Chapter 229

“Did I frighten you?” he asked.

She hesitated. “I know you’re just treating me like a game. You’re interested in me now because you think it’s fun. Once your interest wanes, I’ll be worthless. If I offend you accidentally, things might be worse than they were in prison.”

She did not want a repeat of those dark, miserable days.

“Aren’t you afraid of offending me by saying that?” he asked.

Her body stiffened. Yes, she was afraid, but she’d said it anyway. Her expression betrayed her fear.

A terrible silence fell. Grace lowered her head; she could only hear her own breathing and heartbeat. Jason said nothing, but she felt his eyes on her.

Time stretched. Finally, she heard his voice. “If I say I’m not treating you as a game, will you stay with me?”

She raised her head, astonished. She hadn’t expected that.

“Will you?” His eyes remained fixed on hers.

She gave a bitter smile. “What am I supposed to do by your side? Continue to be your sister? Or your playmate? I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.”

His lips tightened, his eyes grew cold. The word “wife” was stuck in his throat. He could marry her if she asked, but had he ever needed to ask a woman to be his wife?

He offered a faint smile, then slowly bent down, gently brushing her cheek. “Since ‘Sis’ has spoken, let’s see who’s more patient. Will I give up on keeping you, or will you beg to stay?”

Grace’s breath hitched; her body trembled as he leaned closer. He was so unpredictable—one moment angry, the next calm as a summer’s day.

Having said that, Jason walked to the table, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

Relief washed over Grace, but another cold sweat broke out on her back and palms. She glimpsed him casually picking up her phone. She shuddered, trying to snatch it back, but it was too late. He’d already seen its contents.

Jason raised an eyebrow, looking at Grace with a half-smile. “Why, are you searching for news about me? If you have questions, you could just call me instead of searching the internet.”

She gasped. How could she explain? Could she say she’d seen an influencer’s livestream and, out of curiosity, searched for related content?

“The party you attended today just started when you left. Didn’t that matter?” she stammered.

“It’s just a party,” he said nonchalantly. He attended many such parties annually; sometimes he didn’t even bother.

“Sis hasn’t finished eating yet. Go on.” He glanced at her half-eaten takeout, then calmly pulled up a chair and sat down.