Chapter 78
I opened my mouth, then suddenly realized Jason was the only one in the car.
"Where's Jessica?"
"Good thing you can still remember the kid!"
Jason sneered, his voice thick with dissatisfaction. "You're out having fun at a bar, why do you even care about Jessica?"
Meeting Jason's angry gaze, I looked away somewhat guiltily and said, "Actually, I didn't want to come, it was..."
"If you didn't want to, could someone have dragged you here by force?" Jason cut me off directly.
He drove fast, the veins bulging on the back of his hand gripping the steering wheel. "Do you even know how dangerous places like that are? You dare go anywhere. Sue, I really underestimated you! Your nerve just keeps getting bigger!"
I wanted to argue back, but then I thought about it - if Jason hadn't shown up today, it would've been really hard for me to leave.
Jason was furious, lecturing me while driving.
I'd actually only seen him like this once before, five years ago.
Back then, I'd pushed myself to work overtime despite being sick and passed out. Jason was both angry and heartbroken, sitting by my bed with red eyes scolding me.
But now...
I snuck a glance at Jason and muttered quietly, "We don't even have a relationship anymore, why do you care so much..."
"What did you say?" Jason's voice shot up.
"Nothing." I shrank my neck.
I was still in Jason's car, better behave myself. Otherwise, getting thrown out wouldn't be good.
The car suddenly stopped by the roadside. Without giving me a chance to react, Jason leaned over and kissed me.
I instinctively let out a muffled sound.
Jason kissed me fiercely and urgently, kissing me frantically.
The familiar scent filled my nose, the temperature inside the car gradually rising.
My mind grew foggy, my eyes half-closing in a daze.
Just then, a hand suddenly slipped under the hem of my clothes.
I jolted awake instantly, reflexively slapping Jason across the face.
I froze in that slapping position, not yet recovered.
Did I just... hit Jason?
I'd just made him angry, and now I slapped him? Would he just throw me out of the car?
At that thought, my heart sank. I carefully lifted my eyes, only to meet Jason's aggrieved expression.
"You hit me..."
My mouth twitched.
Didn't he know why I hit him?
Seeing I wasn't talking, Jason leaned closer and said, "Can we kiss again? I swear this time it's really just kissing, I won't touch you..."
"Sue, let me kiss you, okay?"
"No." I refused decisively, even regretting for a moment why I'd impulsively slapped Jason.
That wasn't punishing him at all - it was rewarding him!
"Not even one kiss?"
"No."
"I really won't use my hands."
"Still no."
"Sue, are you really trying to kill me here?"
Seeing the conversation spiraling out of control, I turned to look out the window, too lazy to deal with Jason anymore.
Jason rolled down the window, letting the cold wind blow on him for a while before starting the car again.
The road outside looked somewhat familiar. I asked in surprise, "Where's Jessica?"
"I had Grandma help watch her. Grandma really likes Jessica - loved her at first sight." Jason answered casually.
My heart started racing.
Before I could mentally prepare myself, we'd already arrived at Cooper Old Mansion.
Grandma Cooper and Jessica, who'd received word ahead of time, were waiting at the villa entrance.
Seeing me get out of the car, Jessica immediately rushed over cheering, "Aunt Sue!"
"I'm here to take you home. Were you happy here?" I asked Jessica, feeling Grandma Cooper's gaze on me.
"Happy! Great-grandma is so nice. She not only played with me but also prepared lots of yummy food! I love Great-grandma!" Jessica nodded repeatedly, the smile never leaving her face.
Only then did I lift my head, trying to give Grandma Cooper as natural a smile as possible. "Thank you for helping look after Jessica today."
Though I didn't know why Grandma Cooper hadn't told Jason about Jessica's identity.
And since I'd hidden Jessica's existence from Jason and had her in secret, would Grandma Cooper think I was after the Cooper family's wealth?
Grandma Cooper still had that smiling expression.
She took the initiative to hold my hand, patting it affectionately. "Jessica is so adorable, I just love her. When you have time, bring her to visit more often."
I knew she wanted to spend more time with Jessica - after all, Jessica was a Cooper family child.
I really had no reason to refuse, so I nodded gently. "Okay, I'll bring Jessica to see you during her next break."
"Jessica, we're going home now."
I rubbed Jessica's little head, feeling uncomfortable staying here any longer.
Just as I was about to leave, Grandma Cooper called out to me.
"Sue, you're pretty busy with work. Jason told me you usually take care of the child by yourself. How about I pick Jessica up from school after it ends?"
I was a bit surprised, but considering Grandma Cooper's health, I shook my head. "It's okay, Jessica usually goes to after-school care. Your health isn't great, and the kindergarten is far from here. All that back and forth would be too tiring."
"No problem!" Grandma Cooper immediately waved her hand. "I always have a car and bodyguards when I go out!"
After saying this, a belated embarrassment appeared on her face.
I suddenly remembered that the few times I'd run into Grandma Cooper, she'd been alone.
I immediately realized she must have told her people to hide.
I smiled unconcernedly and agreed. "Then I'll trouble you. Jessica doesn't go to kindergarten on Mondays and Tuesdays, so no need to pick her up those days."
"Doesn't go to kindergarten?" Grandma Cooper was stunned.
My heart tightened a bit.
Would Grandma Cooper think I'd spoiled Jessica?
But then Grandma Cooper asked, "Who takes care of Jessica on Mondays and Tuesdays?"
"She stays home by herself."
Bringing this up, I touched my nose somewhat guiltily.
Leaving a four-year-old alone at home really wasn't responsible.
But for me, this was already the best solution.
After thinking about it, I couldn't help adding, "Jessica is usually very well-behaved. She doesn't need much looking after when she's home alone."
Hearing this, Grandma Cooper looked at me deeply.
For some reason, I seemed to see heartache in her eyes.
"I have plenty of free time anyway. How about I pick up Jessica on Mondays and Tuesdays and bring her here to look after her? Then you can pick her up after work. What do you think?" Grandma Cooper looked at me seriously.
My breath caught. I opened my mouth, unable to say the words of refusal.