By the time Jason slid her blouse aside, Estre finally managed to push him away, straightening her
clothes as she said, “Are we officially together now? Do not push your luck.”
Jason pulled her into an embrace. “Hug.”
His impromptu act of affection rendered Estre powerless to push him away this time. Atst, after he
felt satisfied, he released her and drove her home.
When Estre got back, Isaac was already napping.
Seeing Estre, Autumn immediately called her over. “Estre, how did the blind date go? That doctor
seemed like a catch, didn’t he?”
Estre stifled a yawn. “Not a good fit.”
Autumn’s face, previously alight with smile, clouded over with disappointment upon hearing Estre’s
verdict. “What do you mean, ‘hot a good fit’?”
Before Estre could reply, Autumn pressed on, “I thought he was quite suitable. A man of education
and decent job, looks honest and reliable – not the type to flirt around. That’s the kind of man you settle
down with.”
Estre responded, “Just didn’t feel the spark.”
What Estre didn’t dare tell Autumn was that Jason had whisked her away before she even finished
her meal, knowing full well that Autumn would be livid if she found out.
With Estre’s nonchnt answer, Autumn’s expression grew even more sour. “So, it’s his looks you’re
objecting to? The guy isn’t bad-looking. Don’t be too picky, you know. And let’s face it, there aren’t
many out there who can hold a candle to Jason’s looks. If you keep being this selective, you might
never tie the knot.”
Estre quipped, “Guess I’ll just stop judging by looks. But mom, I’m so sleepy I can barely keep my
eyes open. I’m going upstairs to rest.”
She had been married before, after all. What was the rush?
Autumn grumbled, “It’s the weekend, and all you do is sleep. You’ve already gone out to eat with the
man. Why not catch a movie, and give romance a chance? These things take time, you know. If you
gave it a chance, spent some time together, you might just discover something endearing about him.”
Estre climbed the stairs silently, but Autumn raised her voice, “Estre, I’m talking to you!”
Estre turned around, “Mom, the Glimmering Lake case is about to go to trial. Please don’tplicate
things for me right now.”
09:42
“Work, work, work. Is there nothing more to your life than work?” Autumn retorted.
Estre, seizing the moment to change the subject, threw a curveball. “Mom, what if I told you Isaac
might be Ja’son’s son? What then?”
“What?” Autumn was instantly on alert, her eyes widening. “Jason’s child? But I asked you before, and
you said no.”
“Estre, who is Isaac’s father, really?” Autumn insisted, then added, “If it turns out to be Jason, I won’t
support you two getting back together. He hurt you too much back then.”
Autumn paused for a moment and then said, “But the timing doesn’t match up.”
Estre responded, “Mom, I’m just saying ‘if.”
“What do you mean ‘if’? Who is Isaac’s father, exactly?”
“A miracle of science and technology.”
With that, Estre turned and retreated to her room.
Her mother had too much time on her hands. When idle, she’d find ways to meddle, matchmaking for
Estre or seeking a father for Isaac. So Estre had deliberately made thement to distract her.
Now, Autumn was hooked, her matchmaking ns cast aside as her mind became preupied with
Isaac’s parentage. If Isaac truly was Jason’s child, Autumn would have to prepare to protect the boy
from the Nelsons.
But what was Estre thinking? One moment Estre suggested Isaac might be Jason’s, the next she
imed Isaac was the product of science. Who was Isaac’s father, really?
And Cole was no help either. Despite Autumn’s repeated inquiries about Isaac’s father, he always
dodged the question, insisting that no matter who the father was, Isaac was Estre’s child, their
beloved grandchild.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“What’s going on in their heads?” Autumn fumed quietly.
Father and daughter had kept the secret from Autumn because of her frequent interactions with Kristin,
not wanting to risk any slip-ups. More importantly, they didn’t want to burden Autumn with the painful
details of the past, given her delicate health.
Back in her bedroom, watching Isaac snuggle with his toy dinosaur, Estre nted a kiss on him, her
heart brimming with contentment.
Gently stroking his hair, she whispered, “Buddy today I gave your dad a chance to take care of you,”
Even if things between Jason and her wereplicated, she still wanted Isaac to feel father’s love and
grow up healthy and happy.
With Estre’s hand resting on his head, Isaac’s sleep became even more peaceful.
After reaching an agreement with Estre, Jason’s visits to the Dorvold household
09:42
became more frequent. He was there for Isaac’s studies, meals, and ytime – whenever Jason had a
moment, he’de to pick Isaac up.
Yet he still hadn’t been granted ess inside the Dorvold home. Estre didn’t extend an invite, neither
did Autumn, and Cole was still in the dark about him.
Sometimes when Estre was swamped with work, Jason would take Isaac back to the Nelson
residence. Kristin was overjoyed, treating Isaac like her own grandchild, spoiling him rotten. Amber did
the same.
Keith, although feeling uneasy, still spent some time chatting with Isaac when he arrived. Keith even
taught Isaac how to y chess. Stubborn as he was, he wouldn’t let his grievances with the adults spill
over onto the child.
One evening, as Estre was leaving thew office, the aged butler from the Dorvold estate stopped
her. “Ms. Estre.”
“Hey, how’s it going?” Estre eximed in surprise when she spotted the elderly butler at the entrance
of thew firm.
“Ms. Estre, Mr. Keith hase to see you,” the butler whispered.
Following the butler’s gaze, Estre noticed a sleek sedan parked nearby.
The butler courteously opened the rear door of the car for Estre, who gracefully ducked and slid into
the back seat.
“You’ve been back a while now, howe you haven’t stopped by for a visit?” Keith inquired, his gaze
fixed on Estre.
“I just didn’t feel right about it,” Estre admitted with a hint of embarrassment.
At Estre’s response, Keith furrowed his brow seeming at a loss for words.
Sensing Keith’s troubled thoughts, Estre didn’t wait for him to break the silence. She shed a
disarming smile and said, “Grandpa, you’re here about Jason and me, aren’t you? You want me to
leave Jason, right?”
Seeing Keith’s dilemma, Estre immediately thought of the night when Jason blocked her at the
Dorvold family’s door, pleading with her to trust him no matter what anyone else said.
So now, it was likely that Keith hade for that very reason. And given Keith’s character, she knew
he would never ept Isaac or her now that she had a child. The Nelson family’s reputation was at
stake, and Keith’s even more so.
Estreid it all bare, and with a heavy sigh, Keith finally said, “Indeed, I came to discuss you and
Jason, but it’s not quite what you’re thinking.”