Babel Novel
Chapter 255
Inside the small coin purse, besides a few coins that jingled out, the rest were still just
coins.
With a look of distaste, Estrella 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 Estrella handed back the purse. He pouted his little lips and pushed the purse back towards Estrella, 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 playful undertone. Isaac’s stubbornness really did take after him and Estrella in that respect. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Alright, alright,” Estrella 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, Estrella pocketed the coins.
They had planned 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 Estrella, “Estrella, I think Isaac and I
should do a DNA test.”
Isaac’s affection for him, and his eagerness to play with him – Jason saw it all.
As soon as Jason finished speaking, Estrella looked up at him, her voice laced with accusation, “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, Estrella 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 Estrella saw the complexity in Jason’s gaze, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Avoiding his eyes, Estrella was about to leave when Jason reached out, tilting her chin up, “Feeling guilty?”
Estrella laughed 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 considered coming 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 Estrella 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 Estrella, she commented, “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.”
Estrella smiled, “Yeah, Isaac does like Jason.”
Outside, Jason lingered below for a while until he saw the curtains of Estrella’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 playing 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 Estrella’s place.
Nibbling on snacks, Bryce asked Estrella, “Ella, 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 Estrella a couple of times, but Jason was always around, so they hadn’t spoken in detail.
Estrella looked at Bryce indifferently. “Maybe started it?”
“What?” Both Bryce and Jesse were stunned.
After Estrella explained the situation, there was a moment of silence, and then Jesse was the first to speak, “I may have said something to Estrella out of anger, but I never laid a finger on anything.”
Bryce let out a laugh 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 Estrella, he wasn’t certain.
Jesse stared at Estrella, who appeared calm, and mused, “Serene is almost ruled out, and Holly nearly lost her life. So what’s the story with that fire?”
Estrella 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, Estrella 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 Ella, don’t tell Serene for now, I worry she won’t believe you and might do something rash.”
Estrella 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 Estrella, 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’d come 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 we last touched base.”
The day before, Jason had been snapped hanging out at the amusement park with Estrella and Isaac, and the photos ended up plastered all over the internet. Estrella, 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 related snaps and chatter pulled down at a price.
Truth be told, gossip or no gossip, Holly was aware that Jason and Estrella had been in
contact.
After a dragging silence, Jason cut to the chase, “You got something on your mind?”