Chapter 14
"Kean..." I couldn't help but murmur softly.
The sound was so faint that before it could even leave the car, it was scattered by the wind.
I watched as the man who had been so fierce toward me now looked nervously at Jason.
My back door was pulled open. Jason bent down and said something, and Jessica obediently stretched out her hands, letting Jason lift her out.
Thankfully, it was dark with dim lighting. Otherwise, if Jason had clearly seen the small red mole under Jessica's right eye, the same as his, I really wouldn't know how to explain it.
Watching Jason's figure striding toward me while carrying Jessica, my thoughts drifted uncontrollably.
Once upon a time, hadn't I been hoping for this too?
I had hoped to find Kean so that our family of three could live happily together from then on.
But he wasn't Kean. He was Jason, the man whose very name made everyone in Seaside City tremble with fear.
The car door opened again. Jessica was gently placed in my arms as he said, "You two wait here. I'll handle the rest."
After saying this, Jason gently closed the door and walked toward the driver who caused the accident.
Jessica and I both watched his retreating figure.
The car fell silent for a moment.
After a while, Jessica hesitantly spoke up, "Mommy, Daddy just held me."
Jessica shifted her body, nestling into my arms in a more comfortable position.
Her arms circled my neck, her voice tiny but incredibly clear in my ears, "Daddy's hug feels very different from Mommy's."
I couldn't help but hold her tighter, not knowing how to respond.
My heart ached, as if it were bleeding.
I knew very well how much my daughter longed for Jason, and didn't I want to find my Kean too?
But the reality was laid out before me, harsh and bloody.
Jason and I were worlds apart in status, and he still resented me for abandoning him years ago to marry a rich man.
That he was willing to help us tonight was nothing short of a heaven-sent miracle for me.
"Jessica..." My voice was uncontrollably hoarse and rough.
I stroked Jessica's back again and again, comforting her, "I'm sorry, it's all Mommy's fault."
It was because of me that Jessica couldn't acknowledge Jason as her father.
Jason handled things quickly. Before Jessica and I could exchange more words, he was already back.
The car door opened, and cold wind rushed in, carrying with it Jason's distinctive scent.
Jason said, "All taken care of. Your car can't be driven today. I'll take you home."
At the mention of my car, I felt a pang of heartache.
I had just bought it! Though it was second-hand, it was in excellent condition, practically like new.
And now, after only a few days, it was wrecked.
Jason's gaze fell on me. He paused, then said, "Don't worry about your car. The other party is fully at fault. He'll cover all your repair costs. I've already arranged for someone to tow it for repairs."
He had already arranged everything.
I opened my mouth, but in the end could only say, "Thank you."
Jason looked at me deeply but didn't say much more.
He said, "I'll take you home."
"That's too much trouble for you." I instinctively refused.
But Jason had already fastened his seatbelt and started the car.
The roar of the engine was like a beast, commanding and powerful.
While driving, Jason said, "It's too late now, and this area is remote. Getting a taxi won't be easy. It's so cold tonight—do you want Jessica to catch a cold?"
This was indeed a reason I couldn't refuse.
I held Jessica tightly in my arms and could only say in a muffled voice, "Mr. Cooper, thank you."
Jessica also spoke up very politely, "Thank you!"
The corners of Jason's lips curved up slightly, his tone softening considerably. "It's nothing. Where do you live? I'll take you home."
This was the second time he'd said this.
Without thinking too much, I gave him the name of a neighborhood not far from our actual home.
Jessica was smart and instantly understood my intention, not contradicting me.
Jason didn't seem suspicious. He opened the navigation, entered the address, and the car gradually disappeared into the night.
The heater was on in the car. Exhausted from playing all day and just having been frightened, Jessica couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep in my arms.
I looked out the window, though my peripheral vision kept falling uncontrollably on Jason as he drove.
Since reuniting with Jason, I had never imagined we would have such a quiet moment together.
The time that makes you want to hold on always passes in a flash.
We arrived at the destination. I didn't wake Jessica, just carefully got out of the car while holding her.
After thanking Jason again, I was about to leave when he stopped me. He said, "Wait, leave me your phone number."
As if not wanting me to misunderstand, Jason added, "When the car is fixed, I'll call you to pick it up."
That made sense. But with Jessica in my arms, it wasn't convenient to get my phone.
I could only recite my phone number for Jason to note down.
I spoke very slowly, and with each digit I said, I observed Jason's expression more carefully.
Since the day we separated five years ago, my phone number has never changed.
Because I was afraid that my Kean had only temporarily gotten separated from me, and I was afraid he wouldn't be able to contact me.
And Kean used to know my number by heart.
Back then, he had said with a smile that he would never forget my number in his lifetime. As long as he remembered my number, he could contact me and find his way home.
He said that wherever I was, that was home.
But now, my heart, which had been somewhat stirred, completely cooled the moment I finished reciting the number.
Jason's expression remained as calm and indifferent as always, showing no sign of surprise.
He seemed to have truly forgotten my phone number.
I couldn't describe what I was feeling.
He hated me so much. It was only natural that he'd forgotten.
I suppressed the bitterness in my heart and said goodbye to Jason before walking into the neighborhood.
Only after making sure Jason had left did I carefully come back out of the neighborhood and go home.
After getting home, I helped Jessica wash up and carefully checked where she'd been hit.
Apart from some redness and swelling, there were no other problems.
Only then did I relax and go wash up.
When everything was done, and I picked up my phone, I discovered a new friend request on Facebook.
The person's note said Jason.
I gripped my phone tightly, staring at this name, Jason, over and over for a long time, before finally choosing to ignore it.
What would be the point of adding each other on Facebook?
Lying on the soft bed, my cheek pressed against the soft dolphin plushie.
I nuzzled the little dolphin.
This was a souvenir we'd bought when Kean and I went to the ocean park together, one of the few things we had left.
I treasured it deeply.
I pressed my lips together and used almost all my strength to throw the little dolphin into the trash can.
But before long, I suddenly got up from the bed, picked the little dolphin out of the trash, carefully tidied it up, and put it back on my nightstand.
Tears slid down my face uncontrollably. I sighed softly.
Jason, I admit that even now I still can't give you up, but I'll convince myself soon enough.
Everything between us has long since become a past we can never return to.