Chapter 599 Do You Want to Have Dinner Together?
Jesse was scratching his head, but he kept quiet. He respected Elara's choices. As for Evelyn, as long as she stayed out of Elara's way, he wouldn't get involved.
When they got home, Jesse told Elara to freshen up first. He plopped down on the couch and checked his phone, seeing a bunch of missed calls and messages.
Three were from his dad, Eugene Thornfield, and two from his mom, Rainey Ward.
The messages were from them too.
Eugene: [How dare you not tell me you got a girlfriend?]
Eugene: [Didn't I tell you to come back and check out the local girls? Marriage is a big deal, and parents should have a say. Got it?]
Eugene: [Who is she? Is she obedient?]
Jesse read these and felt nothing. He closed the chat and checked his mom's messages.
Jesse didn't remember much from his childhood, but he knew one reason Rainey left Eugene was because Eugene was too controlling, had no real skills, but had a bad temper.
Jesse got why Rainey left, but felt a bit sad she left him behind. After all, it would've been tough for her to find a new husband with a kid in tow.
Jesse sighed and opened Rainey's chat.
Rainey: [Congrats, Jesse.]
Rainey: [When you have time, how about bringing your girlfriend over for a meal?]
Jesse's fingers hovered, and he replied: [We'll see.]
He wasn't sure if he should agree. His feelings towards Rainey were complicated. She felt guilty for leaving him, so she was always super polite.
On the other hand, Rainey was also selfish. Whenever someone from her current husband's side needed a job or just graduated, she'd come to Jesse, asking for help.
The only difference between Rainey and Eugene was that Rainey's tone had a bit of negotiation and flattery, while Eugene's was all about control.
After sending the message, Rainey quickly replied: [Okay.]
Jesse frowned. It was so late, and she still wasn't asleep?
Rainey: [Are you still living alone?]
Jesse never talked much about his personal life, so he dodged the question: [You should go to bed early.]
After sending the message, he put his phone down, feeling a bit heavy-hearted.
Jesse wasn't one to worry much, but right now, he couldn't help but wonder if being with Elara was the right move. He also worried that one day, Elara might regret being with him.
After more than half an hour, Elara finished her bath and came out, drying her hair with a towel. She called out, "Jesse, help me dry my hair!"
Jesse got up and went over.
Feeling the warm air on her head, Elara looked up at him. Noticing Jesse seemed distracted, she asked, "What's up?"
"Nothing," Jesse said softly as he dried her hair, the temperature just right.
"Yeah, right," Elara knew him too well. "You don't look like it's nothing."
Jesse focused on drying her hair. Once her hair was dry, he hesitated and asked, "Do you like the old me or the current me?"
Elara looked confused.
"I don't want you to regret being with me down the road," Jesse said, always the type to share his thoughts with Elara. "If you like me just because of some stuff from our past..."
Elara flicked his forehead.
Jesse rubbed his forehead, looking a bit confused.
"I like you for who you were and who you are now," Elara said, her eyes sincere and clear. "Unless you turn into a completely different person after we get married, I won't regret it."
What mattered to Elara was Jesse himself. As long as he treated her well, she wouldn't have any regrets.
Jesse's fingers twitched, his expression complicated. "But..."
"Did someone say something to you?" Elara guessed something must've happened while she was in the shower, since Jesse didn't look like this before they got home.
Jesse hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest. "My dad's not a great guy."
Eugene was selfish, an alcoholic, neglectful of his kids, and abusive to his wife. Elara had never dealt with someone like that.
"I'm marrying you, not your dad," Elara said, seeing things clearly.
Jesse unlocked his phone and opened the chat history with Eugene, handing it over. He didn't want to hide anything from Elara.
"Can I look at your previous chats?" Elara asked cautiously.
Jesse nodded.
Elara scrolled up.
They didn't chat much, and the content was brief, so she finished reading quickly.
"Don't let this stuff get to you," Elara said, rubbing his head with a comforting smile. "Let him say whatever; don't take it to heart."
"Aren't you mad about what he said?" Jesse asked, testing the waters.
Elara shook her head. "It's not you who said it, so why should I be mad?"
She cared about Jesse's words and actions, not what others said. After all, it was her and Jesse who would be living their married life.
"What did your mom say?" Elara saw the message interface with his mom and asked, "Can I see it?"
"You can look at my phone anytime; you don't need to ask," Jesse said directly and told her about their chat. "She asked if we could have a meal together."
"Sure," Elara replied naturally after seeing it. "Your mom's tone seems way better than your dad's."
Jesse nodded, not saying much.
Elara was very perceptive. "Do you have any concerns?"
"I don't know." Jesse's thoughts were all over the place.
Jesse would've preferred if Rainey had cut off all contact after leaving when he was young, so he wouldn't have to deal with anything related to her.
But ever since he graduated from college, Rainey somehow got his contact info and started to show concern for him.
During that time, Rainey genuinely cared about Jesse, saying she had no choice back then and even apologized to him.
Jesse could be indifferent to people with a bad attitude, but he couldn't be completely cold to someone who sincerely apologized—especially since this person was his mother.
Jesse had always envied those kids who had their mother's care and love. So when Rainey found him years later and apologized, his hardened heart softened instantly.
That was why Rainey occasionally asked him to help find jobs for people on her current husband's side.
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