Novel Palace
Chapter 270
At six o’clock, Cole returned home to find Jason lounging comfortably in the living room with little Isaac nestled in his arms. “Hey, look who’s here.” Cole said with a jovial grin.
“Hi,” Jason greeted.
Cole didn’t wear his emotions on his face like Autumn did. The way he interacted with Jason remained the same as it was before. From the corner sofa, Estrella’s peripheral vision occasionally swept over Cole, gauging his mood with a watchful eye.
When Autumn called them to dinner, Estrella set down the Lego bricks that Isaac had been playing with and scooped up the little boy to head over, with Jason and Cole following close behind.
“Don’t be shy, Jason. Make yourself at home,” Autumn urged him warmly as she ladled soup into his bowl.
“Sure,” Jason responded nonchalantly, though he sensed Autumn’s underlying
message-that this was no longer his home and that he and Estrella were officially divorced.
Estrella shot her mother a glance, amused by how quick-witted her mother was becoming in her subtle digs at Jason.
But in reality, Autumn was just being hospitable without any hidden agendas. She usually wore her hearts on her sleeves and wouldn’t be so discreet about it.
For instance, during the jovial dinner, Autumn suddenly remarked, “You know, Jason, you and Estrella aren’t getting any younger. It’s time you both start thinking about your personal issues.”
“And Jason, your grandparents have been longing to hold a great-grandchild for years. You’d better step it up,” she added without missing a beat.
Before anyone could chime in, Autumn continued, “Estrella’s got a slight edge-after all, she’s already had a child. But girls don’t have the advantage of time, so she ought to hurry
too.”
Jason wondered if Autumn was trying to play matchmaker between him and Estrella until she whipped out a stack of photographs, enthusiastically suggesting, “Jason, you and Estrella grew up together, so you surely know what kind of guy suits her. Help me out and pick someone you think would be a good match for her, and I’ll arrange for them to meet.” Autumn’s words nearly caused Jason to spray soup across the table, while Cole beside him choked on his food. Estrella barely stifled her laughter. Today, her mother was on fire.
As Jason eyed the photographs handed to him his expression was priceless. When did
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his mother-in-law become so cunning?
Autumn nudged the photos towards him again “Help Estrella choose someone suitable,” she persisted.
Jason was taken aback. He stared at Autumn for a long moment before reluctantly accepting the proffered photographs.
Autumn’s face lit up with a smile, “The basic info is on the back. Take a good look, Jason. If this works out, I’ll have Estrella buy you a pair of shoes.” In Autumn’s hometown, it was customary to gift shoes to a successful matchmaker.
Jason casually hummed in acknowledgment as he flipped through the photos.
Cole’s expression darkened, “Let’s focus on eating. Why do you bring this up now?”
Autumn justified herself, “Jason doesn’t visit often. I’m just asking for a little help.” Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Estrella gave her mother a covert thumbs-up, which Jason caught out of the corner of his eye, prompting him to give her a look that indicated he would settle the score with her later.
After examining the photos, Jason calmly spread them out on the dining table and looked
at Autumn, “I think Estrella and I are the best match.”
With that declaration, Jason laid his feelings for Estrella on the table, despite previously agreeing not to interfere with her dating facade.
Autumn’s smile froze, utterly blindsided by Jason’s audacity.
Estrella and Isaac exchanged amused glances Isaac’s giggles broke through the tension finding the adult conversation quite entertaining.
“You little goof, just eat,” Cole directed Isaac, who obediently scooped up a mouthful of fluffy white rice.
The dinner theatrics came to a close with Isaac’s innocent chant, “Eat food, eat food.”
Post-meal, as Isaac tugged Jason to play in his room, Estrella teased, “Why didn’t you pick
one out for me?”
Jason’s confidence was unwavering as he replied, “Once you’ve had me, you won’t be interested in anyone else.”
Estrella laughed, both amused and exasperated, “How can you be so sure of yourself?”
His ego unchecked by her disbelief, Jason was about to lean in for a kiss when he sensed an intense gaze of longing from the sidelines. Glancing down, he found Isaac clutching his piggy bank, his eyes fixed on Jason and Estrella with a mournful expression.
Remembering the hospital incident where a kiss had sparked Isaac’s jealousy, Jason was about to release Estrella when she unexpectedly tiptoed up and kissed him.
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At their feet, Isaac first froze, then with a clatter, he discarded the piggy bank he was holding and let out a piercing scream. Isaac then wrapped his arms around his head and began to race around the room like a whirlwind.
Uncle Jason and Mom had kissed again, and he hadn’t gotten a kiss from Mom today.
Isaac’s rampage gave Jason a headache, and when he turned to Estrella, she was still chuckling. Was she really Isaac’s mom?
After several frenzied laps around the room, Isaac stopped at Jason’s feet, hugging his legs and bumping his little head against them.
Jason quickly covered Isaac’s forehead, “Silly goose, you’re the one who’s going to hurt, and besides, it was Mom who kissed me.”
When Jason said Estrella had kissed him, Isaac looked up into his eyes with a gaze filled with such sorrow. Then, turning to Estrella, Isaac’s gazes became incredibly complicated.
How could his Ella kiss someone else?
The more hurt Isaac felt, the more joyfully Estrella laughed. Finally, she scooped Isaac up and planted two firm kisses on his face. Only then did Isaac feel a bit of solace and
comfort.
With Isaac clinging to her arms, Estrella turned to Jason and said, “Isaac’s jealousy is just like yours.”
As Estrella’s words fell, Jason fixed his gaze on her, his eyes bright and spirited