Estrella leaned her elbow on the car window, cradling her face in her hand, and replied to Jason with a
lack of energy, “Just thinking about nothing.”
noveldramaThere was still a chasm between her and Jason, an invisible wall that no amount of glossing over the
uncomfortable truths could mask. They could never truly return to the way things were before.
Jason had never brought up the past, and Estrella didn’t want to either. Besides, bringing up Jason’s
former flame-especially one who had passed away-wasn’t the wisest move she could make. It would
only diminish her worth in his eyes and elevate Holly’s importance in his heart, nudging him back into
the arms of bygone memories.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Jason muttered.
Estrella looked at him with a playful smile. “So, you don’t want me to be part of your life?”
“You know that’s not what I mean,” Jason replied.
Estrella just smiled and didn’t say anything more.
Before long, they were back at home. Marie greeted them with her usual cheerfulness, saying, “You’re
back! Dinner is ready. Mr. Jason just made some ribs that are out of this world-I tried them myself!”
Suppressing a yawn, Estrella responded, “Marie, I’m not hungry. You guys go ahead and
eat.”
Marie wiped her hands on her apron, puzzled. “What’s the matter? How can a little outing’ take away
your appetite?”“We’ll eat later,” Jason said.
Estrella was clearly upset, and Jason noticed it. But then, if she had taken him to Korey’s place, he
wouldn’t be thrilled either.
Retreating to their bedroom, Estrella grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. As she
splashed water on her face, an inexplicable sense of melancholy washed over her. When she came out
of the shower, Jason put aside the case file he was reading and looked at her. “Come on, try to eat
something.”
“I’m not hungry,” Estrella said, toweling her hair. Then, placing her hand on her stomach, she teased,
“Besides, who knows if I’m pregnant? You haven’t been careful lately, have you?”
Estrella had always had a way with words, speaking nonsense when she didn’t feel like talking
seriously.
09-527
Jason was momentarily stunned by her words, his heart leaping into his throat. “We should get you
checked out at the hospital tomorrow,” he said uncertainly.
Seeing his serious reaction, Estrella couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “I was just joking, and you
took it seriously.” Though, judging by Jason’s reaction, he probably hadn’t been practicing safe sex
recently.
Jason’s expression shifted instantly, and he pulled her into a kiss as if to silence her teasing lips.
Sometimes, he really did wish he could sew her mouth shut.After a passionate kiss, Estrella kept laughing, remembering Jason’s earlier response.
He stroked her cheek, half-serious, half-playful “Come on, try the ribs, at least. And aren’t you going to
thank me for today?”
Jason had indeed orchestrated the vandalism of Nick’s car. If it weren’t for Estrella’s insistence on not
meddling with her work, he would have taken care of the matter long ago without waiting for the law to
take its course.
With those words hanging in the air, Estrella descended the stairs with him despite her lack of appetite.
She managed a few bites of Jason’s barbecue ribs, which were, to his credit, delicious.
After dinner, Estrella returned upstairs to work overtime. Initially, she hadn’t planned to work late, but
after visiting Serene’s house, she wasn’t in the mood to keep Jason
company.
She felt Jason nudge her from behind and realized that she wasn’t in the mood for romance. After a
work call, he retreated to his study. By the time he finished and returned to the bedroom, Estrella was
already asleep on the bed.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Jason realized there was still a barrier between them. That was why
Estrella, even in her displeasure, hadn’t talked to him about her concerns tonight. After watching her
sleep for a while, Drew called. Jason took the phone to the adjacent study. Drew reported on Serene’s
situation and mentioned, “By the way, Mr. Jason. Serene said she talked with Ms. Estrella about the fire
three years ago. She mentioned saving you and Ms. Holly.”
Jason’s expression darkened ever so slightly at Drew’s report, but he ended the call with a nonchalant
acknowledgment. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Jason was haunted by memories of the fireand Holly’s words that day. He didn’t know how long he stood there before returning to his desk.
He opened a secret file on his computer, revealing evidence that it was Estrella who had tampered with
the evidence and had set the fire.
Jason had been in denial when he first found the evidence, but subsequent investigations
مض
confirmed the harsh reality. Estrella had started the fire that killed Holly.
Jason closed the video screen and leaned his head back, letting it rest on the chair. The decision to
agree to this arranged marriage was indeed a form of revenge against her, giving her what she wanted
but denying her what she truly desired.
Memories flooded back, weighing heavily on Jason’s heart. After all, it was due to that devastating fire
that Holly lost her life. He closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the thought that if the Ledford family ever
found out and the truth ever surfaced…
He couldn’t bear to think any further.
Jason raised his right hand and rubbed his temple. It was clear to him that he and Estrella could never
go back to how things used to be.
The next morning, Jason woke up to find Estrella already gone from their bed.Marie informed him, “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estrella left about half an hour ago. She said you were sleeping
soundly, and she didn’t want to wake you.”
With a curt nod, Jason had breakfast at home before heading to the office.
Meanwhile, Estrella clocked in at the law firm and headed straight to Nick’s neighborhood
to look for clues.
When she asked a few neighbors on Nick’s floor about the situation, they hurriedly tried to close their
doors, claiming they knew nothing about the man in 302, especially regarding any domestic abuse.
The moment Estrella heard that response, alarm bells rang in her head. She hadn’t even broached the
subject of domestic abuse, yet the neighbors were preemptively shutting it down. It was clear they’d
heard the commotion, possibly even cries for help. But there was a line she knew she couldn’t cross. If
they were unwilling to speak, she couldn’t force
them.
When Estrella knocked on the door across from Nick’s, it swung open to reveal an old lady. With
Estrella having visited the neighborhood multiple times, she figured Estrella was the detective in
charge. With a helpless sigh, she said, “Look, we all just want to live our lives in peace. We don’t go
sticking our noses in other folks’ business. You might want to find another way to handle this.”
After expressing her resignation, she quickly closed the door.
Standing at the doorstep, Estrella pieced it together. Nick must’ve warned everyone to mind their own
business, which is why no one dared to speak up.
With hands buried in her trouser pockets, Estrella headed downstairs. Gazing up at Nick’s balcony, a
vivid scene invaded her thoughts. She imagined Nick unleashing his rage onLexi, his fists and feet flying, and even using a chair as a weapon against her.
09:52
Lexi, desperately fleeing from the living room to the balcony, found herself with her back against the
railing, cornered with nowhere to go. She could almost hear Nick’s menacing voice as he cornered her.
“Run, go on, try to run from me again?”