Chapter 20
“Hmm?” Jason’s voice, mellifluous and soothing, answered with a touch of warmth and a hint of flirtation.
The couple seemed to have an unspoken understanding, and before Paula could even process what was happening, she was left dumbfounded once again.
Estrella was doing this on purpose. Paula was sure of it. But there was Jason, playing right along with her, responding so suggestively.
“Jason,” Paula said incredulously, staring at him as if he were a stranger. This wasn’t the
Jason she once knew.
Snapping back to reality, she turned to Estrella. “Estrella, you must have drugged Jason. I was going to let you maintain your image and not call you out in front of everyone for
but you’re just too arrogant. You don’t even care about Jason’s
your s
feelings.”
With that, Paula whipped out her phone, scrolled through her gallery, and thrust it at Jason. “Don’t be fooled by Estrella’s prim and proper act, she’s been cheating on you. I’ve got proof of her indiscretions right here. Take a look if you don’t believe me.”
Paula’s outburst drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Jason, hands casually pocketed, glanced at Paula’s phone with detached interest. The pictures indeed showed Estrella looking a bit too cozy with another man.
At that moment, Paula glared at Estrella and seethed, “You’re done for this time, Estrella.
Estrella lowered her gaze and glanced at the phone, then chuckled disdainfully. “I thought for a moment you’d actually caught me in bed with someone.”
Her nonchalance only made Paula’s face redden with anger, “Jason, can brazen she is? Just listen to her. It’s clear she’s been messing around.”
you believe how
Paula was beside herself with fury, but Jason, with a calm gaze, said, “The man in those pictures is me.”
“What?” Paula was stunned. “That’s you in the pictures, Jason?”
Shocked, Paula looked closely at the phone and, indeed, the silhouette bore a striking resemblance to Jason. “Jason, how can this be.” Paula stuttered, at a loss for words.
Estrella, with her arms crossed, smirked, “Paula, if you can’t even recognize Jason, I guess I overestimated your fondness for my husband”
The crowd snickered at Estrella’s comment.
When Paula first brandished the phone, Estrella had immediately recognized the photos from the day she was discharged from the hospital and Jason had come to pick her up.
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Estrella genuinely thought Paula wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.
“Estrella, you…” With a pale face, Paula swung at Estrella in a fit of rage. “Did you just mock me? I’ll teach you a lesson.”
But before Paula’s hand could make contact, Jason had intercepted her arm. Turning to see Jason holding her back, Paula’s eyes welled up, ready to protest, but Jason coldly released her. “You’re not even worth touching her.”
His protectiveness brought tears to Paula’s eyes. “Jason, don’t be fooled by Estrella. She’s no good, and her marrying you is just…”
She was cut off by Jason’s ringing phone. Disinterested in her drama, Jason turned and answered the call.
away
Meanwhile, whispers spread among the onlookers, with those in the know informing the clueless that Estrella had been married to Jason for two years.
Paula looked wronged, and Estrella took two steps forward, leaning slightly towards Paula, whispering in her ear. “Thank you so much for making my marriage to Jason public, Paula.”
Not many knew about her and Jason’s marriage, but thanks to Paula’s scene, that was likely to change.
As Estrella spoke, Paula retorted defiantly, “So what if you’re married? People get divorced all the time. Who’s to say you won’t be next?”
Estrella’s smile didn’t falter. “Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Paula was at a loss for words as Estrella gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Save your energy. The more you struggle, the more Jason will side with me.”
Paula clamped her mouth shut and stormed off in search of her parents.
Once Paula left, Jason ended his call. He turned to Estrella. “I’ve got to head out for a bit.”
Seeing his demeanor, Estrella knew without asking that the call was from Serene. She caught his arm, “Do you really have to go?”
Jason’s gaze softened just slightly, “Some one will come pick you up later.” With that, he gently disengaged from her grasp.
Estrella let out a self-deprecating laugh in her mind. There was no point in holding on to someone whose heart was elsewhere.
She watched Jason depart, and remembering a small victory over Paula, Estrella allowed herself a sarcastic smile.
Once Jason had left, Estrella found a corner to settle down and check her phone for legal documents. The banquet hall suddenly erupted with excitement.
15:22
“Korey.”
“Korey.”
“Korey.”
Estrella looked up and saw that familiar figure.
In the next second, she froze. Korey was back.
“Korey, I never expected you to make it tonight. I’m so pleased,” Hector said, grasping his hand. “By the way, when did you get back?”
“Just got off the plane. Mr. Hector, I heard you were celebrating your birthday, so I came straight here.”
“You’re thoughtful, kid.”
“It’s the least I could do, especially since our families share so much history.”
“Indeed.”
Estrella watched the scene from afar, choosing not to join the crowd. Instead, she turned her attention back to her phone.
After the crowd dispersed, Estrella said her goodbyes to Hector and left the party.
Outside the hotel, a brisk breeze wafted by, prompting Estrella to wrap her arms around herself instinctively.
She had arrived with Jason, but he had left early, leaving her stranded. Not in the mood to wait for someone to come pick her up, Estrella decided to hail a cab on her own. However, at this hour, it seemed like an eternity before one would become available.
“Estrella.” As she lingered by the hotel entrance, a voice unexpectedly reached her ears.
15:23)
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