make things worse.
Hands on the steering wheel, he found himself outside the Dorvold residence without even realizing it.
Jason got out of the car and leaned against it, gazing up at Estrella’s window. It had been three days
since he’d seen her, four days since he’d seen Isaac. Pulling out a cigarette and lighter, he lit up and
blew out a long smoke ring, which helped ease his mind a little.
“What are you doing, lurking outside my house in the dead of night?” Estrella’s voice suddenly cut
through the silence. Jason turned, saw her standing next to him, and hastily stubbed out the cigarette
in the nearest bin.
Estrella eyed the extinguished smoke. “What’s up?”
“Just came to see how you’re doing,” Jason said casually.
That was true, though he hadn’t expected to run into her right outside her house.
Estrella glanced at his car. “You’re blocking the…”
Before she could finish, Jason pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Caught off guard,
Estrella didn’t react right away.With his chin resting on her shoulder, Jason confessed, “I’m tired.”
So was she. After all, who wasn’t tired in this world?
Without responding to Jason or pushing him away, Estrella waited before asking, “Had
08:17
enough yet?”
Jason shook his head and kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you.” He missed her so much he wanted to
hold her forever, to open his eyes each morning and see her.
Estrella said calmly, “Jason, cut it out. I’m not falling for your act.” It had been years, and yet his tactics
hadn’t changed.
Jason didn’t reply, just held her in the quiet night. After a moment, he said, “Estrella, no matter who
comes to you, and no matter what they say, you’ve got to believe in me.”
Estrella guessed from this late-night visit that something was up. He probably came straight from his
family home. She didn’t delve further, simply stating, “You’re heavy.”
Jason nuzzled into her neck. “Just a little longer.”
It had only been days since they’d last met, but to Jason, it felt like centuries. The last outing with her
seemed like a past life.Estrella exclaimed, “Damn it, I’m exhausted, and here I am comforting you.”
Jason planted a kiss on her cheek and murmured, “Still fretting over Glimmering Lake?”
Estrella pushed him away with a gentle but firm hand, “I’m on to something.” Glancing at her
wristwatch, she added, “It’s getting late. You should head back and get some rest.”
As Estrella tried to turn away, Jason caught her arm and reeled her back in, lowering his head to
capture her lips in a more intense kiss.
At first, Estrella tensed, poised to push him away, but the kiss deepened, fierce and compelling.
noveldramaAfter days of silence, Jason’s passion had reignited, yet there was a tinge of melancholy in his ardor
this time, not quite as domineering as before.
Just when Estrella was getting almost annoyed by the kiss, Jason sensibly released her. He stared at
her affectionately and asked, “Estrella, what should I do for us to start over?”
The night was dark, Jason’s voice was soft, and with the evening breeze, the atmosphere became
rather sensual.