Chapter 225
Jason, as Drew turned to look at him, the door to the hospital room suddenly swung open by Bryce’s assistant.
At the sight of Jason and Drew just standing at the doorway, the assistant was momentarily taken aback before offering a respectful greeting, “Mr. Jason.”
Jason gave the assistant a brief glance, nonchalant as he entered the room.
Upon Jason’s arrival, Bryce greeted him with a composed nod, “Hey.”
Bracing herself up in bed with both hands, Estrella said, “It’s just a minor fracture. You don’t have to come. You’re making it seem like I’m at death’s door.”
Drew chimed in carefully, “Ms. Estrella, Mr. Jason is really concerned about you. He rushed here right after his flight landed, even canceling a very important meeting.”
After Drew spoke, Bryce shot him a glance. So, was Drew playing spokesman for Jason?
Jason paid no mind to their insinuations, merely walking up to Estrella’s bedside, looking down at her, “What happened?”
Estrella looked up at him briefly, “Just work stuff.”
Ever since that slap, Estrella rarely confided in Jason as before. She no longer shared everything with him like she used to.
Hands still in his pockets, Jason just stood there, gazing down at Estrella. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hospital room grew somber.
Estrella, noticing the mood, was about to send them both away when the room door was opened again.
Inside, the three turned to look as Jesse entered, carrying Isaac in her arms.
At the entrance, Jesse’s face, which was full of smiles just a moment ago, suddenly changed when she saw Jason here. With a slicked-back haircut, a few strands falling over her forehead, and Isaac cradled in one arm, Jesse looked cooler than ever.
After scanning the room and sensing the subdued atmosphere, Jesse entered with Isaac in her arms and said,”Yo! Both Nelsons are here.” Then she turned to Estrella, “Isaac wanted to see his mom, so I brought him over. Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.
As soon as Jesse finished speaking, Isaac beamed at Estrella with a bright “Mommy!” His eyes squinting with joy, Isaac was the spitting image of Estrella as a child. He wore a khaki lightweight puffer jacket and a cute hat with bear ears on top.
Seeing Isaac, Estrella’s face lit up, “Isaac came to see mommy, huh? I’m fine, I’ll be home in a couple of days to be with you.”
09.37
As Estrella reached out to embrace Isaac, Bryce intervened. He cautioned, “Mommy’s leg hurts, Isaac, be careful. Don’t hug her.”
Isaac quickly retracted his arms, his big eyes gazing at Estrella with concern. Estrella noticed Isaac’s dampened spirits and reassured him, “Sweetie, I’m okay. Just bumped myself.”
Isaac saw the cast on her leg and leaned forward to tenderly blow on it to soothe the pain. Estrella’s heart warmed at his gesture. Her son was truly a blessing.
Jason stood aside, watching the maternal love in Estrella’s eyes and Isaac’s endearing actions, feeling a sense of warmth himself. He used to never find children adorable, but now, Estrella’s son seemed irresistibly cute, making him want to hold the little guy.
1
And looking at Isaac now, he thought the child had grown so much in just a month. Last time the child seemed barely two, and now he looked every bit a toddler over that age.
Hands still in his pockets, Jason observed the trio and Isaac, his expression darkening. They seemed to be hiding something significant.
Watching Isaac’s enthusiastic blowing, Bryce reached out to scoop him from Jesse’s arms, casually saying, “Son, call daddy.”
At Bryce’s words, Jason’s expression darkened significantly. Where did Bryce get the nerve to have Estrella’s child call him daddy?
With a dark look, Jason observed Bryce, convinced that Isaac would likely ignore Bryce, and wouldn’t let Bryce hold him. However, to his surprise, Isaac didn’t just let Bryce hold him. He sweetly called him “Daddy.”
This endearing address from Isaac caught Jason off guard, almost compelling him to leave the scene. How had this little boy, who had been extremely cautious and terrified the last time he saw him, suddenly become so close to Bryce?
Jason was evidently unhappy. And it didn’t matter that Bryce was his cousin.
Turning to look at Jason, Bryce felt a surge of enjoyment seeing his bad temper. Jason deserved this for taking Estrella for granted in the past.
Having toyed with Isaac for a while, Bryce suddenly acknowledged Jason’s presence in the room. Holding Isaac closer, he coaxed him to say “Uncle.”
Bryce’s words were followed by a bout of laughter from Jesse. On the other side, Jason glared icily at Bryce, as if his penetrating gaze could pierce him.
Estrella was fed up with their antics and said, “Alright, both of you head back. Jesse’s here to keep me company.”
Upon hearing Estrella’s words, Jesse reached for Isaac, who in his adorable voice managed to say a sweet “uncle” to Jason.
08.37
Jesse’s “uncle” made Jason’s heart flutter, and a strange pang of sorrow struck him in the chest. He couldn’t quite describe the feeling, and staring at Isaac in front of him, he often found himself reminiscing about the good times he and Estrella used to have. Back then, she always had a cheerful expression as she followed him around.
Suppressing a breath and swallowing hard, Jason pulled his hand from his pocket and gently ruffled Isaac’s hair.
Then Jesse, noticing Isaac’s curiosity, asked, “Isaac, you’ve greeted everyone. What about me?”
Isaac, with a silly grin, then declared, “Daddy.”
Isaac’s call of “daddy” suddenly smoothed over Jason’s previously deflated mood. He then cast a disapproving look at Estrella. “The kid really takes after her, just as silly as she was when she was little.” Jason thought to himself.
Jesse couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, look who’s the smart one now. Today you’re not calling me ‘Jesse,’ are you, Isaac?”
Isaac tilted his head back, imitating her expression, and burst into laughter.
Estrella, witnessing the whole scene, turned to Bryce and Jason and said, “Alright, you two go get busy with your things.”
Bryce turned to Jason with a roguish grin and said, “Mr. Jason, shall we? I’ve got a few things to run by you.”
Jason’s gaze lingered on Estrella and Isaac for a moment before he bid farewell to Estrella and then left with Bryce.
As the brothers walked side by side down the hallway, immersed in a discussion about work, Jason suddenly turned to Bryce and asked, “Is Isaac my son?”