Inside the small coin purse, besides a few coins that jingled out, the rest were still just


    coins.


    With a look of distaste, Estre said to Isaac, “I thought you were hoarding some secret stash behind


    my back. Turns out it’s just a handful of nickels and dimes. You might as well save them for a kiddie


    ride.”


    Isaac wasn’t pleased when Estre handed back the purse. He pouted his little lips and pushed the


    purse back towards Estre, his voice earnest and childishly solemn, “It’s my


    treat.”


    Across the table, Jason chuckled, “Let the kid show off a bit, will ya?”


    Jason’s words had a yful undertone. Isaac’s stubbornness really did take after him and Estre in


    that respect.


    “Alright, alright,” Estre conceded, unable to resist Isaac’s insistence. “You’re treating.”


    What could that little bit of money treat anyone to, anyway? But not wanting to hurt Isaac’s feelings,


    Estre pocketed the coins.


    They had nned to hit the amusement park after lunch, but just as they finished eating and Jason


    carried Isaac onto the elevator, the child nestled into his arms and fell asleep. The two had no choice


    but to head home.


    After the maid took Isaac inside, Jason turned to Estre, “Estre, I think Isaac and I


    should do a DNA test.”


    Isaac’s affection for him, and his eagerness to y with him – Jason saw it all.


    As soon as Jason finished speaking, Estre looked up at him, her voiceced with usation, “Jason,


    I knew it. You’ve never trusted me. No matter what I say, you always doubt me.”


    Without giving Jason a chance to reply, Estre continued, “If you really can’t trust me, then go ahead


    and test.”


    That struck a nerve in Jason. It was precisely for this reason that he had not pursued the test, choosing


    instead to believe her.


    Their eyes met, and Estre saw theplexity in Jason’s gaze, feeling a twinge of guilt.


    Avoiding his eyes, Estre was about to leave when Jason reached out, tilting her chin up, “Feeling


    guilty?”


    Estreughed it off, “Guilty of what? I’m going back to my son.” She brushed off Jason’s hand and


    turned to enter the house.


    Back at the department store, she had considereding clean to Jason. After all, Isaac


    09:50


    was quite fond of him, and it would be good for Isaac if Jason could spend more time with him. But the


    thought of Jason getting the better end of the deal, by gaining a son so easily, made Estre feel


    resentful.


    Her biggest fear was that if she insisted on not reconciling with Jason, he might fight her for custody of


    their child. Isaac was her life’s work; no one could take him away from her. Back upstairs, Autumn was


    by Isaac’s bedside Seeing Estre, shemented, “The kid sure does want a dad. After going out


    with Jason today, he’s sleeping more peacefully. Look, he didn’t even frown now.”


    Estre smiled, “Yeah, Isaac does like Jason.”


    Outside, Jason lingered below for a while until he saw the curtains of Estre’s bedroom close. Only


    then did he drive away.


    The next day, Bryce and Jesse finally returned from their business trip, and the trio that hadn’t been


    together for a while finally reunited at the Dorvold family estate.


    After ying with Isaac for half the day and putting him down for his nap, the three settled in the


    sunroom for tea. Ever since Isaac came into their lives, their gatherings had been at Estre’s ce.


    Nibbling on snacks, Bryce asked Estre, “E, did you sort out that arson case you were helping


    Serene with? What did Jason say after?”


    Since then, Bryce had been traveling for work, only meeting Estre a couple of times, but Jason was


    always around, so they hadn’t spoken in detail.


    Estre looked at Bryce indifferently. “Maybe started it?”


    “What?” Both Bryce and Jesse were stunned.


    After Estre exined the situation, there was a moment of silence, and then Jesse was the first to


    speak, “I may have said something to Estre out of anger, but I neverid a finger on anything.”


    Bryce let out augh tinged with exasperation, “Now, I wouldn’t even know how to cuss my brother


    out.”


    Bryce wasn’t sure what he would’ve done in Jason’s shoes. He might not expose the truth, but whether


    he could have chosen to marry Estre, he wasn’t certain.


    Jesse stared at Estre, who appeared calm, and mused, “Serene is almost ruled out, and Holly nearly


    lost her life. So what’s the story with that fire?”


    Estre replied calmly, “We’ll have to look for a breakthrough with me. Jason and I have both contacted


    doctors to see if there’s a way to recall the events of that day.”


    00-50


    In recent days, Estre had tried desperately to remember, so much so that she’d had nightmares, but


    still, she couldn’t recall anything about the fire.


    Bryce said, “I’ll continue investigating on my end. And E, don’t tell Serene for now, I worry she won’t


    believe you and might do something rash.”


    Estre nodded in agreement.


    Jason had taken years without giving an answer, and he wasn’t in a rush to provide one now. He had


    long suspected that there was more to the story than met the eye. As for the doctors, Jason had


    already sent their information to Estre, who had agreed to meet


    them. Drew was arranging the time.


    Jason had hoped to spend more time with Isaac, but with Bryce and Jesse’s return, he reluctantly


    shelved the idea.


    That evening, after finishing work, Jason returned home to find Holly waiting for him. In the living room,


    Marie hurried to report to Jason, “Mr. Jason, you’re back.” and then added, “Ms. Holly is here. She’s


    been waiting for quite a while.”.


    Acknowledging Marie with a “Noted,” Jason dismissed her, his expression somewhat grim.


    Holly saw Marie leave and turned to Jason with a gentle smile, “I wasn’t sure how you were recovering


    after the hospital, so I thought I’de over and check on you.”


    Jason lounged on the couch nearby, stretching his legs, and muttered, “I’m fine.”


    Jason wasn’t willing to say much, and his attitude wasn’t warm. Holly’s smile looked a bit awkward on


    her face. She ventured, “Saw the tabloid frenzy yesterday, made me think it’s been ages since west


    touched base.”


    The day before, Jason had been snapped hanging out at the amusement park with Estre and Isaac,


    and the photos ended up stered all over the inte. Estre, though, wasn’t one for the limelight


    and certainly didn’t want Isaac caught in the media crossfire. So, she quickly made moves to get all the


    rted snaps and chatter pulled down at a price.


    Truth be told, gossip or no gossip, Holly was aware that Jason and Estre had been in


    contact.


    After a dragging silence, Jason cut to the chase, “You got something on your mind?”Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.