Estre looked at Jason and just as she was about to speak, the phone in her pocket started to ring. It


    was Autumn calling.


    “Estre, you’re not back yet? Isaac insists on waiting up for you. He refuses to go to bed,” Autumn’s


    voice came through the phone.


    “Mom, I’m already at the doorstep.” She hung up, then nced at Jason with a half-smile. “You are in


    my way.” With Autumn’s call, Estre neatly sidestepped Jason’s earlier question.


    Isaac was waiting at home, and Jason knew it wasn’t his ce to hold Estre back. He gently brushed


    her cheek with his hand. “How about Saturday? We could take Isaac out for lunch.”


    Estre’s response was nomittal. “I don’t think that’ll work.” Her tone left little room for


    misinterpretation.


    “So, we’ll y it by ear this weekend, Jason suggested.


    After a brief chat, Jason moved his car, allowing Estre to pull her white BMW into the driveway.


    A momentter, as Estre entered the house, saac ran barefoot towards her and refused


    to leave her side, clinging to her tightly and refusing to let go.


    Autumn watched helplessly. “Isaac’s been off these past few days, not talking much or eating well. I


    don’t know what to do with him.”


    Estre hugged Isaac tight. “I’ll take him to the doctor tomorrow.” Isaac nestled into her embrace,


    unusually quiet and clingy.


    The next morning, Dr. Lincoln, a middle-aged pediatric psychologist, told them, “The child stillcks a


    sense of security due to the absence of both parents’panionship, so this state often urs. The


    ideal would be for him to receive ample love from both a mother and a father. It would do wonders for


    his development.”


    His implication was clear: Estre should consider creating aplete home for Isaac.


    “Thanks, Dr. Lincoln. We’ll do our best,” Estre replied with gratitude, masking her


    concern.


    Dr. Lincoln offered a gentle reminder, “Ms. Estre, you are so young. You should give yourself a


    chance at happiness too. You don’t have to shoulder everything alone.”


    Estre managed a smile. “I know.”


    After the appointment, as Estre drove with Isaac and Autumn, the weight on her heart grew heavier.


    Isaac’s wellbeing was herpass, and when Isaac struggled, so did she.


    08:17


    Autumn broached the sensitive topic. “Estre, maybe it’s time to find a father figure for Isaac?”


    Estre forced a wry smile. “It’s not that easy.”


    “What about Bryce? He’s a good man, genuine to both you and Isaac.”


    That made Estreugh. “Bryce is fine, but what about his mother and the whole Nelson family?”


    Estre knew theplexity of her rtionship with Jason all too well. Moreover, Bryce had never


    been involved in a serious romance, and here she was, a divorcee with a son. It would be unfair to


    Bryce if they got married.


    That kind of moral bankruptcy wasn’t in her ybook. Besides, there were no romantic sparks between


    them.


    Hearing Estre’s thoughts, Autumn dropped the subject, muttering about keeping an eye out for


    someone else.


    Estre remained silent, and after dropping off Autumn and Isaac, she headed to the office.


    It was a hard truth to swallow. No matter how much she did for Isaac, she could never rece the role


    of a father. Her love could only ever be maternal, not paternal.


    During a staff meeting at the office, Estre’s phone buzzed. It was Jason. Estre took the phone and


    went to the safe exit to answer it. As soon as the call was connected, Jason’s voice came awkwardly,


    “Babe, transfer some money to me.”


    She hadn’t heard him use that term of endearment in quite a while, but now, apparently in need of


    money, he resorted to it again.


    “What did you say?” Estre thought she was hearing things.


    “I’m at the gas station and I’ve run out of cash, Jason exined.


    He added, “I gave you everyst dime the other day, not a penny left.”


    Estre could almost feel Jason’s difort through the phone. “I’ll send you two grand for now.”


    “Perfect.”


    After transferring the money, Estre couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Jason was truly something else.


    That evening, Estre took the bank card and Jason’s forgotten wallet from the agreement envelope


    and drove to Nelson International.


    At the entrance of thepany, when Jason came out surrounded by executives from


    otherpanies and Nelson International, he immediately spotted Estre’s car.


    08.17


    When Jason’s steps came to a halt, Drew’s eyes lit up, and he said, “Mr. Jason, that seems to be Ms.


    Estre’s car.”


    As Drew’s voice trailed off, Jason turned to exchange a few words with a bystander, then made his way


    over to Estre’s side, swung open the passenger door, and climbed into the


    car.


    Estre nced over at the crowd gathered by the entrance and remarked, “Aren’t you going to mingle


    with them?”


    Jason replied nonchntly, “They’re not as important as you.”


    Estre rolled her eyes. After three years without seeing each other, Jason had be really good at


    charming women with words.


    Handing over a briefcase that had been resting beside her, Estre spoke with an impassive


    expression, “Hold on to your own stuff. Also, transfer the shares and assets back. Once the agreement


    is ready, I’ll sign it.”


    Jason’s expression darkened. “You’re seriously not giving us another chance?”


    Estre’s response was decisive. “No chance.”


    Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Jason set the briefcase aside. “Estre, even if we can’t end up together, what I’ve given away, I won’t


    take back.”


    you have


    Estre, hands firmly on the steering wheel, gave Jason a look as if he were a simpleton. “Do you


    any idea how much all this is worth, Jason?” she continued, “And don’t yo know you should keep your


    card?”