Chapter 2428

The note was old, the handwriting clearly from Jason's school days.

So, that note had been tucked away in there for ages.

Sophia's heart skipped a beat, she quickly refolded the note and placed it back, setting the picture frame in its original spot.

Yet, her chest still felt warm, as if she had stumbled upon a secret, even though she already knew what it said.

Soon, Jason emerged, dressed in dark loungewear, asking Sophia, "Want something to drink? It's gotta be something warm, ginger tea or milk?"

Sophia pretended she hadn't seen a thing, "I don't feel like drinking. Where's the stuff my mom sent with you? I can't find it."

Jason crossed his arms, leaning against the door frame, his gaze soft but piercing, "There wasn't anything. Just a message for you."

Sophia's eyes widened slightly, "What message?"

Jason stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow and dimming the light around, his eyes darkening, "Mrs. Jasmine told me to tell you to cherish me, to not break my heart anymore!"

Sophia stumbled backward, leaning against the desk.

Jason advanced, hands bracing on the desk, nearly enveloping her in his embrace, his dark, moist eyes fixated on her, "Can you do that?"

Sophia leaned back, her mind racing back to the note, her cheeks flushing, eyes darting, "Didn't we clear things up today?"

Jason leaned in, his lips almost touching her forehead, "What did we clear up?”

Sophia's voice trembled involuntarily, "You said you didn't want love out of pity, said you'd give me time to think."

"And how long do you need to think?" Jason's gaze was intense.

Too close. His breath on her face sent chills down her spine. Sophia, avoiding his gaze, murmured, "I don't know."

"Another ten years, or twenty?" he pressed. "Just give me a number, I'll wait."

Sophia tensed up, and in a moment of nervousness, blurted out, "Maybe you shouldn't wait."

Jason's brows furrowed, suddenly he lifted her chin, forcing her to look up, his tone icy, "Say that again!"

Sophia's heart pounded, seeing the pain in his eyes, she panicked, pushing him away, and hurried out.

Sophia ran out of the study, hearing Jason's coughing, she hesitated, then looked back into the room.

Jason was hunched over the desk, coughing.

"What's wrong?" Sophia turned back, frowning, "Are you sick?"

Jason looked up, his eyes red from coughing, covering his mouth with a tissue, his voice rough, "What do you think? After you left me alone in the inkraf

snow that night, do you think I'm

made of iron, immune to sickness?"

Sophia was skeptical, "It's been days!"

Jason leaned back against the desk, "Exactly, it's been days, and that's why it's gotten worse!"

After coughing again, "Cough, cough!"

"I got caught in the rain just now!" Sophia worried, "Do you have any medicine?

Take something!"

"No need for medicine!" Jason's

laugh was tinged with self-mockery, "A little sickness is nothing, doesn't compare to a fraction of the pain

you've caused me!"

Sophia felt a sting at his words, her voice choked, "You said you wouldn't pressure me, and now this!"

Jason looked up, seeing Sophia biting her lip, tears welling up, ready to spill.

Immediately feeling remorseful,

"Let's not talk about it. I'll ta 'S arms to embrace b

, okay?"

Sophia, now in his embrace, asked, "Do you have a fever?"

"Might be a bit warm, feel my forehead," Jason suggested.

Sophia hurriedly touched his forehead, then her own, and then, with widened eyes, exclaimed, "Yours is cooler than mine!"