Chapter 24
Two minutes passed.
The villa door was pulled open.
Jason looked at me coldly, gazing down from above.
He remained silent, and I didn't speak up either.
After spending this time together, I had gradually gotten used to Jason's unpredictable moods.
If he didn't want to talk, fine. After all, I was here to pick up Jessica and take her home, not to catch up.
Jason glanced at me twice, then turned and went inside.
I quickly followed.
I turned my head to look around the living room, but didn't see Jessica anywhere.
I couldn't help asking, "Where's Jessica?"
"Already asleep." Jason crossed his arms, his gaze heavy as he looked me up and down.
I pressed my lips together but still insisted, "That's okay, I'll take her back. You've been so helpful these past few days, I can't trouble you anymore."
"She's asleep, and you still want to wake her up?" Jason couldn't hold back his sarcasm. His eyes were cold as he mocked, "Are you saying you don't want to trouble me, or you just don't want to be around me? Are you that eager to draw a clear line between us?"
Drawing a clear line, weren't we both aware of that?
I lowered my eyes, avoiding Jason's cold, angry gaze, but still insisted, "Please show me the way."
Jason said nothing more and turned to go upstairs.
In the room, little Jessica was nestled in the soft blankets, only her fair, cute face showing.
I walked over and sat down by the bed.
"Jessica, wake up." I gently stroked Jessica's head, softly calling to her.
Jessica slowly opened her eyes.
The moment she saw me, the sleepiness in Jessica's eyes was instantly replaced by delight.
"Mom... Auntie! You're back from your business trip!" Jessica cheered and threw herself into my arms.
She had wanted to call me mom, but catching sight of Jason standing by the door, she quickly changed what she was saying.
I was also thrilled to be reunited with Jessica.
I held her little face and gave her two big kisses. "Baby, Auntie missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Auntie." Jessica's whole little body nestled into my arms, refusing to let go no matter what.
We had never been apart this long before.
After holding her for a while, I gently released Jessica and said, "Okay, quickly pack your things, we're going home."
Jessica nodded obediently and got down from the bed.
I helped her pack, and soon everything was ready.
Throughout the whole process, Jason just stood to the side watching silently.
When it was time to take Jessica home, Jessica looked at Jason reluctantly. "Uncle Jason, goodbye. Auntie and I are going home now."
Jason's eyes softened a bit. He took the initiative to grab Jessica's suitcase and said, "I'll take you back."
I instinctively wanted to refuse.
Jason, as if seeing through my thoughts, spoke first. "It's so late, it's not safe. I wouldn't feel right letting you two go back alone."
I silently swallowed back my refusal.
The Alfa sat quietly in the garage.
Jason opened the car door, put Jessica's luggage in, then suddenly went back to the villa entrance.
When I saw Jason returning with my suitcase in hand, I smiled awkwardly.
I'd been so happy to see Jessica that I'd forgotten to get my own luggage.
"Mr. Cooper, let me—"
I stepped forward to take the suitcase, but Jason dodged me. He said, "No need."
I awkwardly withdrew my hand.
Jason put my suitcase away too, then personally carried Jessica to the car seat, carefully and thoroughly fastening her seatbelt.
I quietly watched it all, feeling my heart ache.
Jason got in the driver's seat, and I quickly followed, sitting in the passenger seat.
The Alfa drove quietly along the road, no one speaking inside the car.
I stole glances at Jason from the corner of my eye.
His face looked terrible. I didn't know who had upset him.
I shook my head, not caring.
He was often in a bad mood these days anyway.
When the car reached the apartment complex entrance, I got out, carrying Jessica.
Just as I was about to get the luggage, Jason had already gotten out first and taken it out.
"...Thanks." I thanked him quietly.
Jason glanced at me, his tone distant. "I got it for Jessica."
I was speechless.
Jessica said sweetly, "Thank you, Jason! You're so nice!"
Jason's expression softened. He gently patted Jessica's head before getting back in the car.
The Alfa drove away, and I took Jessica's hand and went home.
After all that running around, I was exhausted.
After putting Jessica to bed, I quickly went to bed to rest too.
The next day happened to be Sunday, so I could rest at home.
I got up early, cleaned the house, made breakfast, and only then woke Jessica up.
Jessica rubbed her eyes sleepily, obediently got up to wash up, then sat down at the dining table.
Her little nose sniffed, and she said, "It smells so good. Mommy's cooking is the best."
I smiled and poured Jessica a glass of hot milk.
Seeing that Jessica had eaten most of her food, I carefully asked, "Jessica, how did you feel staying at Daddy's these past few days?"
"So happy!" Jessica nodded without hesitation, her little face breaking into a smile. "Daddy took me to his company, and so many people there played with me! And Daddy put me to bed every night!"
This was something I hadn't expected.
But thinking of Jason's careful attention to Jessica, I felt it wasn't really that surprising after all.
"So does Jessica really like Daddy?" I asked softly.
"I do!" Jessica nodded, then quickly added, "But Jessica likes Mommy the most!"
I couldn't help but reach out and lovingly stroke Jessica's head.
When Jessica said she liked him, I could clearly see her eyes overflowing with joy.
This was the first time I'd seen Jessica so happy.
"From now on, whenever Jessica misses Daddy, you can call him, okay?" I said gently.
"Really?!" Jessica was overjoyed.
I nodded.
Jessica cheered and hugged me. "Mommy's the best!"
I held her tightly, my thoughts drifting back to my own childhood.
When I was little, I only had my mother, no father.
Whenever I asked my mother about my father, I would only get an impatient beating from her.
After that, I stopped asking.
I didn't want Jessica to go through my pain.
I wanted her to be happy.
Feeling my daughter's softness and warmth in my arms, I thought for a moment and continued, "I'll find a chance to tell Jason that you're his child."
"What about you?" Jessica lifted her little head from my embrace.
"Daddy and I can't be together anymore, but no matter what, we'll both be by your side."
Jessica didn't understand why Jason and I couldn't be together anymore.
But she was sensible and well-behaved. Seeing that I didn't want to talk about it, she didn't ask more questions.
On Monday, I went to work as usual, with Jessica staying home alone.
During a work break, I got a video call from Lily.
I took my phone to the stairwell before answering.
"Lily, how's your trip been these past few days? Are you having fun?"
In the video, Lily's smile was bright. She said, "It's been amazing! I should have come out to see the world sooner!"