Isaac nodded eagerly at Autumn.
Autumn glanced upstairs and said, “If you want a little sister, you can’t disturb Mom and Dad. They need to talk to her, to convince her to join our family.”
Hearing this, Isaac quickly got up from Autumn’s lap, saying, “I’ll go help them persuade her.”
“Nope,” Autumn said, grabbing Isaac before he could dash off. “Too many people might scare her. You nap with Grandma, and by the time you wake up, she might have agreed.”
Reluctantly, Isaac nodded, “Okay! Then I’ll wait for my sister.”
Reassured, Autumn settled down with him to watch some TV shows, chatting about all sorts of things until Isaac fell asleep in her arms. She then carried him back to his room.
---
Meanwhile, in Estrella’s room.
She had just entered when Jason followed right behind her.
Seeing Jason, Estrella asked, “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be playing chess with Isaac?”
Before she could finish, Jason pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
Resting his chin on her shoulder, he murmured, “Just wanted to hold you.”
Wrapped in Jason’s arms, Estrella looked up at him, thinking of the promise he made to Autumn at the dinner table. She teased, “Did you discuss it with me before making promises in front of my mom? Did I agree to remarry you?”
Trying to keep it light, Jason rubbed his face against hers, “We’ve shared a bed, now you have to take responsibility.”
Estrella couldn’t help but laugh, pushing against his chest, “Who shared whose bed, Jason?”
Wrapping his arms tighter around her waist, he whispered, “I did, and now it’s time for you to claim everything back, with interest.”
Estrella couldn’t help but pinch him on the waist.
“...”
Despite her playful resistance, Jason pulled her closer again, his chin resting on her shoulder, his voice calm and steady, “Estrella, I’ve tried letting go, giving you your freedom, but I can’t bear it. I can’t stand the thought of you being with someone else, becoming another man’s wife.”
“I need you.” He paused, then continued, “And you need me.”
If she truly didn’t love him, she wouldn’t have been with him last night; she would’ve pushed him away.
Hearing Jason’s heartfelt confession, Estrella wrapped her arms around him, gently stroking his back.
As Jason continued, “I stayed away these past years, not fully understanding Keith’s limits, scared he might hurt you. That’s why I hesitated to express my feelings. But now, I’ve got a clearer picture.”
“I want you, no matter what. I’ll protect you. I never once thought of letting go because of our parents’ past.”
If they couldn’t be together, both would be unhappy. Better to face everything together.
He believed in himself, and in Estrella.
The room, half-lit by the drawn curtains, carried a hint of spring drowsiness.
As Estrella gently stroked Jason’s back, understanding all, the misunderstandings about the fire cleared, their barriers dissolved.
He had even considered extreme measures for her sake.

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