30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband novel Chapter 331

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, everyone gathered in the backyard to set off fireworks. Autumn took this moment to call Estrella.

"Estrella, your dad wants me to remind you: you need to come home and sleep on the first day of the New Year. No staying out overnight," she said.

Estrella, holding a sparkler, replied, "I'll bring Isaac back in a bit."

After the fireworks show, everyone went their separate ways. Estrella headed home with Isaac, and Jason tagged along. By the time they arrived, Isaac was already fast asleep.

Earlier that afternoon, Estrella had bathed Isaac and put him in fresh clothes. Now, she gently undressed him and laid him in his little bed beside theirs.

While Jason freshened up, Estrella remembered her earlier conversation with Kristin and decided to talk to her parents, Cole and Autumn.

Inside, Autumn noticed Jason had come back with Estrella and Isaac and, knowing that Isaac was Jason's son, she said, "Cole, maybe it's time you let Estrella and Jason get back together. Stop making it so hard for them."

"Since Estrella came back, Jason has really stepped up. He's been great with Isaac. I think you've tested them enough."

Women often have softer hearts, and seeing Jason save Estrella and dedicate everything to her, Autumn felt genuinely moved and thought reconciliation was on the horizon.

Cole, however, remained stoic. "Estrella hasn't been back long. Why the rush? I'm not worried, so why are you?"

Autumn retorted, "It's just hard to watch them struggle, especially seeing Bryce and Jesse get married while these two are still stuck here because of you."

Cole shrugged, "Struggle? How exactly are they struggling? They're happier than I am. And what exactly am I holding them back from? If I were, would I let Jason through the door?"

"I've said it before; they can live together if they want. Estrella even has a child now. Why the urgency to get married? Is it because she can't afford to raise a child?"

Usually a man of few words, Cole found himself speaking up more today, especially since Autumn seemed to side with Jason.

He had been through a lot with Estrella and faced many challenges together, so he was especially protective, not wanting her to be constrained by marriage again or to suffer any more than she already had. Though the likelihood seemed slim, the memories of the past few years still pained him.

Seeing Cole unmoved, Autumn, with furrowed brows, exclaimed, "Why are you so stubborn? Why won't you listen?"

Cole, trying to change the subject for the New Year's sake, said, "Let's not talk about this now. I'm not in a hurry for Estrella to get married, and I'm certainly not going to pressure her just because Bryce and Jesse are married."

In his heart, Cole knew his daughter was strong and independent. Any other girl might have been broken by such a marriage years ago.

To prevent Autumn from bringing it up again, Cole added, "My daughter is my concern, and I have plans for her."

This comment didn't sit well with Autumn, who stared at him for a long while before her eyes reddened. "Cole, what are you trying to say? Is Estrella only your daughter and not mine?"

Seeing Autumn's emotional state, Cole quickly shifted his tone. "I just don't want to rush to marry off Estrella. I want her to stay with us a bit longer."

Autumn, however, was too upset to listen. Her tears stopped abruptly as she wiped her face.

With that, Autumn softly muttered, "I just don't want them to be seen as illegitimate. I want them to be recognized officially."

Raised by her grandmother, who had lived through more conservative times, Autumn's beliefs were somewhat traditional, leading her to desire everything to be proper and official.

Jason tried to console his mother. "Mom, Estrella and I's relationship doesn't solely depend on a piece of paper. So, don't worry. We'll live a good life together."

Jason's words seemed to strike a chord with Cole, who managed to keep a straight face as he said, "I'm not saying I won't consider it."

Cole showed a hint of vulnerability, and Jason couldn't help but chuckle.

Noticing this, Cole asked, "Estrella, were you looking for me and your mom?"

Had it not been for Jason's sudden interjection, he might not have even noticed her standing at the doorway.

Responding to Cole's question, Estrella said, "Jason's mom mentioned she'd come over on the second day of the holiday. Just wanted to give you and mom a heads-up."

Cole acknowledged, "Got it." Then added, "It's getting late. Let's all head to bed."

"Okay." Following Cole's suggestion, as Estrella and Jason headed back to their rooms, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her parents' vibe earlier, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.