Estre couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle, “Don’t worry. I’ve got a son now, I’m not going to do


    anything foolish. Plus, I’ve got more self-respect than that.”


    Even if she had once thrown caution to the wind where Jason was concerned, those days were well


    behind her. It was during that fall at Sandalwood Oasis that she felt as though years of feelings for


    Jason had been wiped clean.


    After Estre’s reassurance, Bryce eased up a bit. “d to hear you’ve got some sense of self-


    respect.”


    Estre shot him a re, which he met with augh while ruffling her hair. “I’m off then. You should


    head inside.”


    “Sure thing,” Estre agreed, but she lingered outside until Bryce started his car and waved for her to


    go in. Then, hands buried in her jacket pockets, she ambled back to the house at a leisurely pace.


    During her three years abroad, especially when Isaac was born, she was deeply grateful for Bryce’s


    tireless support.


    By the time Estre returned to the vi, Isaac had already fallen asleep on Jesse’s


    shoulder.


    Isaac was asleep, Estre was back, and Jesse, after spending a while with the Dorvold family, headed


    home as well.


    Fresh from the shower, Estre found Autumn still keeping watch by Isaac’s bedside. As Estre joined


    her, the conversation naturally turned to Jesse. They both agreed that Jesse was of an age to settle


    down, and Estre mentioned that finding the right person could happen in the blink of an eye.


    Over the years, she and Bryce had introduced Jesse to plenty of potential suitors, Jesse had always


    been reluctant, likely due to some deep-seated issues from her


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    childhood:


    Estre simply hoped that Jesse would soon meet the right person and experience the joys of family


    life.


    After discussing Jesse, Autumn looked affectionately at the sleeping Isaac and remarked “Estre,


    Isaac is the spitting image of you. If you two were out and about, people might mistake her for a little


    lady.”


    Estre smiled and gently stroked Isaac’s forehead, “I just hope he gets a bit taller.”


    Isaac had always been a picky eater, which meant he was a bit shorter than other kids his age, and he


    was ate talker, too. Estre had lost count of the number of doctor’s visits they’d had because of it.


    But Isaac’s appetite had improved dramatically in thest three


    08:36


    months. He was eating non-stop every day. If not for his recent growth spurt, he would look even


    smaller than he did now.


    “Kids grow at their own pace,” Autumn murmured. “Isaac has been doing well during this period. He will


    only continue to grow better in the future. You


    see, during this time, other kids have been taking turns getting sick, but Isaac hasn’t been affected.”


    Estre, gently touching Isaac’s forehead, whispered, “I hope so.”


    After talking about Isaac, Autumn lowered her voice, “Estre, I heard from Bryce that you’re


    considering leaving after wrapping up your cases.”


    201


    Estre replied, “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”


    Autumn’s emotions began to surge. “Estre, your father and I only have one daughter. Are you truly


    nning to abandon us here?”


    Mixe


    “Besides, what’s so great about living abroad? You’d be all alone with no familiar faces around. Why


    are you so keen on leaving? Even if you’re not considering…”


    Breaking down into tears mid-sentence, Autumn caused Estre to feel an oing headache. She


    quickly signaled for her mother to pause, “Mom, Mom, take a moment, please.”


    Their eyes locked, and Estre said helplessly, I won’t go, okay? Let’s not make a mountain out of a


    molehill.”


    Autumn had a way of bringing up grievances from as far back as her first birthday and could carry on


    until the next morning. Estre was genuinely intimidated by Autumn’s theatrics and quickly tried to


    shut it down.


    Since Estre promised to stay, Autumn’s demeanor shifted back to normal as if the tears had never


    happened.


    Tucking Isaac in, Autumn advised, “Then you should get all the necessary paperwor sorted out


    tomorrow. It’ll make things easier for Isaac.”


    “Will do,” Estre agreed.


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    “The father of the child? We’ll need his information to process these documents. Please bring all the


    required paperwork next time,” a clerk said to Estre the next day as she tried to get Isaac’s


    documents in order.


    Estre replied, “I’m a single mother, divorced.”


    The clerk frowned, “Divorced? Our records show you’re still married.”