Kristin and Keith didn’t expect Jason toe at this time. For a moment, Kristin felt awkward. When


    Kristin looked at Estre, Kristin used her eyes to exin that she didn’t call Jason, and she didn’t


    know why he came.


    Keith, sensing the tension, turned to Jason and said with a casual smile, “Jason,


    timing couldn’t be better. It happens to be dinner time. Why don’t you take Estre out for a bite? I owe


    her a formal meal and an apology once I’m out of this hospital bed.”


    Jason acknowledged with a nonchnt ‘hm’ and agreed to the n.


    Fearing Estre might decline the offer, Kristin quickly chimed in, “Estre, it’s about that time for dinner


    anyway. Why not grab something to eat with Jason before heading back?” “Sure, why not.” Estre


    wasn’t one to make a fuss. Agreeing with Kristin and Keith didn’t. mean she was bound to follow


    through, so after bidding them farewell, she left the hospital room with Jason.


    The ward was quiet, with few patients around, and silence filled the corridors as they made their way to


    the elevator. Jason reached out and pressed the button. Soon, they were in the parking lot, where


    Estre turned to Jason and said, “You go on with your business. I’ll head back now.”


    Jason simply replied, “I’ll drive you home.”


    She nced at her watch, and Jason added, “Just to drop you off.”


    He knew that Estre had only agreed earlier to appease his mother and grandfather, ap since she now


    had a child who was probably eager for her return, Jason tactfully avoid bringing up the dinner


    invitation again.


    Earlier that afternoon, Estre had gone to the government offices with Logan, who had given her a lift


    to the hospital. When Jason offered to drive her home, Estre didn’t put on airs. She opened the


    passenger door and got into the car without a fuss. After all, they had known each other for decades. It


    would be petty to argue over such a trivial matter.


    They both understood, deep down, that their paths were diverging. It was only a matter of waiting for


    the right moment to have that final, definitive talk


    The car started, and they drove in afortable silence, so profound that it felt like they were alone,


    yet acutely aware of each other’s presence.


    Eventually, the car pulled up to the Dorvold family’s residence. From a distance, Estre could


    see the


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    nanny waiting outside with Isaad, her heart instantly lighting up at the sight of her child.


    Seeing Isaac at the end of the day was her happiest, most rxing moment.


    Although Jason hadn’t been watching Estre intently, he caught her reaction in the corner of his eye.


    Following her gaze to the front gate, where the nanny stood holding her son, Jason’s heart clenched


    painfully. It felt as though someone had taken a knife and diced his heart into pieces.


    As Estre got out of the car, Jason did the same.


    “Mommy!”


    “Mommy!” Isaac’s voice sang out, stretching his arms wide for an embrace.


    Estre, beaming with joy, scooped Isaac into her arms, and Isaac buried his head in his mother’s


    neck, breathing in her familiar scent.


    The nanny greeted him with a respectful, “Mr. Jason.” It was only then that Estre realized Jason had


    followed her out of the car.


    Holding Isaac, she turned to Jason, who was still watching Isaac, and said, “Thanks for


    the ride.”


    “You’re wee,” Jason replied, his gaze shifting from Isaac back to Estre.


    As he observed the striking resemnce between Estre and the child-who looked to be no more


    than two at most-he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch


    Isaac.


    But as his hand hovered just above Isaac’s head, a tremor ran through his fingers, and he hesitated.


    This child was his symbol of betrayal, and Jason couldn’t bring himself to make


    contact.


    Unfazed by Jason’s pause, Estre simply said, “It’s gettingte. You should head


    Snapping out of his momentary trance, Jason pocketed his hand and nodded in agreement. Estre


    told Isaac to say goodbye to Jason, and in his sweet, childlike Isaac managed a timid “Bye, mister.”


    After their brief exchange, Estre carried Isaac back inside, leaving Jason standing entrance of the


    Dorvold estate, watching them disappear into the house.


    There was a time when he almost came to the Dorvold family daily. However,ter, wh he became the


    son-inw of the Dorvold family, he stoppinging around anymore. Now, when he wanted to go in


    again, he found an unbridgeable gap between himself and that gate. They could never go back to the


    way things were.


    It was a long while after Estre’s figure had vanished from sight that Jason, without a word, climbed


    into his car. He sat there silently for an age before finally starting the engine and driving away.


    In the following days, every time he thought of Isaac, his heart ached terribly, especially at the thought


    that the child was the legacy of another man. That realization left him feeling. hopelessly choked up.


    08.04


    For all these years, he might have seemed a free spirit, but in truth, he had. her, never been unfaithful


    to their marriage.


    Neither physically nor emotionally.


    I never


    betrayed


    The thought that he and she could never return to what they were, and their next meeting might be at


    the registrar’s office, made Jason’s heart cling to reluctance.


    After Jason calmed down, Estre didn’t bother with him. That morning, she returned from the


    courthouse, and her phone, lying on the table, suddenly rang.


    Estre picked it up and nced at the screen, then stepped outside to take the call.