Chapter 253

"For fear of it becoming a habit," Grace said, somewhat embarrassed. "Some things become habitual after repeated occurrences. When you can no longer rely on that, they become despair instead."

"Why, were you desperate before?" he asked casually.

She took a deep breath, looked into his eyes, and finally stopped hiding. "Yes, I was."

His pupils constricted slightly. The faint smile on his face faded.

"Can you leave now? I want to change," Grace said.

However, Jason didn't move. His dark eyes remained fixed on her, his fingers stroking her cheek thoughtfully.

After a moment, he muttered, "Will you be afraid if I say it's already a habit, and it'll never change?"

Grace stared at his face, speechless. Her heart pounded violently.

In the dressing room, Grace blushed as she changed. Though Jason had left, she felt his touch lingering on her face.

She hadn't answered his question. If it had become a habit, it would always be so… What did he mean? Would he always protect her?

A man like him wouldn't lie; he genuinely meant what he said.

But what about the future? Who knew? He was unpredictable.

'It's better not to have any habits,' Grace thought.

Jason stood by the dressing room door, his gaze downcast and thoughtful. His bodyguards stood behind him.

Suddenly, a bodyguard shivered, glancing to his left. He saw someone approaching.

The bodyguard recognized the man: Brian, the crown prince of the entertainment industry and a friend of Jason Reed. He remained motionless.

Brian approached Jason. "Did you come here today to defend her?"

Jason slowly raised his head, smirking. "So what if I did? What a coincidence."

Coincidence? Brian smiled faintly. Knowing Jason was there, he'd guessed Grace would be, too. He'd hurried over to see what transpired.

He'd witnessed a compelling scene. Jason likely guessed Brian's presence wasn't accidental.

"I don't care if you're here by coincidence or not, but she's off-limits. She's mine," Jason said lazily. His expression was indifferent, yet his eyes held a seriousness.

"Do you care that much about this woman?" Brian asked flatly.

"Yes, I do," Jason confessed, surprising his bodyguard. He'd never heard Young Master Reed express such care before, not even for Jennifer Atkinson, his former fiancée.

Brian's eyes widened slightly. Knowing Jason for years, he knew how rare it was to hear him admit to caring about anyone.