Web Fic
Chapter 190
Jason suddenly brought up the past, leaving Estrella rubbing her temples, at a loss for words. She hadn’t accepted a ride from Jason earlier precisely to avoid being alone with him and dredging up old memories. After all, it was all water under the bridge now.
Releasing her temple, Estrella glanced at Jason and said nonchalantly, “Why did I have to tell you? Maybe I just fancy playing the solo parent, you know.”
Even after three years, Estrella hadn’t changed. She was laid-back, never sweating the small stuff with anyone or anything-except, of course, when it came to her child and her
career.
Her candor left Jason speechless. Three years had nearly erased his memory of how Estrella never minced her words, never giving you the satisfaction of hearing what you
wanted.
Jason shot her an indifferent look before asking, “Don’t you have any questions for me? Nothing you want to say?”
He figured she must have a lot to get off her chest, maybe even anger and reproach. The hotel lobby wasn’t the place for it, but now he was giving her the opportunity to vent.
led
Hearing his words, Estrella just and replied, “That’s all ancient history. I’ve forgotten all about it.”
Then, looking directly at Jason, she added coolly, “Jason, you should forget it too.”
Why bring up unhappy memories? Besides, after such a long time apart, there was no need to revisit the past.
Estrella’s dismissive attitude stuck in Jason’s craw. He had waited for her at the hotel entrance for a long time, hoping for a serious conversation and to apologize for past wrongs. It was his fault he hadn’t shown up at the airport as promised, and it was his fault they hadn’t talked as he said they would. He hadn’t known she was hospitalized after a miscarriage; missing that had been his mistake too.
But Estrella wouldn’t mention the past and seemed impatient whenever he brought it up. Suddenly, Jason found himself at a loss for words, his apologies lodged in his throat, unspoken. She didn’t care for his mea culpas.
They say adult relationships are simple-just speak your mind. But with Estrella, she wouldn’t waste her breath on those she didn’t care about. She didn’t want to hear his explanations because she was utterly disappointed, beyond hoping for anything.
In her heart, if someone truly mattered, they would never let her down time and again, and leave her out in the cold. The only reason she had endured so much was that Jason had never truly cared.
At her suggestion to forget the past, Jason went silent. It wasn’t until they pulled up in front of the Dorvold family estate and Estrella said “Thanks” and reached for the car door that Jason suddenly grasped her arm.
Turning to face him, Estrella asked, “Something else?”
Jason let go of her arm at her detached tone and look. Estrella withdrew her gaze and stepped out of the car without looking back.
He watched Estrella walk away, a torrent of emotions swirling inside him. Resting his hands on the steering wheel, he stared at the grand Dorvold residence until her figure vanished from sight. Only then did he start the car and drive away.
Inside the house, Estrella was greeted by Isaac, who had his face smeared with frosting, running up to her and exclaiming, “Mommy, mommy!”
Estrella knelt and scooped up Isaac, wiping his mouth, “My little munchkin, always feasting, aren’t you?”
No matter when Estrella returned, Isaac was always snacking on something decadently
oversized.
Isaac blushed and giggled, burying his face in Estrella’s shoulder.
Autumn chimed in, teasing, “Like mother, like son. You’ve been a grazer since you got teeth-never stopped eating, not even on the john.’
“Mom,” Estrella protested with a sheepish grin.
Jesse strolled over with a slice of strawberry cheesecake, remarking as she ate, “No wonder you grew so tall.”
Estrella, standing at a tall 5’9″, was considered quite statuesque among women.
Bryce approached and took Estrella’s bag to set it aside. Since starting his own co he had become more mature and was even more handsome and kinder to Estrella t
before.
As Estrella handed Isaac another slice of cake, Bryce playfully pinched Isaac’s chin, “S ‘Daddy.””
Isaac looked up at Bryce with his big, adorable eyes and cooed, “Daddy.”
At Isaac’s call, Bryce beamed, dabbing a dollop of frosting on his cheek, “That’s my boy,
So sweet.”
Estrella, at a loss for words, watched as Jesse instructed Isaac, “Say ‘Daddy.”
Isaac, with frosting on his face, repeated obediently, “Daddy!”
To Isaac, it seemed anyone could be Daddy, but there was only one Mommy-Estrella. He
wouldn’t even call Jesse a ‘god mommy’, but when Jesse asked for a ‘Daddy, Isaac
08:36
complied without hesitation.
From the moment Estrella brought Isaac into the world, the child had acquired countless ‘daddies.’
When Bryce smeared frosting on Isaac, Estrella kicked him gently, “Having fun, huh? Go have your own kid to play with.”
Unfazed, Bryce dusted off his pants, “Aren’t your kids practically mine, too?”
Estrella scoffed at his remark.
Isaac, delighted by the playfulness, laughed and encouraged, “Daddy, fight.” Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
Bryce was amused, lifting Isaac into his arms, “Ella, my son is too cute.” He then added, “I need to earn more, leave something for my boy. Wouldn’t be fair otherwise, after all the times he’s called me ‘Daddy.””
Over the years, Bryce had shouldered nearly all of Isaac’s expenses, leaving Estrella and Jesse little chance to chip in. To outsiders, and even to Isaac, Bryce was as good as his biological father.
Autumn watched the scene with a smile, “Isaac’s lucky to have all these daddies.”
When Bryce had to take a call for work, Estrella stood up to see him out.
Strolling leisurely into the yard, Bryce commented, “You’ve been back for a few days now, reckon my Jason’s bound to catch wind of it soon,
ال
Estrella, hands nonchalantly buried in her pockets, flashed an indifferent smile and said, “Already ran into him tonight.”
At her words, Bryce’s stride halted abruptly, and he turned around to face her. It was clear from the sudden shift in his expression that this news didn’t sit well with him: