Chapter 190
I frowned.
What was Ryan doing?
Didn't he say Lily was his true love? Why hasn't there been any progress after all this time?
Lily continued, "The filming seems to be stuck. When I ask what's going on, the person in charge keeps being vague about it, basically just dragging things out."
I asked, "Do you think Ryan told them to do that? Maybe he doesn't want to lose contact with you?"
Lily replied, "Honestly, I thought that at first too. I was actually secretly happy about it, thinking it meant he still cared about me. But I kept waiting and waiting, and he never contacted me. I secretly checked his account many times, but he hasn't posted anything. I have no idea what he's doing."
The old Lily would never have done these things.
Lily sighed, "Sue, I think Ryan and I probably don't have a future. I've been thinking lately, maybe I should just listen to my parents and find someone decent back home to marry and settle down."
My heart ached hearing this.
I knew very well that both Lily and I had beautiful hopes for marriage.
But Lily's path to love had been so rough.
Because of Chris.
It was really hard for Lily to open her heart again.
But Chris refused to let her go, showing up again and again in front of her and Ryan.
How could this path forward work out?
Just thinking about it made my heart hurt.
I tried to soften my voice to comfort her, "It's okay, Lily. Don't rush into any decisions. Marriage is serious business and can't be taken lightly. Just rest for a while first."
Lily replied, "Okay."
After hanging up, I couldn't stop thinking about Lily's situation, so I went to the study to find Jason.
Jason was working in his office. He looked up when he heard me, "What's wrong?"
I walked straight over and sat on his lap.
I reached out my arms and wrapped them around Jason's neck, looking up at him seriously.
Jason's eyes darkened as he lowered his head to kiss me, but I blocked his mouth.
I asked him, "Where's Ryan?"
Jason's leg bounced.
His tone was displeased, "You're sitting on my lap asking about another man. Is that appropriate?"
I wasn't in the mood to argue with him about this. I got straight to the point.
"Lily went back home to go on blind dates."
Jason was clearly stunned.
From his expression, I guessed he didn't know what was going on between those two either.
I was about to leave when Jason held me down.
He called Ryan right in front of me.
The phone rang twice before being answered.
Jason asked, "You're not back yet?"
Ryan replied, "Do you need something? Or did you miss me?"
Jason's tone was cool, "Do you think that's possible?"
I stared glumly at the phone's call screen without saying anything.
Jason patted my head and said into the phone, "Don't say I didn't warn you—Lily's already going on blind dates."
"Blind dates?"
Ryan's voice immediately became agitated, "Where is she? Who's she meeting?"
Jason pursed his lips, "How would I know! She's your woman, don't you care enough to know yourself? I'm hanging up!"
After the call ended, Jason held me tighter and kissed the corner of my mouth.
"Okay, don't be sad. I've already told him. Let them handle the rest themselves."
I nodded, feeling much less troubled.
From Ryan's tone, he clearly cared about Lily.
As for whether these two could end up together, that was up to them.
Before I knew it, it was New Year's Eve.
Jason and I were still sleeping when his phone rang.
I kept my eyes closed and didn't move. Jason hung up and held me, planning to keep sleeping.
But the phone rang again immediately.
It kept ringing every time he hung up, as if whoever it was would keep calling all morning unless Jason answered.
I woke up and sat up.
I pushed the person beside me, "Just answer it. If you don't, they'll probably call all morning."
I glanced at the phone screen—the caller ID showed Helen—so I went to the bathroom to wash up, giving Jason some privacy.
While I was in the bathroom, Jason took his phone to the window.
His voice was cold, "What is it?"
Helen's voice sounded weak, "Jason, I'm not feeling well. I think I'm sick. Can you come see me?"
Jason's expression remained calm, "If you're sick, go to the hospital. Why are you calling me? I'm not a doctor, and I'm not medicine. Seeing me won't help you."
"Jason, how can you say that? I'm really uncomfortable right now. Please come see me. No matter what, I'm your mother..."
Before Helen could finish, Jason coldly interrupted, "Don't mention that word to me."
Helen choked up, "Jason, don't be like this. I was wrong back then. I apologize. I really regret it now. You're the child I carried for ten months and gave birth to. You're my child. I love you, Jason."
Jason felt irritation rising in his chest.
He took a deep breath, "I'm not a three-year-old anymore. I don't need motherly love. Give me your address and I'll have someone take you to the hospital."
Helen was silent for a while before saying stiffly, "Jason, how can you be so heartless to me? I gave birth to you, after all. I just want you to come see me. Is that so hard?"
Jason didn't want to waste more words and hung up directly.
He stood by the window for a moment before making another call, "Find out Helen's address and send someone to check on her. If she's really sick, take her to the hospital."
I deliberately took my time in the bathroom before coming out.
I looked up to see Jason standing by the window, his back looking desolate, cold, and lonely.
My heart ached. I walked over and hugged him tightly from behind.
I didn't know what Helen had said to Jason.
If Jason didn't want to talk about it, I wouldn't ask.
I just needed him to know I was by his side.
Jason turned around, looked down at me, then hugged me tightly too.
After a moment, I said softly, "Go get ready. I'll go downstairs and make breakfast. After we eat, we need to go to the Old Mansion."
Tamsin had given us notice long ago.
This New Year's, everyone had to be there.
I smiled at him, "Let's go early so I can help with the cooking."
Jason nodded, the gloomy air around him clearing.
"Okay, I'll help too."
I stepped out of Jason's embrace, smiling and shaking my head.
"No, please stay out of the kitchen. Every time you go in, Linda looks miserable. She's practically traumatized from trying to teach you to cook."
Jason stepped closer and pinched my cheek, "Making fun of me?"
I laughed happily, wrapping my arms around his waist and rubbing my cheek against his solid chest.
"I'm just telling the truth, okay? Whenever you enter the kitchen, not only does Linda worry, everyone gets scared. We don't want people thinking you're trying to poison everyone on New Year's."
Jason looked thoroughly annoyed.
"I thought cooking would be simple. I thought I could do it well."
I stood on my toes and kissed him, "Just wait to eat."
Jason looked at me seriously, his eyes full of light.
He said, "Sue, after the New Year, let's get married."