Chapter 2431

But she genuinely cried over Nick for three days.

After that, they never got another dog, unable to bear the heartbreak of parting.

Sophia turned to Jason, her voice tinged with melancholy, "Mentioning Nick makes me miss him all over again. After all these years, I thought you'd forgotten about Nick."

Jason softly said, "Never."

How could he forget Nick? They had raised him together.

"Do you think Nick could have been reincarnated?" Sophia's eyes sparkled with the thought. "Maybe he's a human now, around ten years old!"

Jason playfully tapped her on the head. "You and your wild imagination!"

After Nick's passing, Sophia was the most distraught. Whenever there was a birth announcement in the neighborhood, she'd rush over to see, half-hoping it was Nick reborn.

Jason, worried she was obsessing, even got her a cat to help her move on, but she refused, saying her heart only had room for Nick.

Sophia sighed, "Guess that makes me loyal."

Jason's voice deepened, "More loyal than me?"

Sophia blushed, thankful the dim light hid her flushed face.

"Why do you like me, Jason?" she asked, biting her lip.

"Do I need a reason?" Jason countered.

"Of course, you do. I liked Robin because he was honest, strong, and ambitious... Though that proved wrong, my liking him had a basis!" Sophia explained.

Jason paused before saying, "Sure, the qualities you admired in Robin could make you like anyone with them. But my love for you is simply because you're you. Despite your flaws or virtues, my love is irreplaceable."

That last word resonated with Sophia, moving her deeply. "Thank you, for loving me like that."

Under the faint light, Jason's gaze was intense. "Does my love bother you?" Sophia chuckled softly, "How could it? You've been nothing but good to me. Complaining would make me ungrateful, wouldn't it?"

Jason laughed quietly, "Silly girl!"

Unable to help herself, Sophia laughed too, then grew serious. "I'm just afraid I can't reciprocate enough."

"You don't need to reciprocate," Jason said gently. "Just being happy and letting me take care of you is enough for me."

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes as she whispered, "How could I find you bothersome? You're the closest

to me. I just worry it's not fair

"Then let's not worry," Jason said,

touching her face tenderly in the set

dark. "Let go of all burdens. Let time prove everything, and let me take care of the rest."

Sophia leaned into his hand, her eyes teary. "Okay."

She decided to trust time to show that she had moved past Robin and

that he

feelings for Jason were

more than just gratitude ando

dependency.

Jason's tender and passionate demeanor eased Sophia, allowing her to rest her head on him and close her eyes.

Soon, Sophia fell asleep.

But Jason couldn't sleep.

The girl he cherished was right there, so close yet so far, her breathing soft and her scent enveloping him, making sleep impossible.

As the night grew stiller and darker, Sophia, in her slumber, heard Jason speak,

"Sophia, sleeping in your underwear isn't good for you. Shall I help you take it off?"

"Mhm," Sophia murmured sleepily, her eyes still closed.

"Good girl, just lift your arm."