Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2274

Sophia shrugged off her puffy jacket, revealing a pale blue shirt underneath. She looked utterly exhausted as she complained, "I guess I'm just not used to the water here or something!"

Jasmine retorted, her voice laced with mock severity, "That's asking for a smack! Complaining about not being used to the water back home? I ought to send you off to the Midwest to chill in the cold wind!"

Sophia immediately leaned closer to Mrs. Gilder, seeking refuge, "Look at her, always so mean to me. How could I possibly feel good?"

Jasmine turned away, refusing to engage further.

Mrs. Gilder couldn't help but laugh, pulling Sophia into a hug, "Then you should just move in with us, away from her glares."

"Who's moving in with us?"

A voice floated down from the stairs. Sophia looked up to see Jason, wearing a crisp white shirt, his eyes widening slightly behind his glasses as he noticed Sophia cuddling up to his mom.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Jason was visibly surprised, the sight of Sophia seeking comfort from his mother stirring something in him.

Sophia quickly sat up, equally surprised, "When did you get back?"

Jason didn't answer right away. Instead, he greeted Jasmine first, "Hey, Zoe!"

"Jason!" Jasmine looked at him with affection.

Jason smiled lightly, "Did you make meatloaf? I could smell it the moment I walked in. Mom's been talking about it for days."

Jasmine responded, "Yeah, I've been sneezing all day, had no choice but to make it."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Still leaning on Mrs. Gilder's shoulder, Sophia chuckled softly, "Gina, have you noticed? You and I get along so well, and Jason gets along so well with my mom. It's like we got switched at birth."

Mrs. Gilder laughed heartily, "I've wondered the same. Maybe we should swap now."

Jason looked at Sophia calmly, "No need to swap. If you like my mom so much, you're always welcome to move in."

Jasmine chimed in, "Please, let her move in. It'll give me a break from her lazy antics."

Jason glanced at Sophia, noticing a hint of bitterness in her expression, understanding well whom she was upset about.

He stood up, offering her a way out, "I need to run some errands, want to come with me to clear your head?"

Sophia lazily replied, "It's too cold, I don't want to go."

"Only under the blankets is it not

cold for you. Stick your head out and you're already complaining!"

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Jasmine approached, reaching to tug at her ear, "Go out with Jason, stop trying to laze around the house all the time."

"Mom!" Sophia protested, covering her ear.

Jason frowned slightly, about to intervene, when Mrs. Gilder beat him to it, hugging Sophia, "Don't tugon my Sophia's ear. It hurts me just looking at it!"

Seeing Jasmine let go, Jason stood back.

Sophia got up, "Fine, I'll go. Might as well have stayed in J City for the holidays, at least nobody would've bothered me there!"

"You'd be out of control if no one did!" Jasmine countered.

Sophia and Mrs. Gilder exchanged an exasperated look, their playful demeanor making Mrs. Gilder laugh.

Bundled up in her jacket and beanie, Sophia asked Jason, "Where to?"

"We'll figure it out," Jason said simply.

Sophia waved goodbye to Mrs. Gilder, "I'm off, then. We'll chat more when I get back."

"Have fun, dear!" Mrs. Gilder smiled warmly.

Once Sophia and Jason were in the car, Sophia's spirits seemed to dip again, was hoping for some peace coming back home, but it's just as chaotic here."

Jason, keeping his eyes on the road, spoke softly, "You won't find peace if your heart's not at peace, no matter where you hide."

Sophia glanced at him before looking away.

"Did he contact you again?" Jason inquired.

Sophia nodded, "He sent a message, trying to explain what happened that day."