Chapter 48
Even though I've told myself countless times that Jason and I are in the past.
From now on, we'll each have our own separate lives.
Just like Lily said.
He'll have a new girlfriend in the future, get married, have kids...
The more I thought about it, the more my heart ached.
I lowered my head, hiding the pain and bitterness in my eyes.
Fortunately, Jason didn't notice anything unusual about me and turned to call Jessica for dinner.
The sound of father and daughter talking came from the bedroom.
"Uncle Jason, look at my drawing. Isn't it pretty?"
Jason's voice was incredibly gentle. "It's beautiful. You're very talented."
"I think so too!"
Jason led Jessica out of the bedroom, hand in hand. The two of them looked perfectly harmonious together.
I looked up at this scene, feeling a bit conflicted inside.
Both bitter and warm.
The three of us sat down to eat. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the restaurant's packaging bag nearby.
The logo on it was all too familiar to me.
Jason and I had reunited at that very restaurant.
When I first saw him then, all I felt was overwhelming joy.
But the first thing he said to me was sarcastic, and the hatred and disgust in his eyes were completely undisguised.
I knew exactly why.
He hated me. He hated me for breaking up with him back then to marry a rich man.
That was normal. I didn't blame him.
But if he'd already made everything so clear, why was he still coming after me now?
Did he think that just because he beckoned and said he missed me, I would eagerly run back to his side?
The more I thought about it, the worse I felt.
I bit down hard on a piece of spare rib, treating it like Jason to vent my frustration!
Jessica blinked, watching my rather fierce actions, and murmured quietly, "Auntie really likes the spare ribs from this restaurant."
I paused slightly, and when I looked up, I met Jason's half-smiling gaze.
"You don't need to eat so aggressively. If you want more, we can order from there again in the future."
I glared at him irritably, but the bitterness in my heart only grew stronger.
The future? Would we even have a future?
After that, no one spoke at the table. The atmosphere felt a bit strange.
I just focused on eating, not wanting any eye contact with Jason.
Just then, Jason's phone on the table rang.
I glanced at it instinctively. It was Victoria calling.
Jason showed no particular expression and just hung up.
But she immediately called again, and Jason hung up again.
This went on several times. If Jason didn't answer, the phone just kept ringing.
Were Victoria and Jason really that close?
In Seaside City, no one dared to mess with Jason, except for Victoria.
A wave of complicated emotions surged through me.
I thought Jason would call back, but he just calmly put his phone on silent and casually tossed it aside.
What should have been delicious food tasted bland to me during this meal.
After dinner, Jessica wanted to help clear the table, but Jason said, "Isn't Jessica's drawing not finished yet? Why don't you go paint first? We'll take care of this."
Jessica's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Thank you, Uncle Jason!"
Jason smiled and ruffled Jessica's hair.
I quietly watched their interaction without saying much.
After coaxing Jessica away, Jason stood beside me and helped clear the table.
Neither of us spoke first, but we were surprisingly in sync, each clearing one side.
After we finished, I went to grab the trash, but Jason's hand got there first and picked up the garbage bag.
He looked up at me and said, "Come on, let's go downstairs to throw out the trash."
I looked at him for a moment without saying anything, then silently led the way out.
Jason followed behind me.
This everyday scene made my thoughts uncontrollably drift back to five years ago.
Back then, we were still in Sunrise City.
I had rented a small place by myself.
Jason always made excuses that he was staying with relatives, so I never went to his place. Instead, he spent most of his time cramped in my small apartment with me.
He pretended that living at his relatives' place made him feel like he was imposing, and that only living with me made him truly happy, like he was living in his own home.
Back then, my heart was full of sweetness, believing that Jason and I were true love, so he was willing to squeeze into a small apartment with me.
Looking back now.
He probably just didn't want to expose himself because his own place was too big, so he deliberately made up an excuse.
What's even more ridiculous is that I stupidly believed him back then.
Feeling sorry that he was stuck living in a small apartment with me.
What I once thought were sweet and happy times were actually just lies.
I gave a self-mocking tug at the corner of my lips.
Suddenly, my hand felt warm.
Jason had taken my hand.
I tried to pull away, but he held on tight.
I frowned slightly and looked up at him.
Jason's expression was normal, as if he'd just done something completely ordinary.
I slowly let out a breath and looked away, focusing only on the decreasing elevator numbers.
Before we reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened.
I yanked hard and finally freed my hand from Jason's, even stepping aside to put distance between us.
Being single with a child already made me subject to gossip.
If the neighbors saw Jason and me holding hands, who knows what they'd say behind my back.
I didn't care about that for myself, but I worried Jessica would get hurt because of it.
A couple got in, the woman affectionately holding the man's arm.
They huddled together, whispering to each other.
Jason and I used to be like that, too.
Always wanting to be close to each other all the time.
Soon, the elevator doors opened. I walked out first, with Jason right behind me.
The evening breeze blew past, but before the coolness arrived, Jason's warm embrace did.
"Let go of me." I instinctively tried to struggle, but Jason held me firmly.
Jason threw away the trash, then kept walking forward while holding me like this.
My whole body went stiff. I spoke uncomfortably, "What are you doing? If people see us, they'll get the wrong idea!"
"Wrong idea about what?" Jason said matter-of-factly. "We're going to be husband and wife in the future. It doesn't matter if people see us."
I was so angry at his shamelessness that I struggled through gritted teeth. "Let go! Jason, have you no shame?! There's no way I'll ever be your wife in this lifetime!"
Jason's arms were strong and powerful, holding tight without letting go.
He lowered his head, nuzzling affectionately against my neck, and said coquettishly, "I only want my wife."
His familiar scent enveloped me.
My whole body went rigid, yet I couldn't control my racing heartbeat.
Just as I was about to give in, I bit down hard on my tongue. The pain instantly brought me back to my senses.
I pressed my hands hard against Jason's chest, using all my strength, and finally managed to pull away from his embrace.
But...
I looked down at the very clear footprint on Jason's leather shoes.
I said, "I'll clean them and return them to you."
"That might not work. These shoes cost three hundred thousand dollars."