HEIRESS REBORN: MARRYING HER EX-FIANCÉ-Chapter 40: Five Years Later (2)

’’Y-You...hate...me?’’ Jason stared at his elder sister in disbelief.

How could his own elder sister hate him?

She could be scary at times, sure, but she had never shown any sign of hatred towards him. Even their nanny had always told him that his elder sister was the one who loved him the most.

’’Hated, Jason.’’ Ayana corrected with a smile at the sight of his confused face. She then chuckled to herself and faced her eyes forward before lowering them in thoughts.

"The society we live in... no, the kind of world we live in, Jason," she began, "many still believe that women aren’t equal to men, especially in business."

"If you hadn’t been born, I would’ve been the sole heir of our family business, and no one would have questioned the rightful succession." She used their family as an example.

’’.....’’ Jason stayed silent, absorbing her words. After a moment, he hesitantly asked, "Then... does elder sister still hate me?"

"No." Ayana answered immediately, looking up, and her gaze softened. She took in the sight of her little brother inching closer to her, his legs already forward, and bent over the couch.

Like a small chick seeking shelter under its mother’s wing.

"When our parents died, I put those hateful thoughts aside and began looking after you as my family.’’ She continued. ’’No matter how unwelcoming I felt at your birth, it never changed that you’re my one and only brother. You’re also the only family I have in this world, Jason."

"So, try not to be too annoyed with the bodyguards." Ayana stood up and moved back to her office desk. "As your elder sister and family, I want to keep you safe. Your identity as our family’s young master and heir should be something you’re proud of, not something that feels like a burden. Remember that you have been privileged from birth, Jason. There are people—both the poor and rich, who would do anything to be in your place. Just like your elder sister."

’’.....’’ Jason pressed his lips together, watching her look through the papers from the sidelines

’I know I’m lucky, sister.’ He lowered his gaze in thoughts. ’People have always said so at school.’ His frown deepened as he recalled the whispers that had always stayed with him.

"I’m sorry, Sis." Jason grumbled after a moment, barely audible.

"Are you grumbling or apologizing, Jason?" Ayana asked, not bothering to look up.

"I’m sorry, sis!" he repeated, a little louder this time.

"I’ll accept that apology for now," she replied, her tone calm. "However, I’ll be taking your games and puzzles for the next two days."

"Sis!" he protested, his voice rising in disbelief.

"Next time, don’t complain about the bodyguards. They are people whose jobs depend on you, Jason."

"But—"

"No buts."

Jason slumped, muttering under his breath. "...I shouldn’t have said anything."

Now he wouldn’t be able to play his games for two days. His friends had just recommended some new ones to him, too.

".....’’ Seven-year-old Jason bore holes into the face of his busy elder sister. He hoped that she might take back the punishment, but deep down, he knew it was a lost cause.

His elder sister was one who rarely changed her mind.

’I’ll tell Big Brother then.’ Jason made a mental note to complain to his big cousin first thing at home.

As he watched his busy elder sister and her quiet assistant on the side, his thoughts drifted back to their recent conversation.

"Sis." He suddenly called out.

"Hm?" she replied, not looking up from her work.

"Why am I still the heir?" he asked, genuinely curious, yet confused. His elder sister just said she had once hated him for being the heir, so why leave the position to him now?

"...Because I want to enjoy my life in the future."

"Eh?" Jason’s eyes widened at her words. Then his elder sister was not enjoying life now?

"The workload as president is too much. Ever since I took over, I’ve come to respect what our father and mother have done here. Why should your young and beautiful elder sister wither away in this office when a little brother is around to take over?’’ she then added with a dry chuckle.’’ I already have a hard time quarreling with those old foggies, and this position has always been meant for you in the first place, Jason."

’’...’’ Jason blinked his wide eyes twice at his elder sister, who said all that without looking up.

He suddenly did not understand anymore.

"I should go home now," He decided to forget and leave his elder sister to her work. Jason knew that if he kept asking questions, his sister might not come home on time... or at all. And he didn’t like that.

"Do your homework and sleep early, Jason. I better not catch you watching TV late again."

"~Yes.’’ He answered with a frustrated sigh, packing up his tablet and getting up from the sofa with his school bag.

"Oh, and give all your games and puzzles to Paige," Ayana reminded him, finally looking up. "I’ll call to check if you’ve done that, Jason."

"Urgh! Why didn’t you forget?!" Jason wanted to glare at her, but knowing how scary she could be when did that, he instead hurried out of the office.

*Slam!*

"Haa..." Ayana dropped her papers, rubbing her temples with a sigh. "He’s behaving like an unruly teenager, and his age is not even close to one yet. I’m terrified for when the time comes, Lisa’’

’’Well....’’ Her assistant on the side, Lisa, hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Her boss’s concerns about the young master’s wild character were spot-on.

"Sis!" Jason’s voice suddenly called from the door again. This time, he opened it gently and poked his head through the small gap.

"I love you, no matter what anyone says!" he blurted out before quickly closing the door.

Ayana stared at the closed door for a moment, then broke into a soft smile.

"...Well, he really is a sweetheart beneath all that rebellious attitude." She murmured to herself.

’’....Don’t you think you’re being hard on him, ma’am?’’ Ayana turned to her assistant, who hesistantly spoke up with concern evident in her tone. ’’Telling a seven-year-old that you hated him....he’s still very young.’’

’’That’s why I’m not hiding anything from him.’’ She replied immediately, shifting her gaze back to her work. ’’Jason needs to be always aware of his position as the heir. It’s best to strike now than to wait till he matures. I’m not always there with him and fear that our enemies could take advantage of his young age.’’

Ayana understood the concerns of her assistant. However, she felt it was best to start letting her little brother know how their kind of world worked from this young age.

She wasn’t all-knowing, nor could she predict the moves of their ambitious relatives or the unknown enemies lurking around the Kingston family.

Her past life was gradually becoming different from this life because of her actions.

For all she knew, someone could attempt to exploit Jason’s innocence and put in ideas that could turn him against her and their family’s interests.

No matter what, Ayana could not take risks when it comes to her little brother.

’I also want us to be close enough to share anything. No one must take advantage of Jason or myself.’ Ayana thought to herself before posing a question for her assistant on the side.

’’Lisa, do I have any pending meetings to attend?’’

’’Well..." Lisa glanced down at the schedule on her tablet, her eyes scanning quickly. "You have a board meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the upcoming project budgets. Then there’s a lunch meeting with the clients from Summit Corp on Thursday."

Ayana nodded, still focused on the papers. "Good. Anything else?"

Lisa cleared her throat, her gaze wavering as she scrolled further down. "There’s... also an invitation."

"An invitation?" Ayana raised an eyebrow and glanced at her assistant. Rumors had already spread widely that she avoided banquets and gatherings unless they were strictly business-related.

Lisa knew better than to bother her with troublesome invites unless...

"...Is it from them?" Ayana’s gaze darkened slightly.

’’Yes ma’am. ’’ Lisa answered with a hint of hesitation. "The first young miss requested that I personally deliver this to you. She’s wishes for you to attend her upcoming birthday banquet."