Chapter 596


    Chapter 596


    “Dad. I never asked you for anything growing up never demanded a penis asking you for one favor for


    the sake of the thirty years of father–son bond we share. I hope you can grant me this: t you to stop


    prving Ms. Nydia a hard time and don’t stand in the way of Jason’s happiness with her. They’re truly.


    chance withfing another girl like her in his life believe that.”


    Jason and Nydia stood before Dave, their hands tightly interlocked, their gaze deep and endless, a test


    Tove


    Mrs. Dempsey had been frightened out of her wits by Ivan’s words, reduced to tears testament to their


    profound ofplex emotions as he croaked. “van, are you threatening me with your resignation?”


    what you want to call it, then sure van replied with a resigned, bitter smile


    Suddenly, there was amotion outside the hospital room, followed by a knock on the door


    Jason closest to the door, turned and opened it


    Two men in sleek suits stood outside, and Jason’s eyes dropped to the badges on their chests,


    recognizing them as prosecutors


    Cedric in here?”


    The stem voice sent a shiver down Cedric spinel


    Jason’s eyes darkened as he stepped aside to let them through


    The prosecutors walked in with stem faces, and upon seeing Dave, they paused, then respectfully


    bowed.


    Judge Dave’s illustrious past was well–known in the legalmunity a highly respected elder. These


    juniors naturally treated him with due deference.


    “Mr Cedric, pleasee with us” they said, using an honorific out of respect for the old judge


    They didn’t say what for, but as the saying goes, the less said the bigger the issue


    Cedric’s legs trembled, his lips quivered, and each step was as difficult as walking in mud.


    Eventually, he had to be escorted out of the room by the investigators.


    Mrs. Dempsey covered her face and wept bitterly, while Dave’s grey–haired brows furrowed deeply, as


    if struck by a thunderbolt,


    unable to recover from the shock


    No more words were needed, nor exnations from Cedric


    Ivan’s integrity was beyond reproach, and he’d never lied to them. Besides, prosecutors wouldn’te


    to arrest someone without sold evidence.


    At this point, Jason had no more attachment to this home. He wrapped his arm around Nydia’s waist


    and walked with her


    towards the exit


    *Jason! Where are you going? Come back!


    Mrs. Dempsey, tears blinding her, reached out desperately to her son, “Have you forsaken us, have


    you forsaken this home?


    Jason stopped abruptly.


    Mrs. Dempsey’s heart leaped with hope, but in the next breath, his cold words struck them like a knife.


    “From now on, consider your third son dead.”


    The young couple walked towards the hospital parking lot.


    Jason hadn’t said a word the whole way, but Nydia could feel his suppressed anguish through the


    tension in his jaw and the quivering grip around her waist


    Nydia wanted to offer somefort, but knowing that it was all because of her, she doubted her right to


    say anything and simply hung her head in guilty silence.


    “Nydia, don’t me yourself. None of this is on you” Jason reassured her, voice tender to the extreme.


    Tears welled in Nydia’s eyes as she murmured, “But…”


    “You’re my true love, my future. I’ll walk with you unflinchingly, and no one, no one will stop me.”


    Just as he finished speaking, Ivan’s voice reached them from behind, “Jason!”


    They turned, seeing Ivan hurrying towards them.


    “Ivan, thanks for speaking up for Nydia today, for standing by us.”


    Jason’s eyes revealed a touch of warmth, “We’ll never forget what you’ve done for us. I will repay this


    debt, no matter what it takes.


    Ivan’s gaze held a tinge of regret, Jason, you’re my brother, my only brother. Are you s


    saying you don’t recognize me anymore?”


    “No, that’s not what I mean.”


    “Jason, I’m sorry


    The couple was taken aback, and Jason quickly said, “van, what are you talking about? You’ve never


    done anything to be sorry for, don’t say that!”


    “No, I’ve been wanting to say sorry for a long time. It’s just a little toote.


    Ivan looked down, a tear threatening to escape, Tm naturally detached, and I’ve always been


    preupied with my studies, my ambitions, so I never involved myself in family matters. Iknew Cedric


    was bullying you, and I knew you suffered a lot for this family. But because of my indifference and


    selfishness, I never stood up for you as your older brother should have.”


    “Ivan


    “Tve failed as your elder brother And I know I can’t make up for the brotherly love you’ve missed or the


    hurt it’s caused. Now, all I want is to do something for you both, anything to ease my conscience.”


    Ivan then turned to Nydia with a warm gaze and a smile of relief, “Nydia, please take care of Jason


    from now on. I hope you two will soon tie the knot and walk down the aisle. Let me know when the


    wedding is, and I’ll make sure to be there with a generous gift.


    “Thank you, Ivan Nydia’s eyes brimmed with gratitude.


    Jason’s clear eyes shone with sincerity as he ced his hands heavily on his brother’s shoulders.


    “Ivan, you said you wanted to make it up to me, right? Agree to one thing, and it’s all settled”


    “What is it?”


    Jason smiled faintly, “No matter what, don’t resign. I don’t want the world to lose a judge as honorable


    and upstanding as you


    Ivan’s heart pounded fiercely, and tears hovered in his eyes.


    Tonight, Nydia threw caution to the wind, insisting on staying with Jason and not returning to her ce


    in Silveke Harbor


    Jason, unable to change her mind and unwilling to let her go, drove her back to his home in Elmsworth.


    He didn’t own property in Skyrim, but he did own a charming two–story colonial house in Elmsworth,


    even though it had been a long time since he’dst stayed there.


    After a day of ups and downs, Jason knew Nydia was exhausted, so he suggested she take a shower


    while he went to the local supermarket to pick up some groceries and essentials, nning to warm up


    a ss of milk for herter.


    Nydia emerged from the shower, her delicate figure shimmering under the soft lighting.


    On the bed, Jason had thoughtfullyid out one of his white dress shirts for her to use as a nightshirt.


    Nydia slipped into it, delighted by its oversized, dress–like fit. She twirled in front of the mirror, feeling


    more joy than when donning any of her fancy attire.


    Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her.


    Tiptoeing to the bed, she picked up the phone and saw it was a call from her mother, her heart racing


    with panic.


    But in the end, not wanting to worry her mother, she answered the call.


    “Nydia, why aren’t you home yet? Where have you gone?” Myra’s voice was full of concern.


    Tm fine, Mom, I’m doing okay”


    “Where are you right now?”


    Tm in Elmsworth, with Jason.”


    Taking a deep breath, Nydia mustered her courage, “Mom, I’m noting home tonight. Jason’s


    feeling down. I want to stay with


    him.”


    Myra went silent, which increased Nydia’s anxiety.


    After a moment, Myra asked softly. “Are you staying at a hotel, or at your sister’s ce in Elmsworth?”


    “Neither, Jason has his own ce here in Elmsworth,” Nydia’s voice grew fainter, her cheeks flushing.


    “My dear, so you’ve made your decision? You’re ready?”


    Nydia blinked, confused. “Uh,”


    “Jason is a good kid, and you’re twenty two now, a grown woman. I know I can’t control you anymore,


    even if I wanted to.”


    “Mom, L..


    Myra sighed gently, her tone tender without a hint of reproach, but with a touch of concern, “Nydia, you


    don’t have to exin, Ive been there, I understand. If you’re ready to give yourself to Jason, I won’t


    stop you. But be safe, you’re not married yet, and no matter how much you love this man, you need to


    protect yourself and maintain your boundaries. However, I know Jason loves you dearly, and he will


    take good care of you”


    Nydia’s eyes welled up with emotion, her heart fluttering her cheeks blushing like the dawn.


    After waiting for a while in the room without Jasoning up, Nydia decided to seek him out.


    She stepped into the kitchen, hearing the bubbling sound of boiling water


    Jason’s tall silhouette stood motionless by the stove, not responding to her calls.


    Nydia, her bare feet pattering on the floor, wrapped her arms around his strong waist from behind, her


    voice soft and tender, “Jason? What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He shuddered at her touch, quickly trying to wipe away the tear at the corner of his eye, but it was too


    act


    “Jason, you’re crying?”


    “It’s nothing,” Jason mumbled, turning away as a tear dropped into the pot of milk.


    Nydia hurried to his side, turning him to face her, seeing the wet streaks on his cheeks, she became


    anxious and concerned, her warm palms touching his face, “You say it’s nothing, but your eyes are all


    puffy! What’s really going on? Jason, don’t hide it from me, don’t scare me!”


    Jason’s chest felt tight and sore, as if a blunt knife were grinding against his heart, Tm sorry. Nydia, for


    all the trouble you went through today. The more I think about it, the angrier I get, the more I feel so


    useless”