Chapter 98
Listening to the movement at the door, Estrella tied her hair while looking in that direction. and asked, “Did you send your mom away?”
After a moment, she stretched her neck, saying. “I’m stiff all over from the car ride. I’m going to take a quick shower.”
As Estrella gathered her clothes and headed to the bathroom, Jason’s gaze landed on the jewelry box atop her vanity. The memory of the necklace he had angrily gifted to Serene made him rub his temples in frustration.
Estrella hadn’t brought up the necklace, or fought with him over it, which somehow made. Jason feel even more unsettled.
When Estrella emerged from the bathroom, fresh from her shower, Jason returned from his own, toweling off his hair. His gaze lingered on her as she slipped into a black silk nightgown that made her skin look even more luminous, its sash tied casually to accentuate her figure.
For a moment, Jason’s hand froze midway through drying his hair.
Unbothered, Estrella walked over to her desk and began jotting down her thoughts on a case that had been on her mind, oblivious to Jason’s staring.
Jason dropped the towel on the nightstand and approached her, trapping her between his arms and the desk. “Estrella, about that rain check from the resort-you promised to make. it up to me. Is tonight the night?”
He had handled Rachel, and Estrella had said she’d repay him with interest. But with their busy schedules, they hadn’t found the time, and the promise was left unfulfilled.
Estrella pushed him gently away, her focus still on her work. “Can’t you see I’m busy here?” She was serious now. “Ryan’s case goes to trial tomorrow, and who knows which way the judge will lean. Why don’t you go out with Zach and Grayson for a drink?”
Jason’s expression darkened, a flash of irritation crossing his face. “How generous of you,” he muttered bitterly.
When he wasn’t around, she was upset. Now that he was here, she seemed indifferent.
Estrella glanced back at him, flipping through case files. “Ryan’s case is the first criminal one I’ve taken and the first where a life hangs in the balance. I’ve prepared a lot for this.”
She paused, the heaviness in her voice betraying her concern for Ryan, who was so young when his mother was killed.
Estrella’s dedication
was evident, and Jason tried to reassure her. “Just do
your best.
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Chapter 98
Don’t
ut so much pressure on yourself.”
She smiled faintly and suggested he get some rest.
Jason ruffled her hair affectionately before picking up a book and settling into bed. As he alternated between reading and watching Estrella, now dressed in her nightgown and silver-framed glasses, he found the sight quite pleasing. It made him wonder if it was time to let go of past grievances.
Time passed, and when Estrella finally finished her work, she yawned, stretched, and stood up. Noticing Jason still awake, she teased, “Waiting for me?”
He nodded, his attention now fully on her as she sat on the bed’s edge, rubbing her cold feet against his warmth. “I’ve done what I can for now,” she said. “I’m trying to approach Ryan’s case from the angle of his mental state, but I still can’t get a definitive diagnosis.” Estrella sighed, hoping the judge would be lenient and give Ryan a chance at a better future.
Estrella was usually a light-hearted soul on weekdays, seldom showing her serious side, but at this moment, as she earnestly discussed her work-related matters with Jason, he felt a stirring in his heart.
Ever since their wedding, such tranquil and composed conversations had become a rarity between them.
Jason put away his book and asked, “Are you aiming for a manslaughter verdict?”
She turned to him, her eyes searching. “I’ve argued it, but the prosecution insists on retaliation. I’m focusing on his depressive upbringing, but we lack concrete evidence.”
“I’ve never felt so compelled to save someone, she confessed, her voice tinged with emotion, unlike when she dealt with her own loneliness in their marriage.
Logan and Drew had warned her that Ryan might face immediate execution, but Estrella hoped for understanding from others about his life circumstances.
Jason embraced her, kissing her forehead. “Your efforts won’t go unnoticed.”
Estrella leaned against him, grateful for his support. “I hope so.”
He turned off the lights, urging her to rest before the trial.
“Alright,” she agreed, crawling under the covers. But her thoughts weighed heavily on her, and she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Jason, disturbed by her restlessness, pulled her close. “Don’t stress too much, Estrella.”
She faced him, her voice filled with frustration. “I wasn’t even this worried about my
exams.”
As she reflected on the past, Jason tried to lighten the mood. “With all the lessons
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Chapter 98
Grayson and I gave you, you had no reason to worry.”
Estrella was the kind of student who could usually be found catching up on her beauty sleep rather than hitting the books. But when exams loomed on the horizon, she’d hit up Jason and Grayson for a crash course, cramming in some last-minute salvation.
When the big tests rolled around, she’d blast through them like a rockstar. Come graduation, she snagged the title of salutatorian for the entire city. Her intellect was the stuff of legend within their clique.
Jason couldn’t help but bring up her school-day shenanigans, prompting an outburst of laughter from Estrella. “Yeah, I was pretty wild back then,” she admitted with a chuckle.
As they reminisced, Jason noticed Estrella’s distraction and decided to change tack. “So, you don’t have anything to say about the gift I picked out for Serene?” he asked suddenly.
Over the past couple of years, the more magnanimous Estrella was in their marriage, the more it gnawed at Jason’s conscience.
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