Chapter 290 Breaking the Ice

Chapter 290 Breaking the Ice

The car smoothly pulled into the residential complex.

Arthur carried Jasper out of the car first. Jasper was tired from playing and drowsily leaned against his shoulder, his little brow completely relaxed.

Aria walked ahead to open the front door.

Once inside, Arthur gently placed Jasper in the children's room, tucked him in with his little blanket, then bent down to kiss his forehead—his movements incredibly tender.

He closed the door and turned toward the living room.

Aria was standing by the window, gazing at the night scene below.

Arthur walked over slowly and stopped behind her. After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness, "Aria."

Aria turned around to look at him, her expression calm, "What is it?"

Arthur's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes full of affection and sincerity, "I know I was wrong before, leaving you to shoulder so much alone, letting you suffer so much."

"Everything that's happened recently has only made me more certain of what I want."

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice becoming a bit hoarse, "Could you... give me another chance? Let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you, protecting you and Jasper."

Aria looked at him quietly, her heart trembling slightly.

She wasn't unmoved by everything during this time, and she had seen his changes.

Watching someone who used to be so proud lower himself for her sake to do things he'd never done before—it felt somewhat surreal.

Honestly, she quite liked how they were getting along now. This seemed to be the life she'd wanted before, except this kind of life had come so many years too late...

Perhaps her heart had already forgiven him, she just didn't realize it herself...

During this time, those feelings of unease and guardedness had quietly melted away through his repeated acts of protection.

She remained silent for a long while, then as if making a decision, said with relief, "Okay."

One word, light as a feather, yet heavy as a thousand pounds.

Arthur froze instantly, wild joy flashing in his eyes, mixed with disbelief.

He carefully pulled her into his embrace, his movements so gentle as if afraid of breaking something precious.

"Thank you, Aria."

He buried his face in her hair, his voice filled with barely contained excitement and cherishing, "Thank you for giving me another chance. I won't let you regret it."

Aria leaned into his warm embrace, his clean, pleasant scent filling her nose.

Let's trust him one more time!

Hopefully, he truly won't make her regret it.

...

The next morning.

Arthur got up early and came to Aria's apartment. Last night he'd asked Aria for the passcode, saying he wanted to come make breakfast.

Aria couldn't refuse him, so she agreed.

When Arthur arrived, both Aria and Jasper were still asleep. He moved quietly into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

When Aria walked out of the bedroom, she saw this scene, and warmth filled her heart, a smile unconsciously forming on her lips.

Arthur heard the sound and turned around, his eyes instantly rippling with a gentle smile, his tone naturally affectionate, "You're up? Breakfast is almost ready."

"Okay."

Aria nodded and walked over to help him set the table.

Soon after, Jasper came running out of his room rubbing his eyes. When he saw Arthur, his eyes filled with delight, "Arthur, good morning."

"Good morning, Jasper. Go brush your teeth, we can eat soon."

Arthur also greeted Jasper with a smile.

Jasper nodded in response, "Okay."

Aria also went in to help Jasper wash up before coming back out.

Arthur had already brought all the breakfast to the table, looking at them both with a smile in his eyes.

"Come eat."

"Okay."

After Jasper and Aria sat down, Arthur naturally took the seat next to Jasper and put eggs in both their bowls.

Jasper's gaze moved between the two of them, then he spoke in a sweet childlike voice, "Arthur, Mommy, you're both acting so strange today."

Arthur paused, the smile in his eyes deepening. He turned to look at Jasper and deliberately asked, "Strange how?"

Jasper blinked and said seriously, "You're both smiling all the time, and... when you look at each other, your eyes are all sparkly, different from before."

Jasper's innocent and direct words were adorable, making Aria's cheeks flush slightly as she instinctively lowered her gaze.

Arthur looked at her reddening ear tips, the smile in his eyes growing even deeper.

Without any hesitation, right in front of Jasper, he reached out and firmly took Aria's hand.

His palm was warm and dry. He looked up at Aria, his eyes full of undisguised joy and affection, then turned to look at Jasper, his tone light and cheerful, "Because Arthur really likes Mommy and wants to be with Mommy, so he's very happy."

Aria's hand was held tightly by his, her heart trembled, and she looked up to meet his smiling eyes. Her cheeks grew redder, but she didn't pull her hand away, a slight smile forming on her lips.

Jasper looked at their clasped hands, his eyes lighting up, a big smile spreading across his little face as he clapped and cheered, "Yay! Does that mean Arthur can stay with me and Mommy forever?"

Arthur nodded solemnly and responded, "Yes."

After speaking, Arthur looked at Jasper again and said softly, "Is Jasper willing?"

Jasper nodded vigorously, his face full of excitement, "I'm willing! I'm super willing!"

He leaned forward against the table, his little face full of seriousness, "I've wanted Arthur to stay with us forever for so long! That way someone can play with me every day and protect Mommy. I'd be so happy!"

Arthur looked at Jasper's excited expression, the smile in his eyes deepening as he tightened his grip on Aria's hand.

Aria looked at the big one and the little one in front of her, unable to quite describe her feelings.

This was probably the power of blood ties.

In terms of companionship, Lance had actually spent more time with Jasper than Arthur, but Jasper's behavior in front of Lance versus in front of Arthur was completely different.

With Arthur, Jasper showed complete dependence.

This was actually one of the reasons why Aria was willing to give Arthur another chance—she also wanted her child to experience the fatherly love that belonged to him.

Aria gathered her thoughts and said softly, "Alright, eat your breakfast quickly, or it'll get cold."

"Okay."

Arthur and Jasper exchanged a smile and lowered their heads to eat, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

After breakfast, Arthur cleaned up the dishes, and he and Aria took Jasper to kindergarten.

After dropping off Jasper, Arthur drove Aria to the flower shop.

At the shop entrance, he looked at her with smiling eyes and said gently, "I'll pick you up tonight, and we'll go home together."

Aria paused, and after meeting his smile-filled eyes, nodded lightly, "Okay."

Arthur leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, "Wait for me."

Only then did he release her hand, watching her walk into the flower shop before turning to drive to the company.