Chapter 406

Esther experienced the luxury of having the whole mini market to herself for the first time in her life.

“Mr. Sanderson, any dietary restrictions?” Esther asked as they strolled through the spacious. store with a wide array of goods. The enthusiastic staff continued their usual practice of shouting out promotions.

“I’m not picky.”

When Esther saw live shrimps in the water tank, she suggested, “How about we make ravioli with fresh shrimps?”

“Sure.”

Esther pushed the shopping cart, meticulously picking up a bag of flour and selecting fresh shrimp one by one. She appeared so focused that one might mistake it for a serious study.

Jacob’s expression remained indifferent, yet not a hint of impatience was visible.

While choosing the live shrimps, Esther glimpsed Jacob, feeling an inexplicable heartache for him.

Under the lights, he exuded a sense of loneliness, as if he didn’t belong to this world.

“Mr. Sanderson, can you help me pick the shrimps?” she asked.

Jacob did not refuse and stepped forward coldly to help pick the fresh shrimps.

“Mr. Sanderson, should we make shrimp and meat ravioli? Or should we make pure shrimp ones?

Should we add some sweet corn inside?

“Mr. Sanderson, do you like seaweed or vegetables?”

“Mr. Sanderson…”

Upon being repeatedly called by Esther, Jacob responded coldly. “You can call me Jacob.”

“Can I?” Esther’s bright eyes were like a sparkling galaxy.

“Yes.”

As they shopped at the mini market, Esther bought plenty of vegetables, fruits, and snacks she thought a child Jacob’s age might like.

“Jacob, I’ll pay for everything later, okay?”

Jacob, a favored child, rarely bought things for himself or dealt with the concept of payment. Whenever he wanted something, he simply took it, and his bodyguards would handle the payment for him.

“I’ll pay,” Jacob said.

Esther wanted to pat Jacob’s head affectionately but felt it might be inappropriate. Instead, she lightly patted his arm and smiled. “You’re still a child. Let the adult handle the payment.”

The cashier scanned and checked out all the items in Esther’s shopping cart. Esther then paid with her card.

Esther tried to put aside her mental barriers and opened up. “I drew some designs earlier and earned some money. After my release from prison, I felt like my life was over. I harbored hatred because of a man who didn’t love me, leaving me battered and bruised. But later, I realized it wasn’t worth it.”

Jacob listened silently, taking his time to respond.

Just when Esther wondered whether he was disinterested, he asked abruptly, “Would you stay with a man you don’t love for the sake of your child?”

“No,” Esther replied without hesitation. “I’m my own person first, then my child’s mother, and someone’s wife. Staying in an unhappy relationship wouldn’t provide my child with the love and support they deserve. My son would want me to be happy every day.”

“You’re right,” Jacob agreed.

Esther took a few steps carrying two heavy shopping bags before the bodyguards stepped forward to take the items from her hands.

As Esther and Jacob returned to the car, the neon lights of the mini market were turned off, and the sales staff ended their work.

Glancing at the store’s closed doors out of the car window, Esther thought the world of the wealthy was simply unbelievable.

“How did you lose her?”

Jacob’s sudden question made Esther feel a pinch in her nose, and her voice trembled slightly. “I fell in love with the wrong person when I was young.”