FULL NOVELXO Chapter 103
Chapter 103
The question touched a nerve, and Jason’s temper flared. “Like her? For crying out loud, Mom, cool it, will ya? No need to stir the pot.”
“Got it. Loud and clear,” Kristin conceded with a faint smile. “I’ll steer clear of her from now
on.”
But Kristin’s curiosity wasn’t sated. She prodded further, “And what about Estrella? Do you really love her, or did you marry her because of the pressure from your dad and me?”
On the other end of the line, Jason chuckled at his mother’s theatrics. “Mom, when have I ever been pushed into anything I didn’t want to?”
Kristin persisted, her voice a mix of hope and suspicion, “So you do love Estrella, right?” With Estrella nearby, Kristin was fishing for reassurance-hoping to ease both her own
mind and Estrella’s.
Jason rubbed his temples in exasperation. “Mom, I’ve got stuff to do. Gotta go.”Without directly answering Kristin, Jason simply hung up the phone.
Kristin, undeterred and beaming, turned to Estrella, “See? Just like I told you. Jason would never fancy someone like that Serene. He’s got eyes only for you.”
Kristin’s joy was palpable, and Estrella served her more food, “Mom, let’s eat.”
Kristin, mulling over the carefully chosen veggies, imparted her wisdom, “You and Jason are both too stubborn and proud to give in. If you had a kid, you’d have more common ground between you to soften the edges:”
For over two years, Kristin’s conversations always circled back to children, a topic that gave Estrella a headache every time.
Noticing Estrella’s silence as she continued eating, Kristin grew alert. “You’re not having second thoughts about having kids, are you?”
Kristin knew her son had his issues. His quirks that were all too familiar to her. Kristin’s serious gaze prompted Estrella to respond with reassurance, “I will, Kristin. I will.”
Kristin breathed a sigh of relief at Estrella’s promise. “Good, that’s settled then. Anyway, as far as I’m concerned, you’re the only daughter-in-law of the Nelson family.”
Kristin had watched Estrella grow up and had spent a lot of time with her in the past. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Estrella was like a half-daughter to Kristin. The thought of Estrella joining another family was unbearable to her.
“I’ll give you a grandchild soon,” Estrella said, half-serious, half-hoping not to tempt fate with her words.
“This soup here. It’s for Jason. Make sure he drinks it when he gets back,” Kristin
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instructed, still in mom-mode.
“Sure,” Estrella agreed!
After the meal, Kristin stayed to chat a bit more before heading home to take care of Jason’s dad, leaving Estrella to finally exhale in relief. That was one hurdle cleared for the day.
Deep in the night, as Estrella was lost in the depths of sleep, the bedroom door creaked open. Jason hung his suit jacket and loosened his tie, his eyes never straying from Estrella. He approached the bed, his hand gently brushing her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open, greeting him with a sleepy murmur, “You’re back.” Even drowsy, her temper was ever so sweet.
Jason withdrew his hand, asking softly, “Did I wake you?”
“No,” Estrella murmured back, urging him, “Go wash up and rest.”
With a nod, Jason headed to the bathroom. Moments later, he emerged, his face pale and drawn. As he gasped for air, his eyes caught Estrella’s form on the bed, and he began rummaging through the dresser for something
The room suddenly filled with light, and Estrella, now sitting up in bed, inquired, “What are you looking for?”
“Nothing,” Jason replied, trying to mask his discomfort.
Estrella noticed his pallor and approached, her touch light on his stomach. “Stomachache?”
Before Jason could answer, Estrella found the medicine in the drawer. “Looking for this?”
Estrella noticed he wasn’t feeling well, so she even found some medicine for him. Jason suddenly felt a bit touched. After more than two years of marriage, it was the first time Jason felt like she was a caring wife.
He took the medicine from her, reminding her gently, “Put on your shoes.”
The night was quiet, their whispers barely audible, yet each word resonated with an intimacy that seemed to reach deep within.
Estrella slipped on her shoes as Jason shared his night, “Had a meeting with Simon. We discussed the projects for the eleventh division.” When it came to work, he was just as serious and dedicated as Estrella.
As Jason opened up, Estrella turned to him, concern laced in her voice, “Haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
Upon hearing Estrella’s warm concern, Jason stared at her without saying a word. He indeed hadn’t eaten, and he hadn’t eaten all day today. However, in the past, there wouldn’t
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have been such conversation between him and Estrella.
Without waiting for a reply, Estrella yawned and declared, “I’ll find you something to eat.”
She descended the stairs and rummaged through the kitchen. Since she didn’t have much culinary skills, even boiling noodles seemed a challenge. Settling for simplicity, she warmed the soup Kristin had made and made some toasts for Jason.
“What’s bubbling away in the pot?” Estrella had just placed the lid on the steamer when Jason’s voice suddenly came from behind her.
Swiveling around, she found Jason’s handsome face inches from her own. She glanced at him coolly as Jason casually rested his chin on her shoulder.
Estrella didn’t push him away, her tone nonchalant, “A nourishing soup. Your mom stopped by to make it herself.”
After she spoke, Jason wrapped his arms around her waist. “Planning to keep me up all night?”
Estrella replied with a hint of mischief, “I might be, but I’m not sure you can handle it.”
Before she could finish, Jason’s fingers were on her chin, his lips sealing hers. Estrella’s hands pressed against his chest, but Jason deepened the kiss with even more fervor.
Tonight was one of those rare occasions she was thinking of him, even going so far as to rustle up something for him to eat.
Jason kissed Estrella passionately, lifting her up and placing her on the kitchen counter. He wrapped one arm around her waist while using his other hand to undress her robe, tracing her thigh.