Chapter 17
I ran out of the villa without daring to stop.
I kept running until I couldn't see the villa behind me anymore, then finally stopped, gasping for breath.
I unconsciously raised my hand to touch my lips, my mind and body uncontrollably replaying that lingering kiss.
Jason, why did he kiss me? Doesn't he hate me?
I pressed my lips together, my racing heart stirring up an inexplicable bitterness.
I thought I was gradually letting go. But my body's most honest reaction told me I hadn't.
Even after getting home, I was still thinking about that kiss.
As soon as I opened the door, both the big one and the little one at home turned their heads to stare at me.
"Spill it! Where did you go!" Lily demanded aggressively.
Before I could speak, she warned me, "Don't even think about lying to us! We can both tell you definitely went and did something today!"
I touched my own face. Was it that obvious?
But this wasn't something to discuss in front of the child.
I gave Lily a look. She immediately understood.
She patted Jessica's little head and said, "Jessica, you go draw for a bit, your mom and I need to talk!"
Jessica nodded obediently.
Lily immediately dragged me into the bedroom.
"So tell me, what exactly did you do tonight? Your face was so red when you came back." Lily stared straight at me, not missing any of my expressions.
I didn't plan to hide it from her. I sighed, "I went to see Jason."
"What?! Why would you go see him!" Lily's eyes widened as her voice shot up.
I had to tell her about the car accident and Jason helping out.
I said helplessly, "I wasn't planning to tell you, afraid you'd worry. I went to see him today to get my car."
"From your expression, there's something you don't really want to tell me." Lily rubbed her chin and shook her head.
I lowered my eyes, looking at my hands, my voice very soft, "He kissed me today. He initiated it."
"He kissed you?!" Lily thought she'd heard wrong.
After seeing me nod in confirmation, Lily said angrily, "That scumbag! Five years ago he disappeared without a word, and now he's kissing you! What does he mean by this? Isn't he just playing with your feelings?"
With every sentence Lily said, my heart hurt a little more.
But even so, I still couldn't ignore the voice in my heart.
"Lily..." I let out a long sigh, looking up to meet Lily's angry face, feeling wronged from the bottom of my heart.
I couldn't hold back my tears, my voice choking, "I admit I still can't let go. I looked for him for five years, and when I found out he'd lied to me, I was really in pain. But I can't let go. My brain won't listen to me. It keeps thinking about him."
Lily's anger gradually faded.
She sighed softly and hugged me.
I said, "Tell me, am I just pathetic? He clearly hates me to death, yet I still love him."
Even just one kiss with unclear meaning could make my heart chaotic.
An indescribable sense of shame filled my heart, making me despise my useless self.
Lily gently patted my back, saying softly, "Sue, I don't know how to advise you, because I've also had a really difficult relationship before. But I can tell you with certainty that whatever choice you make, I'll trust and support you unconditionally."
She released me and took a tissue to gently wipe the tears from my face. "I just hope you can think clearly - Jason's status now isn't comparable to what Kean's was before."
I nodded gently. "I understand."
Seeing the worry hidden in Lily's eyes, I forced out a smile. "Don't worry, I won't fantasize about things that don't belong to me."
Jason now is the head of Glacier Corp in Seaside City, with huge influence there.
And I'm just an ordinary company employee.
I don't even dare let Jason know Jessica's true identity.
If he hurts Jessica out of hatred for me, that's something I absolutely cannot bear.
From the moment we separated five years ago, things between us should have ended.
Looking at my smile that looked worse than crying, Lily hugged me tightly with heartache.
She stayed with me in the room for quite a while, gently patting my shoulder. "You stay by yourself for a bit and calm down. I'll go check on Jessica."
I thanked her.
With only me left in the room, my nerves gradually relaxed.
My cheeks were wet. My tears had fallen again.
I slowly curled up my body, wrapping my arms around myself.
If I can't let go, then I'll just take it slow.
Slowly, I'll eventually be able to let go.
I was thinking I wouldn't contact Jason again unless necessary.
But the next day, Jason came on his own.
Just after having breakfast with Jessica in the morning, I got a call from Jason.
He said, "I'm waiting for you at the entrance to your complex."
Why did he come?
My heart tightened as I carefully asked, "Mr. Cooper, is there something you need?"
"Weren't you making a fuss about your car yesterday?" Jason asked back, then answered, "Come on, I'll take you to get your car."
I couldn't help but look at Jessica, feeling like I'd lied in front of the child and now been caught.
The address I gave Jason that day was fake! What do I do now?
The call was still connected, and Jason was waiting for me to speak.
My mind raced, and I could only bite the bullet and say, "We're not home right now. I took Jessica out this morning."
"Where are you?" Jason immediately asked.
He wasn't going to give up today until he picked us up.
I had no choice but to think quickly and give him the name of a small park near the fake address.
Jason acknowledged and hung up.
"Mommy, was that Daddy calling?" Jessica asked me, blinking her bright eyes.
I didn't dare waste time. While grabbing our things to leave, I briefly explained the current situation to Jessica on the way.
Jessica was smart. As soon as she heard what I said, she understood.
"Mommy, isn't this what you always say. That lying is wrong?"
I nodded heavily, not forgetting to remind Jessica, "So unless it's necessary, you still shouldn't lie."
Jessica asked again, "What's a necessary situation?"
I paused, then said, "Right now is a necessary situation."
I rushed with Jessica and finally got close to the small park.
Seeing the park just across the street, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
A car horn sounded nearby.
I turned my head and happened to meet Jason's eyes.
He opened the door and got out, walking toward us with his long strides.
Jessica hid a bit behind me and put on her star-shaped sunglasses.
"Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Cooper." I gave Jason a polite smile, trying my best not to look at his lips.
"No trouble." Jason nodded slightly, his calm and composed manner making it impossible to tell he'd kissed me so fiercely yesterday.
"Hello," Jessica poked her head out from behind me to greet him.
Jason's expression softened a bit as he took the initiative to pick up Jessica and walk toward the car.
The moment he opened the car door, I froze in place.