Chapter 72
Estrella’s repeated pleas finally got through to Jason, the old rusty pipe clattering from his
o to the ground. Seizing the moment, Estrella took his hand, “Let’s head back, shall
We?”
Jason’s gaze softened as he looked down at Estrella, his eyes losing their fiery red tint, “Yeah. Let’s go home.”
With Jason’s aggression diffused, Grayson and the others exhaled in relief. Thomas quipped, “Ella’s got a way with Jason, doesn’t she?”
Bryce, with a flick of his leg, kicked the incapacitated man on the ground, “Damn it, thinking you can mess with my Ella? You got what you deserved.”
Richie lay curled up on the ground, too beaten to even open his eyes. From the moment Estrella refused his 8 million, he should’ve realized she was no ordinary girl. After all, what average person could resist the temptation of 8 million?
As the group made their way out of the dilapidated warehouse, Grayson shoved his hands. in his pockets and muttered to Estrella, “Maybe you should consider coming back to the office.”
Estrella just laughed, “If everyone thought that way, there’d be no justice in the world.”
Her resolve silenced Grayson. She wasn’t wrong to stand her ground.
Half an hour later, when they returned home, Jason was still brooding, his face creased
with concern.
Covered in blood, he noticed Estrella’s silence on the way back and spoke in a subdued tone, “Did I scare you?”
Estrella, picking up pajamas from the bed, turned to him with a smile, “Me? Scared? Hardly.” She eyed him up and down, “Maybe take a shower first?”
Jason didn’t respond. He just stripped off his clothes and sat on the couch with his eyes closed, lost in thought.
Estrella, seeing his state, stopped talking and headed to the bathroom.
A moment later, with her sleeves rolled up, she emerged and announced, “The bath’s ready. Tonight, you get the VIP treatment.”
Jason let out a faint smile and headed for the bathroom. Estrella, sleeves still rolled,
followed him in.
After a quick rinse, Jason submerged himself in the bathtub, his head included. Estrella sat quietly beside him, watching him emerge from the water, pushing his damp hair back. She teased with a playful glance downward, “It’s not like I’ve never seen it before. That
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Chapter 72
towel’s a bit overkill.”
Jason’s expression darkened, and later he asked, “When have you seen it?”
They had their moments, but he had never undressed in front of her, so she couldn’t have. seen anything.
Jason fell silent, and Estrella laughed, “Just kidding. You took it seriously?” Then she added, “Scared of me seeing? I’ll just step out then.”
“Aren’t you curious?” he retorted.
“If you don’t want me to leave, just say so.” Often, her flippancy was just a way to keep things from getting too tense.
As Jason lay in the tub, memories of their school days flooded back. Back then, they were close, with Jason fighting countless battles for her.
If only that one time had never happened….
Estrella still vividly recalled the sting of Jason’s slap. It had left her dazed and had. shattered years of friendship.
Estrella’s sudden silence prompted Jason to sigh heavily, “I was afraid I’d be too late.”
His
s voice echoed in her ears, and she snapped back to reality, “It’s okay, I was fine last time, and I’m fine this time.”
“Last time it wasn’t me who saved you,” Jason said, and the atmosphere grew still.
Yes, it hadn’t been him who saved her. She had hoped for him, but it was Korey who came to her rescue, and the danger she had faced had been because of him.
They had known each other for 23 years, there were too many stories between them, and there was still the person he couldn’t let go of or forget in his heart.
Estrella sat in silence before finally smiling, “You should get out of the tub soon; I’ll step out for a bit.”
As Estrella stood to leave, Jason reached out and grabbed her arm, “Stay with me a little. longer.”
She looked down at him, and eventually sat back down.
They remained quiet, one soaking in the tub, the other sitting by his side. Jason had a lot on his mind that night, and Estrella, sensing his mood, refrained from any further teasing and sat in silence.
“Estrella,” Jason called out. She hummed in response, but he fell silent again.
Their eyes met, and seeing Jason struggle to speak, Estrella reassured him with a smile, “Don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t made it, I would have been fine.”
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She wasn’t fragile like Serene or Holly; she wasn’t someone who couldn’t survive without another. She could take care of herself.
Estrella’s comforting words weighed heavy on Jason. There were barriers between them that couldn’t be broken down. They could never return to the
way they were before. Her casual demeanor was just a sign of her indifference, and her marriage to him merely a means to have a child.
The next morning, Estrella woke to replace Jason already dressed and standing by the wardrobe. Clutching a pillow to her chest, she watched him, noting that he hadn’t realized she was awake. Breaking the silence, Estrella said, “Thanks for last night.”
“Awake, huh?” Jason glanced at her. “I’ve got an early meeting this morning. You’ll have to head to the law firm on your own.”
“Sure,” Estrella murmured softly.
However, after Jason left this time, he didn’t return for several days. Every time their relationship showed signs of improvement, he immediately became distant again, as if deliberately suppressing it.
This particular morning, as Estrella was getting ready to leave, Bryce burst in, “Ella.”
Yawning, Estrella asked, “What brings you here so early?”
“Just checking up on you,” Bryce replied. “And to fill you in about what went down the other night.”
Bryce pulled up in his pickup, and Estrella, not in the mood for driving, hitched a ride to the law firm with him. As they cruised down the road, Bryce gripped the steering wheel, his mouth running like a faucet, “Man, Jason went all WWE on that guy. Doc said that Richie shouldn’t even think about leaving the hospital this year. He might as well set up camp
there.”
Estrella raised an eyebrow, “You guys just stood there watching? A fatal blow would’ve been a messy end for all.”
“We couldn’t stop him, you know. Who knew Jason was in such a foul mood that night? Bad luck for Richie.”
The moment Bryce’s words hit the air, Estrella’s phone rang-a call from Korey. She answered with a brief, “Hi Korey.”
“I’m fine, that’s all in the past now.”
“Tonight? No can do, I’ve got a business trip this afternoon.”
After a few more words, the call ended.
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Chapter 72
Bryce, with a suspicious glint in his eve, turned to Estrella, “Was that Korey asking you out for dinner? Don’t tell me you’re thinking about divorce because Korey’s back.”
Estrella, annoyed, flung her shoe at him, “If your brother doesn’t care, why should you?
Just drive your
your car.”
Bryce caught the shoe, then said with mock seriousness, “Look, Jason might not be Prince Charming, but Korey’s just a stuffed shift. Jumping from one bad situation to another isn’t gonna do you any good. He’s too straight-laced for you.”
Estrella snorted, “So everyone’s wrong for me, but you’re Mr. Right?”
Bryce puffed up, “I’m definitely a better catch than those guys.”
Estrella chuckled, “Go ahead, say that in front of Jason.”
Bryce blustered, “I’ll say it. I’m not scared.”
All talk, no game-he didn’t even dare to provoke Jason with a call. It wasn’t until he’d dropped Estrella off at the firm that he dared to dial someone.
As the call connected, a chilling voice came through, “What’s up?”
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