Chapter 57
I turned to look and saw the woman covered in sweat, breathing heavily.
"Of course, we've already finished eating." I sped up what I was doing and nodded.
The woman thanked me and sat down on the rock with a long sigh of relief. "I'm exhausted. My kid insisted on climbing this mountain. We usually just sit in the office working all day. How could we possibly have the same energy as them!"
I nodded in agreement.
I was really tired too when I climbed up with Jessica earlier.
Once two people find common ground, conversation flows easily.
The woman looked around and noticed Jessica and Jason.
She praised sincerely, "Your daughter is so adorable, with such fair, tender skin and a sweet personality too."
Jessica was playing with other kids at the moment.
Her smile was bright and particularly eye-catching.
I watched Jessica from afar, my smile becoming soft and gentle. "She's been well-behaved since she was little."
I complimented her child a couple of times, too.
The woman smiled as well.
Just then, Jessica ran over to play with Jason.
The woman couldn't help but say, "Your husband is handsome too. Your family of three is really happy."
My smile froze for a moment.
Jessica was my daughter, but Jason definitely wasn't my husband!
I glanced at Jason rather guiltily, hoping he hadn't heard.
Worried the woman might say something else embarrassing, I made up an excuse and moved away.
I wandered around for a bit and walked over to Jason's side.
Jason looked down at me.
I looked up at him and said awkwardly, "Sorry, Mr. Cooper..."
Jason didn't speak, just raised an eyebrow at me.
I explained quietly, "Someone just mistook us for a family of three. I was worried Jessica would be hurt if she heard me deny it, so I didn't correct them. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine." Jason smiled.
He put his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed and casual, and said, "As long as you're willing, being used by you is my honor."
Oh no, my heart was racing out of control again.
He lowered his eyes, looking at me seriously with a grave tone, "In my view, Jessica is really pitiful."
He looked up at Jessica playing with other kids in the distance, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.
He said, "She clearly has parents, but doesn't get to be with them."
For a moment, I didn't even know what to say.
Jessica's mom and dad were standing right here, yet I could only pretend I knew nothing.
Just as I was thinking about whether this was a good opportunity to let Jason know Jessica was his biological daughter, Jason suddenly asked, "Why don't Luke and Evelyn take care of Jessica?"
I answered softly, "They're going through a divorce right now and don't have time for their child."
I didn't feel guilty saying this. After all, Luke said it himself when he came to see me last time.
"Even if they're getting divorced, they shouldn't ignore their child."
Jason frowned, disapproving. "Since they decided to have Jessica, they should be responsible for her. Now they just keep leaving Jessica with you—haven't they considered Jessica's feelings at all?"
Hearing Jason's words tinged with anger, I asked tentatively, "Jason, do you like kids?"
Jason's expression changed slightly.
When his gaze fell on Jessica, it gradually softened. "I didn't really have any feelings about it before, but the more time I spend with Jessica, the more I've started to like kids."
Hearing him say this, hope rose in my heart.
As long as Jason liked children, he'd be more likely to accept Jessica!
Thinking this, I took a deep breath and said, "If... would you be willing to let Jessica become your child?"
Finally, the truth about Jessica's parentage was about to come out!
My heart raced.
Jason's reaction was intense.
His eyes showed barely concealed joy as he stared into mine and asked, "Sue, is what you're saying true? As long as you're willing to accept me, I'll accept Jessica unconditionally, love her as my own child, and make her a little princess in this world!"
Without much thought, he said without hesitation, "Even if we have our own children in the future, I swear I'll never let them overshadow Jessica."
My feelings were complicated. "Don't get excited yet. Actually, Jessica is..."
Before I could finish, a jarring phone ringtone interrupted me.
It was Jason's phone.
He just pulled it out for a glance and quickly hung up.
Before I could speak again, the call came through again.
After three or four calls in a row, Jason finally answered impatiently, "What is it?"
"Jason, I'm sick. I feel so terrible right now. I feel like I'm dying. Can you come see me?"
The woman's pained, crying voice clearly reached my ears.
The warmth surging in my heart felt like it had been doused with cold water.
"If you're sick, you should find a doctor, not me." Jason said coldly, "Calling me will only delay your treatment and won't help at all."
"But Jason, I really need you."
Though my mind was nearly blank, I heard the dependence in the woman's voice with perfect clarity. "Only when you're by my side can I feel safe..."
"Then it's time you learned to be strong." Jason still refused.
The voice on the other end paused, then said, "Even though I once saved your life, you still won't stay with me when I'm sick?
"I've already repaid that debt with money once. You should know I'm not someone who gets bound by gratitude." Jason said coldly and hung up directly.
He frowned, as if thinking of something, and called Samuel, "Go check on Victoria, see what's wrong. She called, saying she's sick—take her to the hospital."
My heart went completely cold in that moment.
So it was Victoria.
No wonder she had the nerve to keep pushing Jason's buttons.
Come to think of it, it wasn't surprising.
After all, she was Jason's first love.
Even though Jason was already angry, he still remembered to have Samuel take care of her.
If he already had someone else, why come after me?
Why say all those misleading things?
Could Jason, who already had another woman in his life, really be a good father?
"Once Jason gets married and has his own family, will he really be able to treat Jessica wholeheartedly?"
Lily's earlier words suddenly surfaced in my mind.
No matter how much Jessica wanted a father, I couldn't gamble with Jessica's future.