Chapter 103
The wind blew against my face, feeling a bit chilly.
I got in the car but didn't start it right away. Instead, I just sat there quietly.
Even though I'd mentally prepared myself, when I actually faced Cora's disgusted looks and harsh words, my heart still felt heavy and uncomfortable.
It was like sinking into the deep sea—everything around me became blurry, leaving only an endless, suffocating sense of oppression.
I sat in the car for quite a while before gradually calming down.
Leaning back against the seat, I called Jessica's kids' watch.
"Hello, Mom," Jessica's sweet voice came through, and I couldn't help but smile a little.
"Jessica, did you have fun today?"
"Yes! I got lots of toys, and they played with me. Jessica drew pictures for them, and Great-grandma said my drawings were really good!" Jessica answered happily.
Hearing Jessica's cheerful tone, my gloomy mood gradually lifted.
"I'm glad you're happy. Remember to thank them, okay?"
"Uh-huh, I forgot earlier, but I'll go thank them in a bit."
"Good girl."
I was about to hang up when Jessica suddenly called out, "Mom."
"Mom, you saw Grandma Cora today. Are you okay? She didn't bully you, did she?"
I was stunned. I hadn't expected Jessica to ask that.
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
"How can I not worry? Grandma Cora always used to bully you. You shouldn't be so nice to her."
Even though I couldn't see her, I could imagine Jessica's angry little face right now.
I said with a smile, "So if I ever make you sad, you won't be nice to me anymore?"
"That's different. Even if something makes me sad, you wouldn't do it on purpose. I would never be mad at Mom! But Grandma Cora is different. She doesn't love Mom, and she bullies you, so she's a bad person!"
For someone so young, Jessica spoke with clear logic and made a lot of sense.
I couldn't help but laugh, gently comforting her, "I'm really fine. Be good at the Old Cooper Mansion, and call me if anything comes up."
"Okay!"
After hanging up, I felt much better and finally drove home.
Anyway, Cora didn't like me. Getting to this point was already the best I could do.
……
Just before bed, someone knocked on the door.
I went to answer it in my pajamas and saw Jason standing outside.
"What are you doing here so late? Aren't you going home to sleep?"
I stood in the doorway, blocking his way. "Go back. If you don't need sleep, I do."
Jason raised an eyebrow and, taking advantage of his size, pushed his way in.
He pulled me into his arms and lowered his head to kiss me.
I quickly covered my mouth with my hand and glared at him. "What are you doing? Coming to my house in the middle of the night to act like a hooligan?"
"You're not being proactive, so I came to collect my thank-you in person." Jason looked at me with a half-smile.
I suddenly remembered his mention of a French kiss, and my ears burned hot.
I looked away and said, "No way. You have a cold. You'll get me sick."
Jason paused, then reluctantly let me go.
He strode straight toward the bathroom.
Thinking he needed to use the toilet, I didn't stop him. Instead, I sat on the sofa and looked at my phone.
It wasn't until I heard water running in the bathroom that it finally hit me.
He went to take a shower!
Why was he showering at my place?!
But he was already in there. I couldn't exactly burst in and kick him out.
Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened.
Jason walked out bare-chested with a light pink bath towel wrapped around his waist.
I instinctively looked away, then suddenly realized the towel looked familiar.
"You used my towel?"
"Yep."
"You used mine. What am I supposed to use now?"
"What's the problem? We used to share towels before, didn't we?"
Jason didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with this. He blinked at me and said, "If you don't like it, I can let you use it too, as payback for using your towel."
I fell silent and took three steps back, but my eyes stayed fixed on the towel.
Jason raised an eyebrow and pretended to remove it. "If you don't want me to use it, fine. I'm not wearing anything underneath anyway."
"Don't! Go ahead and use it!" I quickly stopped him, my heart pounding.
The two of us in one room, with him wearing only a towel—the atmosphere was way too intimate.
I avoided Jason's gaze and asked, "When are you leaving?"
"I just got here."
"It's already very late."
"But I just got here."
"You..."
Jason suddenly turned his face away and covered his mouth, coughing several times in a row.
I asked worriedly, "Did you take your medicine today?"
"Not yet." Jason looked at me pitifully and sighed. "I was busy at the office today. Forget medicine—I haven't even had dinner yet..."
I had no choice but to go to the kitchen.
It was too late now, and with Jessica not home today, I hadn't gone grocery shopping.
I quickly made some tomato pasta, and the aroma instantly filled the air.
Jason was already sitting at the dining table, his eyes bright. "Smells amazing. Being able to eat food you made with your own hands—I'm the luckiest man in the world."
I glanced at him but didn't say anything.
While Jason ate his pasta, I got cold medicine from the medicine box.
By the time I came out of the kitchen, he'd already finished the whole bowl.
"Sue, you're so good to me." Jason took the medicine and pulled my hand to his lips for a kiss.
I glared at him angrily and took the bowl to wash it in the kitchen.
It was already past my usual bedtime.
All I wanted now was to finish cleaning up quickly, kick Jason out of my house, and get some proper sleep.
Today had been exhausting enough, physically tired, and even more mentally drained.
I was washing the dishes when a pair of large hands suddenly wrapped around my waist.
I paused, then said coldly, "Take your hands off me."
Jason obediently turned and left the kitchen.
After cleaning up the kitchen, I went to the bathroom.
Jason's clothes were casually draped over the sink.
Having worked as Brian's assistant for so long, I could tell at a glance that Jason's clothes needed to be dry-cleaned.
I found a bag and packed it up for him. Carrying the bag out of the bathroom, I said, "Jason, here are your clothes, you..."
Looking around, I didn't see Jason anywhere. My movements froze as a bad feeling crept over me.
Suddenly realizing something, I rushed toward the bedroom.
As soon as I pushed the door open, I saw Jason lying very naturally in my bed!