Chapter 358
Camilla could never stand cilantro, so whenever Lance cooked, he left it out. She only found out Lance actually loved the stuff—especially cilantro beef—thanks to a casual comment from Jasper. That was when Camilla realized she didn’t really know everything about him, and for the first time, she learned to make the dish, just for him.
When Lance spotted the cilantro beef on the dinner table, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. He met Camilla’s eyes, and they shared a quick smile. Neither said anything about it, but the moment felt warm, full of a new, quiet understanding between them.
Lance had barely settled into his chair when he noticed Jasper fidgeting with his chopsticks. After a short, awkward pause, Jasper reached out and placed some beef on Lance’s plate, mumbling in a voice so small it was almost lost in the hum of dinnertime, “Thanks for everything, Dad p>
The table went completely silent. Everyone stared, processing what they’d just heard, but Lance looked the most shocked. “Wait, what did you call me? Since when did you start pulling this kind of stunt, huh?” He blinked at Jasper, not sure if he was hearing things.
Lance had tried every trick—some obvious, some sly—to get Jasper to call him dad, but the kid never gave in. More often than not, it was him calling Jasper “son,” just to tease him.
Jasper’s ears were pink, and he spoke even more stiffly, refusing to meet Lance’s eyes. “You’re always talking about keeping up appearances. You said that in front of everyone, so I can’t just let you look bad, right p>
The little guy pursed his lips and glanced up at Lance now and then, as if he was checking to see if he’d messed up.
A moment later, maybe realizing his words had come out too blunt, Jasper added, even softer, “You’re actually really nice to me, and you seem to really care about my mom, too. Having you as my dad isn’t so bad for me p>
Lance grinned, his eyes lighting up. “Of course it’s not a bad deal. Being my son is the best thing that could happen to you. With you calling me ‘Dad,’ you could ask for the moon and I’d try to get it for you.” He scooped Jasper up in his arms without warning, voice full of pride and excitement.
He hoisted Jasper higher and higher, as if announcing to the world that his kid was one of a kind.
Jasper had never been held that high before. Lance’s arms held him steady, and for a second, Jasper was overwhelmed by this strange, dizzying affection.
His cheeks turned even redder and he tensed up, squirming a little. “What are you doing? Put me down… And who would want the moon anyway? You’re so childish. Just be good to my mom, okay p>
Lance just laughed at that, no sign of taking offense.
Between bites, Camilla couldn’t help noticing how hard Lance was trying to win Jasper over, putting food on his plate at every chance. Jasper kept acting unimpressed, but he scooted his chair inch by inch closer to Lance, their conversation picking up a comfortable, easy rhythm that left no room for anyone else to cut in.
As the two of them dove into making plans to visit the amusement park, Camilla almost felt invisible. Jasper only seemed to remember her once everything was decided. “Mom, we haven’t had a day out together in ages. Will you come with us tomorrow p>
There wasn’t much going on at work, so there was no reason to say no. Besides, seeing Jasper’s hopeful look, she couldn’t have refused even if she tried. So, she agreed right away.
The next morning, Camilla woke to the sound of Lance bustling around downstairs. He was already packing for their trip, checking and double-checking everything: snacks, water bottles, all of Jasper’s odds and ends.
Since they’d moved to Laguna Shores, it was usually Lance managing everything at home. He knew exactly where Jasper’s things were, even better than Camilla did sometimes.
Watching Lance move so confidently, Camilla found herself feeling a little guilty. She wondered if she was falling short as a mom.
Jasper soon wandered out, rubbing his eyes, not quite fully awake yet. “Dad, Mom, are we leaving now p>
Even though Lance had already teased Jasper into saying “Dad” a couple more times before bed last night, hearing it come out so naturally in the morning made his heart melt all over again. “We’re not in a rush. Go wash up with your mom, then we’ll eat breakfast and head out p>
Since it was the weekend, the amusement park was packed, full of families and laughter echoing everywhere.
Jasper clung to Camilla’s hand with his left, Lance’s with his right, walking tall and proud. His whole face glowed. Times when they’d passed the amusement park before, he always watched the kids with their parents and wished, just once, that Barnard would take him. But Barnard always said no—or worse, scolded him for asking. The only time he even sort of agreed, he’d brought Daisy instead.
Lance had taken Jasper to the amusement park once, but something still felt incomplete back then.
Now it felt different. Now, for the first time, Jasper was one of those lucky kids, hands in both his parents’ grip, ready for a day of fun.
He finally had a dad of his own, and this dad was someone who paid attention, someone who never made him feel forgotten.
Not like…
Lost in his memories, Jasper suddenly stopped in his tracks. He stared ahead, eyes wide. Letting go of Lance’s hand, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Why did it look like he was seeing his old, bad dad right over there?