Chapter 163 Undercurrents
Jasper rested for two days, and his fever completely broke. His little face regained its usual rosy glow, and he turned back into that lively little boy, circling around Aria and chattering non-stop.
Perhaps because Aria hadn't kicked him out that day, Arthur had been coming over punctually every day for the past two days, either bringing warm meals or fruits and toys that kids love, never saying much.
He only helped out when Aria was busy. When Jasper called him "sir," he would respond warmly. He kept such perfect boundaries that Aria couldn't find a strong enough reason to make him leave even if she wanted to.
On the third evening, Aria was playing with building blocks with Jasper in the living room when the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Arthur, she casually said, "Come in."
Looking up, she saw Lance pushing the door open, carrying a big bag of kids' snacks and nutritious ingredients, with a smile on his face. "Is Jasper feeling better? Mr. Gray is here to see you."
"Mr. Gray!"
Jasper immediately dropped his blocks and ran over to him.
Lance bent down to pick him up, pinched his little face, and said with a smile, "Look at that energy—seems like you're completely better."
Aria stood up to greet him, about to say something when there was another gentle knock at the entrance.
Then Arthur's figure appeared at the door, holding a bowl of freshly made yam and pork rib soup. He looked up and spotted Lance in the living room. Their eyes met in mid-air, both darkening a bit.
A subtle tension filled the air.
Lance held Jasper, his fingers gently patting the child's back, his gaze falling on Arthur. His smile faded somewhat, his tone indifferent. "Mr. Grant."
Arthur nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes sweeping over Lance's arms holding Jasper, then looking toward Aria. His tone remained calm. "I had the housekeeper make some soup. Give it to Jasper to help him recover."
He walked in and placed the soup on the dining table, not looking at Lance again. He just crouched down to look at Jasper, his tone gentle. "Jasper, are you feeling better? Do you still like building blocks? I brought a new puzzle."
"I do!"
Jasper answered crisply, sliding down from Lance's arms. He wanted to see the puzzle in Arthur's hands, but then turned back to tug at Lance's hand. "Mr. Gray, let's play together."
The two men looked at the child between them, then at each other, both with a hint of subtle competition in their eyes. But because of the child's words, they both suppressed their distance.
Aria watched the scene, her brow furrowing slightly. She sighed helplessly, walked forward, and took the puzzle from Arthur. "Thank you for the soup and puzzle. Jasper just got better—don't let him play too long."
Then she turned to Lance. "Are you done with work? How come you had time to come over today?"
Lance nodded. "Yeah, just finished up. Thought I'd come see Jasper."
In the living room, Jasper pulled Arthur and Lance to sit on the carpet, giving each of them a puzzle piece and chirping instructions on how to put them together.
Though both men had their own thoughts, they went along with the child's wishes. When their fingers occasionally touched, they would each pull away. The atmosphere wasn't exactly harmonious, but because of Jasper's presence, there was a subtle peace.
Arthur watched Aria's busy figure in the kitchen, then looked at Lance laughing with the child beside him. Something dark flashed in his eyes.
He knew Lance had been Aria's support for these five years, that Lance had helped her a lot, and that the child's closeness with him was something he couldn't compare to.
Besides, to Aria now, he was just a stranger who came too late. But even if there was only the slightest chance, he didn't want to let go.
His blood relationship with Jasper was his only bargaining chip.
Lance caught Arthur's gaze from the corner of his eye. His lips curved slightly as he raised his hand to ruffle Jasper's hair, his voice deliberately raised. "Jasper, this weekend I'll take you to the amusement park, okay? And we'll get your favorite strawberry ice cream."
"Yes, yes!"
Jasper cheered and clapped, then turned to look at Arthur, his tone a bit cautious. "Can Mr. Grant come too?"
A child's world is the purest—whoever treats them well, they treat well in return.
Arthur's attentiveness these past few days had made Jasper feel a different kind of closeness to him.
Since Jasper brought it up, Arthur naturally nodded immediately and said warmly, "Sure, I'll go with you."
The two men's eyes met again, both carrying a silent challenge.
Aria came out with water and saw this scene. Her brow furrowed, but she didn't say much.
She knew Arthur's intentions and understood Lance's protectiveness, but right now she just wanted to protect Jasper and let him grow up safely. As for everything else, she hadn't thought about it.
As night deepened, Arthur stood up to leave first. Before going, he touched Jasper's head and looked at Aria. "Keep the soup warm. Let Jasper drink half a bowl before bed. I'll come by again tomorrow."
Without waiting for Aria to refuse, he turned and walked out.
After Arthur left, Lance looked at Aria and said softly, "Has he been coming every day these past two days?"
Aria nodded and poured him a glass of water.
"Yeah, bringing food. He doesn't stay long."
"Aria."
Lance took the glass, his fingers touching the cool surface, his tone serious. "I know he's Jasper's father, but some things can't just be made up for and treated like they never happened. You know what these years have been like. I won't push you too much, but think it over carefully. Don't let yourself get hurt. You don't need to worry about what might happen back home—I'm here, and I won't let you and Jasper be wronged."
Lance knew about Aria's hardships over the years, and he knew about her past feelings for Arthur. He worried that Aria might soften toward Arthur because of these changes, and then regret it later—that would make all those years of suffering for nothing.
Aria saw the sincerity in Lance's eyes, warmth rising in her heart. She nodded gently. "I know. Thank you, Lance."
Of course she knew. She kept reminding herself. Back then, she had been too soft-hearted, which was how she ended up in that situation. After all these years, she was no longer that woman whose heart was full of nothing but Arthur.
Besides, between her and Arthur, it wasn't just about Jasper. Between them lay a five-year gap, and there was Sophie's existence. Many things weren't that simple.
Their relationship had long been shattered—shattered at that wedding five years ago, shattered by his repeated neglect during those three years of marriage.
Between them, it was no longer a relationship that could easily turn back.
She leaned back on the sofa, looking at Jasper already asleep in the bedroom, her eyes full of complexity.
She knew clearly that Arthur's appearance, Lance's protection, and perhaps some schemes still lurking in the shadows, all meant that her life could never return to its former peace.