Chapter 43

After a brief exchange, she hung up, grabbed her car keys, and headed out the door in at hurry.

Jason had just parked his car downstairs in Serene’s old apartment when she emerged with something in a bag.

“Jason!” Spotting him, Serene scampered over

Jason glanced at the ajar car door. “The bag’s inside,”

Bending down, Serene retrieved the bag and then shut the car door. “Vincent’s buried in homework, and Mom’s been pretty stable lately,” she said.

Jason just nodded, noncommittal.

Serene carried the bag over her shoulder. When she looked up at him, her eyes were shining with unspoken words. Jason, with his hands buried in his pockets, spoke with a calm edge, “With the family situation under control, maybe it’s time you started thinking about your own life, huh?”

Serene let out a sigh of resignation. “Vincent’s still a little guy, and Mom’s just stable for now. I don’t have the energy to entertain any personal distractions.”

Then, with a start, she added, “Jason, don’t get it twisted. My being single has nothing to do with you! Don’t you dare feel pressured on my account. I’ve got my own plans,

my own

life.”

As she rattled off her explanation, her words tumbled out faster. Despite her denial, she couldn’t fool herself. She had fallen for Jason. From the moment she laid eyes on him, he had her heart. She feared if she wasn’t single, she’d lose even the right to like him.

Jason just said, “I’m not overthinking it.”

Relieved, Serene handed him the bag. “These are homemade dumplings Vincent and I whipped up. You and Estrella should give them a try.”

Jason shrugged. “We don’t cook.”

Undeterred, Serene grabbed his hand and pressed the dumplings into his palm. “Just take them. Have Marie boil them or something.”

her shoulder and added, “Vincent made me promise to give these to you. They’re fresh out of the oven.”

turned and placed the pie in

smiled. “It’s getting late, Jason. You should head

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Chapter 43

my

“No problem.”

W

car vanish into the night, Serene turned and walked

*++

as she stepped out, Bryce

a hug. “I’ve finally made it back

back in the middle of

unhealthy complexion, had it not been for his voice, Estrella

off. “It’s all my brother’s doing. Can you believe it? After I got everything sorted for him, after

“Estrella, my parents don’t know I’m back. I don’t even know how I got my hands on a train ticket. I only trust you and Jesse. Please, don’t betray

you’re planning on staying

would I go? I’ve been exiled because of you.”

yourself up

“This car? When have I ever settled for anything less than a million-dollar? You want to shake up my world even

a slow train, but now you’re

Estrella’s tough tone, Bryce

but since her identity was a secret at

almost bringing back the old Bryce, finally agreed to take

Estrella

Estrella not to sell him out before asking, “Estrella,

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