6 #I do care

Days passed of me living here in Jason’s house as his wife, and nothing changed. Jason hates me and ignores me as much as he can. The one time I can see him is when I’m Aria or when we run into each other in our own way by default. The thing is, even after living with each other under the same roof for so many days, we are still strangers. Jason doesn’t come or sleep in his bedroom because of me. Jason even moved his things into the bedrooms across from Aria, and his, only to stay away from me.

Why does he hate me so much that he can’t even stay near to me? And if staying away is what he wanted, then why does he marry me? All this question is giving me a headache only by thinking about it. Darn you, Jason Gray, I hate you.

Aria is the only person who makes me feel alive here, even though she can only say a word, that’s ‘Daddy.’

But if I want to chat or share my thoughts with someone, I have Mrs. Clinton, who is the most cheerful person in this household, with whom I can share my thoughts and feelings. Mrs. Clinton is someone who neither judges me nor stops me.

I basically started spending every hour of my day with Aria or Mrs. Clinton or talking to my dad for hours on the phone. And that’s how I spend a day of my life, talking, chatting, playing, cooking in the kitchen, if not bored. And honestly, it’s my choice to live like this, but it’s Jason who locked me in his house, not allowing me to get out. Or if I say it like him, with angry eyes and stern appearance, ‘ You…Kiera is not allowed to step out of this house without my permission,.... not even to meet your father.’ and the words of Jason Gray, not mine. If I ever get a chance, I will kick his ass so hard that he won't be able to sit for months.

Aria pulled on my shirt’s sleeve, deflecting my attention towards her. Since it’s Sunday and Ms. Clinton has her day off, I decided to make pancakes for breakfast. So here I’m in the kitchen making some blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

“You want some sweetheart,” I asked Aria, and she nodded her head at my words, giggling sweetly. As I flipped the pancakes, Aria's laughter filled the air, bringing a sense of joy to the morning. The aroma of blueberries and butter wafted through the kitchen, creating an enticing atmosphere.

I can't help but smile at her cute little face as I serve her some pancakes. She eagerly took a bite, her eyes lighting up with delight. The taste of the fluffy pancakes mixed with the burst of blueberries seemed to make her morning even more special.

“Good Morning, darling.” Jason greeted Aria, walking down the stairs in the kitchen wearing nothing but sweatpants, topless coming from his home gym with his body covered in sweat showing off his rugged body and toned muscles. Tiny droplets of sweat roll slowly, trickling down from his chest to his abs, glistening in the morning light.

I shook my head, controlling my emotions, looking anywhere but at Jason. He just needs a chance to show off her prominent figure.

“I’m making some pancakes; you want some,” I don't know why the hell have bothered to ask me but I did for some reason.

Jason nodded at my question and sat beside Aria on the stool next to the kitchen table. And although he ignores me every time he has a chance, like today when Jason doesn’t have the demeanor to say ‘Hello.’ But he is okay to eat whatever I’ve cooked. Who cares?

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. It was clear that Jason's attention was solely focused on Aria, and my presence seemed to be nothing more than an afterthought. But deep down, I couldn't help but wonder why I continued to make an effort for someone who consistently overlooked me.

As I was making some hot pancakes for him, I sensed someone was staring at me. For a second, I thought so, Aria, but I looked up, and it surprised me to see Jason’s eyes staring at me with a mixture of longing and curiosity. I felt a sudden rush of emotions, unsure of how to react.

“Daddy,” Aria called Jason, reaching out to Jason with a little piece of pancake in her hand for Jason to eat. Jason, being the darling daddy, picked Aria up by putting her on his lap. Eat the pancake from her hand, lightly nibbling her index finger in between his lips, making her laugh loudly. The playful interaction between Jason and Aria brought a smile to my face. It was heartwarming to see their bond and the joy they shared in that moment.

Looking at them this way, happy with each other, I feel like a stranger here interrupting the family bonding. I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for that kind of connection in my own life. As I watched them, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever find a love and bond as strong as theirs.

I can't help but smile seeing them bond like this, admiring the father-daughter duo, and in a mist of cuteness, I forgot that I left the pancake cooking on the pan and it started burning, and just as I grabbed the handle of the pan to move it away from the fire, My hand started throbbing in pain as the pan fell loudly to the floor.

Shit!! How stupid am I to have forgotten that this damn pan doesn’t have a heat-shield handle?

As my hand is throbbing in pain, in that moment I feel hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me towards the kitchen sink, and pouring some ice-cold water over my burning hands. “Are you fucking, stupid, or what?” Jason angrily responded as he took me towards the kitchen sink pouring some icy water from the freezer over my burned hand, making it hurt less than before. I wince as the cold water soothes the searing pain, grateful for Jason's quick thinking.

That’s the first time I have seen Jason being worried for me and helping. “Does it hurt? Do you want me to call the doctor for you,” he asked, his tone softer now.

I shook my head, appreciating his concern but knowing that the pain would subside with time. “I’m fine, just a little burn,”

“Are you sure no you're not staying here? I will go and call the doctor for you?” Jason said, picking up his phone to call.

“Jason, I’m fine. It’s just a minor burn. I will be fine in a few days.” I tried assuring him. “ And aren’t you overreacting a bit? It’s not you who cares for me or anything?”

Jason silently stares at me with his face neutral, showing no emotions, but I could sense the worry in his eyes. “You’re wrong, I do care,” I guess I heard him mumble, before leaving, without giving a second look.

Wait, did I hear him right, or is it just me making hallucinations? Nope, Jason will never say something like this to me. I brush off the thought, convincing myself that I must have misheard him. Jason has always been distant and aloof, never being one to openly express his feelings.