CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: SCHOOL DISTRICT APARTMENT CO-RENTING

Simon Sterling’s eyes widened in surprise; she knew Justin Holden’s schedule so clearly.

There was an indescribable sour feeling in his heart.

Jesse finished eating and squatted by the toy sandbox, concentrating on digging the sand with a small shovel, building the castle of her imagination.

Jean Ellison sat on the sofa beside her, holding her phone, her brow furrowed.

The screen displayed several real estate agent apps, with the words "school district house" followed by staggering rent figures.

"Mom, look at my big castle."

Jesse raised her little hand covered in sand, exclaiming excitedly, her cheeks flushed from the cold wind.

"Wow, what a beautiful castle, Jesse, well done."

Jean immediately put away her troubled expression, replacing it with a gentle smile, giving her daughter a thumbs up.

She walked over, squatted down, and helped Jesse straighten the crooked "castle wall."

Looking at her daughter’s bright eyes, her determination to find a school district house became even firmer.

No matter what, she had to find a way.

Simon Sterling came out of the kitchen, insisting on washing the dishes himself and tying on an apron; he was efficient, almost like he had a professional habit.

"Uncle Sterling."

Jesse obviously had a good impression of this uncle who had given her teddy bear cookies and milk. Seeing him come out, she happily called out and then went back to fussing over her sandcastle.

"Sterling."

Jean stood up, nodded to him, with a trace of lingering worry still on her face.

Simon Sterling approached, his gaze sharp.

His eyes swept over the still-illuminated screen in Jean’s hand, the words "school district rent" clearly visible.

"Worried about Jesse’s schooling?"

Simon Sterling got straight to the point, his tone a mix of understanding and slight concern.

"Jesse, go check out the new toys in your room, see if you like them?"

He intentionally redirected the child’s attention, so the adults’ worries could stay with the adults.

Simon watched Jesse run off, then turned to Jean, his smile slightly subdued, his tone serious.

"You don’t look well, are you facing difficulties?"

Jean sighed, not denying it.

In front of Simon Sterling, she didn’t seem to need to put on the strong front like she did with Jules Ellison.

She rubbed her temples, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"Yes, the nearby public elementary school... the reviews are pretty average. The better ones are either insanely expensive private schools or require a school district house. I did some research, and the rent for a house in a better school district..."

She shook her head.

"It’s more than double my current rent. And there are so few available, they’re snapped up as soon as they’re listed."

Simon listened in silence, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the arm of the sofa.

He looked at the tense lines of Jean’s profile and the anxiety she couldn’t hide in her eyes, then at Jesse who was sitting carefree at her bedroom door, playing with toys.

"Jean," Simon suddenly spoke, his voice a few tones lower, with a serious, thoughtful sincerity, "if... I mean if, you are really troubled by the housing situation, I do have a suggestion."

Jean looked at him, puzzled.

"I have an apartment in the city center, near Meridian Experimental Primary School. It was allocated by the hospital when I joined, and no one has lived there."

Simon’s tone was steady, as if he were stating something very ordinary.

"You know the area, all the schools from kindergarten to middle school are excellent. The apartment is fully furnished, ready to move in."

Jean’s heart skipped.

Meridian Experimental Primary School, it’s one of the top-ranked public schools in the city, with countless parents vying to get their kids in.

She stared at Simon in disbelief.

"You mean..." Jean’s voice was a bit hesitant.

"If you don’t mind,"

Simon met her gaze, his eyes candid.

"You and your child can move in first."

He smiled slightly and added, "The rent is not something you need to worry about. Just think of it as helping me look after the place. It’s sitting empty anyway, having someone there brings a bit of life to it, so I don’t fret over it."

He tried to sound casual and relaxed, as if offering a win-win solution.

For a moment, Jean was stunned.

A prime location in the city center, top school district, fully furnished two-bedroom... it was like pie falling from the sky.

If she accepted, Jesse’s schooling problem would be solved, and much of her heavy burden would be lifted.

But, she couldn’t accept something for nothing.

Their relationship wasn’t close enough to accept such a generous offer from Simon.

She could interpret his gifts of food and daily necessities as friendly gestures.

But this time, an invaluable school district apartment, with no rent, far exceeded the bounds of friendly help.

Jean straightened her back a bit, recalling what Jules had said before.

"Simon,"

Jean took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, striving to keep her voice calm.

"Thank you, truly." She paused, looking directly at Simon Sterling, clearly expressing her refusal, "But I can’t accept it."

Simon’s smile faded slightly, seemingly surprised by her straightforward refusal.

"Why? Don’t feel burdened. I just see that you and the child have it tough and wanted to help. It’s sitting there vacant otherwise..."

"I know your intentions are good."

Jean interrupted him gently but firmly.

"But this is my and Jesse’s life. The issue of the school district house is a challenge I must solve as a mother. I can’t... and shouldn’t solve it this way."

She emphasized the words "shouldn’t".

"Then how do you plan to solve it?"

Simon’s brow furrowed slightly, a trace of confusion in his voice.

"Shouldering the high rent, or sending Jesse to a school with mediocre reviews?"

"Jean, this is not the time for pride, the child’s future is the most important."

He tried to use her child to sway her.

"I’m not being proud."

Jean’s voice became a bit colder.

"I’ll find a way. Perhaps..."

A thought flashed quickly through her mind, a previously considered but difficult-to-achieve solution.

"Maybe I could find someone to co-rent."

"Co-rent?"

Simon reacted as if he had heard something incredible, his brow furrowing tighter, his voice rising slightly.

"Jean, living with strangers with a child, what if it’s unsafe?"

"I’ll consider everything before renting."

Jean stood up, no longer looking at Simon, her gaze turned to Jesse.

"I’m Jesse’s mother. I will weigh the pros and cons, and do my best to create the best conditions I can. Co-renting is also an option."

"If chosen carefully, it might not be bad."

Simon opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute something, but seeing Jean’s stance that kept people at a distance, he finally swallowed his words.

He forced a somewhat stiff smile and stood up as well.

"Alright, I respect your decision."

His tone returned to the lightheartedness it had before.

"But if you change your mind, call me anytime, I’ll drive over to help you move."

He took one last look at Jesse, who was still playing with her toys.

"Jesse, Uncle’s leaving, I’ll come see you another day."

"Bye Uncle Sterling."

Jesse looked up, cookie crumbs still on the corners of her mouth, waved her small hand naively.

Simon nodded, not looking at Jean again, and turned to leave hurriedly.

Jean walked to the window, took a deep breath of the cool air, and typed the words "school district house co-rent" seriously into the search box.