Chapter 83
The smile on Jason's face completely froze.
He stared in disbelief, looking at Grandma Cooper with a rather resentful expression. "How did you know?"
"I have to thank Victoria for that. She came to me before, telling me Sue had a child, originally trying to drive a wedge between Sue and me. But I could tell at first glance that Jessica was our family's child!"
At this point, Grandma Cooper took my hand, quite moved. "These years have been so hard on you. Don't worry, from now on we'll take good care of you both."
My eyes felt slightly warm as I said, "Jessica is also my child. Taking care of her is what I should do, and I love Jessica very much."
Jason pulled out his phone at this moment, walked to the balcony, and called Samuel.
His emotions were running high, and his voice carried from the balcony, "Victoria doesn't need to go to the Country F branch anymore. Fire her directly, put her on Glacier Corp's blacklist, and never hire her again!"
I took this opportunity to ask in confusion, "Grandma Cooper, since you already knew about Jessica's identity, why didn't you tell Jason?"
This was something that had always puzzled me.
To my surprise, Grandma Cooper lovingly stroked my cheek and let out a long sigh. "You raised Jessica all by yourself. I know how much hardship you endured, how many judgmental looks you faced! And you're the granddaughter-in-law I've chosen, so of course I'm going to help you."
Grandma Cooper's words stirred ripples deep in my heart.
This was the first time in my life I'd experienced love from an elder.
My nose tingled, and my eyes grew moist without me realizing it.
My vision gradually blurred. I blinked and raised my hand to wipe away my tears somewhat awkwardly.
Grandma Cooper handed me a tissue.
I lowered my head to wipe my tears, but guilt surged in my heart. "I'm sorry, Grandma Cooper. You've been so good to me, but Jason and I..."
"That's between you, young people. I'm too old to get involved. Jason was the one who wronged you back then. If he can't earn your forgiveness and marry you, that's his own failure. He can't blame anyone else."
Grandma Cooper pulled me to sit on the sofa, gently patting my back.
"And Jessica, even though she's a Cooper family child, you're still the one who carried her for ten months and gave birth to her. You've raised Jessica so well. I can feel that you truly love this child. Don't worry, we won't forcibly take Jessica away. She'll still grow up by your side."
Hearing this, I was deeply moved.
I never expected that what I'd been most worried about would be resolved so easily.
Jason came back after finishing his call.
He first looked at me, then at Jessica.
Jason strode over to Jessica, his voice filled with barely concealed hope. "Jessica, call me dad."
Jessica instinctively turned to look at me.
I nodded at Jessica encouragingly.
Jessica's face turned red as she called out softly, "Dad."
Seeing her shy expression, I couldn't help but smile.
Now that they were truly acknowledging each other as father and daughter, she'd become bashful instead.
Jason noticed this, too.
He gently ruffled Jessica's hair, then walked over to me.
"Sue, I'm hungry. I haven't had breakfast yet. Will you make me breakfast?"
"If you're hungry, don't you know how to cook for yourself?! Ordering Sue around like this—is she your maid or your nanny?" Before I could speak, Grandma Cooper kicked Jason directly.
Jason clutched his kicked thigh and stepped back to create distance. "Grandma Cooper, don't be angry. I'll cook for myself."
"How can you be so selfish?! Only cooking for yourself, is that it? Don't Grandma and Sue need to eat?" Grandma Cooper got more worked up as she spoke, looking like she wanted to rush over and slap Jason.
I sat to the side, secretly holding back laughter.
Jason's gaze instantly locked onto me, complaining, "Now Grandma Cooper treats you like her own granddaughter. I'm the outsider."
Those words were too intimate. I immediately stopped smiling and silently got up to take the half-eaten breakfast to the kitchen.
Jason followed me in.
He didn't mind at all, grabbing the remaining sandwich and stuffing it in his mouth.
"Having breakfast now seems a bit late. Let me make lunch in a bit." Jason volunteered.
I said, "You should be going to work now."
"Don't want to go to work." Jason was straightforward.
Since he wouldn't leave, I had no way to deal with him, especially with Grandma Cooper still in the living room.
Jason had someone deliver fresh ingredients and put on a pink apron, looking ready to show off his skills.
But when I saw him cutting potato strips thicker than fingers, I fell silent.
Also silent were Jessica and Grandma Cooper, who had poked their heads in to watch the excitement.
The two at the doorway exchanged glances.
Grandma Cooper beckoned to me.
I walked to the kitchen door and asked in confusion, "Grandma, what's wrong?"
"Sue, I'm planning to go out to eat with Jessica. Come with us. By the time Jason finishes cooking, it'll probably be evening."
Grandma Cooper's tone was natural, without any guilt about leaving Jason alone at home.
I turned to look at the figure clumsily cutting vegetables in the kitchen. In the end, I couldn't bear it and shook my head. "It's okay. You and Jessica go eat. We'll eat at home."
After thinking, I added, "We can't waste food."
Grandma Cooper nodded. "Then you two have a good time together."
Then she left with Jessica.
I returned to the kitchen and took the knife from Jason's hand, saying, "Let me do it."
Jason was still unwilling, looking at me pitifully. "Didn't we agree I'd cook for you?"
"I don't want to starve to death." I pointed at the clock hanging on the wall.
It was already one o'clock, and we hadn't even eaten breakfast.
Jason immediately shut his mouth.
I wanted him to leave, but he stubbornly refused. I had no choice but to let him help on the side.
Hearing how quiet it was outside, Jason belatedly asked, "Where are Grandma and Jessica?"
"They thought you were cooking too slowly and went out to eat," I told him the truth.
Not only was Jason not hurt by being rejected, but he seemed quite happy. "That's great. Now it's just the two of us."
Ignoring Jason beside me, I skillfully cut the vegetables.
Jason said from the side, "Sue, don't worry. From now on, I'll definitely learn to cook, and then I'll make you delicious food every day."