Chapter 5
Estrella was caught off guard for a moment. Did Jason really know what he was doing?
As Estrella’s surprise registered, Jason’s eyelashes fluttered slightly before he came back to himself and let go of her, saying, “You’re always talking about wanting to have children, aren’t you? What, are you still waiting for me to serve you?”
Estrella snapped back to reality, reaching for the buttons of his hospital gown while casually asking, “In your current state, can you even do it?”
Jason really wanted to sew Estrella’s mouth shut with needle and thread. Annoyed, her jerked his hand away from her, “You sure have a knack for stripping people.”
Then he changed the subject, “We’ll talk about the drugging incident when your folks come by tomorrow.”
Estrella landed with a thump on a nearby chair after being pushed aside and frowned, “Jason, you’re taking the fun out of this.”
Jason could mess with anyone he wanted, but not with Estrella’s mom and dad. They were her lifeline, and her absolute limit.
Jason looked at her impassively, “Weren’t you scared when you drugged me?”
With that, he pulled a bottle of pills from under his pillow and tossed it to Estrella, “Either take these now or let your parents be the judge.”
Catching the pills Jason flung at her, Estrella saw they were laxatives and felt a surge of anger. She had to suppress her rage, grinding her teeth she said, “Fine, Jason, you won.” Estrella would rather stay in the hospital for a few days than endure her mother’s tearful scolding.
Then, she poured the pills into her palm and was about to throw them into her mouth.
Seeing Estrella about to swallow the pills, Jason once again grabbed a pillow and, without too much force, hit her again..
The pills scattered across the floor, and when Estrella looked up at him, Jason said indifferently, “I’m not as vengeful as you.”
Estrella burst into laughter, “If you can’t bear it, just say so.”
Jason swept her with a cold glance, and Estrella quickly mimed zipping her lips, falling silent.
The room quieted down.
After a while, the comfort food Kristin had ordered from the hotel was delivered. Estrella took the bowl and spoon and sat carefully by the bed, feeding Jason. Before each spoonful, she blew on it to cool it down and tested the temperature. Only when it was
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cool enough did she bring it to Jason’s lips.
Everything felt like it had gone back to the way it was before their fight. They hadn’t interacted so closely in a very long time.
In the silence of the night, when Jason woke up, only a dim bedside nightlight remained
The light was faint, and Estrella was asleep, resting on the edge of the bed.
Two o years….. It had been two years since he had looked at her like this.
Jason lifted his right hand, about to touch her face, but stopped mid-air. He remembered every word she had said that day, the fire, and the irrefutable evidence.
The past came flooding back, and Jason’s hand finally rested on Estrella’s head as he muttered, “Do you hate me so much that you’d take my life?”
After that incident, and the fire, they couldn’t go back to how things were before. He couldn’t possibly fulfill her wish of having a child. They were together, but it was jus mutual torment and suffering.
Later, right up until he was discharged, Jason never spoke of Estrella drugging him.
As for Estrella, she took care of Jason until he was discharged, then went back to work at the law firm after completing her annual leave.
The two of them parted ways again, returning to days of seeming strangers.
One afternoon, as Jason returned from a government meeting, Drew brought him some documents to sign.
After Drew set down the documents, Jason asked, “What’s Estrella been up to lately?” It had been a month since Estrella last sought him out.
Drew replied, “Sir, Ms. Estrella has been busy with work, taking on quite a few divorce cases.” His voice dropped noticeably at the last sentence.
Jason tossed aside the document in his hand and laughed coldly, “She’s getting her practice in early.”
Drew remained silent, sharing the same thoughts.
Why Estrella married Jason was an open secret to all.
At Justice Guardians LLP, in the conference room, Estrella sneezed and wondered who might be talking about her when the director turned to her, speaking earnestly, “Estrella, you’re young, why take on so many divorce cases?”
He then looked around at the other colleagues “Don’t bully Estrella just because she’s the
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newbie. Don’t just dump the unwanted cases on her.”
Estrella smiled and said, “Director, it’s not that serious. I’m just treating it as training.”
Her marriage to Jason might turn into a fierce battle, and she wanted to warm up f
up first.
The director frowned and said, “That’s not the way to train. Estrella, take on fewer divorce. cases in the future, so it doesn’t affect your view of marriage.” He was worried about her being influenced by the cases in her first year.
Before Estrella could reply, the director added, And don’t say I didn’t guide you as your supervisor. I heard Nelson International is looking to change legal representation. If you can land Nelson International, you’d make a name for yourself in this industry.”
Over the years, the firm had vigorously pursued Nelson International’s legal representation, but to no avail. This year, with a new face, they wanted to give it another shot. The director believed in Estrella’s attitude and ability.
To ease her apprehension, he said, “Don’t feel pressured, Estrella. The firm doesn’t demand you secure Nelson International’s representation. Just do your best.”
With that encouragement, Estrella reluctantly agreed to try, but the thought of dealing Nelson International gave her a headache.
with
So when Estrella got home for dinner with her folks that night, and they started grilling her about Jason, she shot back with a frosty retort, “Dad, do you and Landon really think pushing me to marry Jason is doing me a favor, or are you just setting me up?”
Hearing this, Cole’s expression darkened. “What are you talking about, young lady? We’re obviously looking out for you. Plus, a bunch of fortune-tellers confirmed that your stars align only with Jason. Anyone else, and you’re looking at a future without kids.”
Estrella glanced at Cole. “Landon has never doubted you? He didn’t even doubt those fortune-tellers?”
“Your father-in-law is the one who consulted them. I don’t even know those people.”
The idea that she could only have children with Jason was both absurd and infuriating. Was it her debt to him from a past life, or his to her, that fate insisted on entangling them this way? Surely no one else’s life script was as melodramatically cursed as hers.
Meanwhile, Estrella’s mom chimed in, “Cole, if Estrella does have kids and Jason still insists on a divorce, can she keep the children?”
Cole nodded. “Landon made it clear if it comes to that, the kids will definitely stay with Estrella. So her main job right now is to make sure she has a son or a daughter.”
“That’s more like it,” Estrella’s mom sighed with relief. “Estrella, did you hear that? You need to prioritize this, honey.”
Estrella replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Got it Having kids with Jason is my priority now
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