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Chapter 31
Jason’s demeanor darkened; it seemed she was plotting again.
As he vigorously toweled his hair, he spoke with a detached tone, “First, I had to play your knight in shining armor, and now I’m expected to be your baby-making machine? Keep dreaming, sweetheart.”
Estrella continued to tease, her voice playful, “You just lie back and relax. I can handle the heavy lifting.”
Jason’s expression darkened as he lobbed the towel at her. “Estrella, you’re such a pervert!”
Their bickering was a game she never lost.
Catching the towel, Jason’s expression frosted over as he said, “Going off solo to the Lamonts, do you actually think they wouldn’t dare lay a finger on you?”
Estrella’s laugh was steady and composed, “I don’t take risks without certainty.”
Jason’s silent gaze seemed to question her confidence, as if asking, ‘Are you so sure I’d want to start a family with you?’
Estrella prodded further, “You defended me so passionately today. Got a bit of baby fever, have you?”
Jason’s face turned stony. “Do you think I’d let the Lamonts command me around without consequence?”
He was all about pride, Estrella knew, and she was just using the opportunity to flirt.
Just as Estrella was about to respond, her phone, resting on the table, suddenly rang. She picked up to see it was from a client and said to Jason with a smirk, “So, really not into the baby-making, huh? Well,
if you’re not, I’d better get back to work.”
With that, she answered the call, cheerfully greeting, “Hey, Jo.”
“Ms. Estrella.” The voice of the middle-aged woman on the other end broke into sobs.
Estrella quickly soothed her, “Jo, don’t cry, tell me what’s wrong,” as she nestled into the bed, pulling the thin covers around her.
Jason watched her slip into professional mode, his face a mask of disdain.
He used to think he was Estrella’s priority, or at least that starting a family was. But now, he wasn’t so sure.
“You take your time to figure things out. Alright, let me know when’s a good time to meet and I’ll walk you through the process.”
12:45
Beside her, Jason cast her a sidelong glance, convinced Estrella was just teasing him, devoid of sincerity.
An hour later, Estrella finished the call, visibly drained. She yawned, stretched, and slid under the covers, “I’m hitting the hay first.”
When Estrella burrowed into the bed, Jason kicked her lightly with his foot. He had waited for her for over an hour, expecting some playful banter post-call, but she went straight to sleep.
Jason felt an inexplicable annoyance. It was like downloading hundreds of gigs of movies only to find them all to be episodes of some insipid children’s show.
At the Manning residence, Melinda and Damita had been in hiding for over ten days after hearing Estrella had stormed the Lamonts and given Paula a piece of her mind. Only when they felt Estrella and Jesse might have cooled off did they dare to venture out.
But as soon as they stepped out, they were bagged and beaten, sent straight to the hospital.
Two days later, while the nation celebrated a long holiday, Estrella was meeting with her client Jo at a coffee shop to discuss a case.
It was well past noon when they stepped out of the café. The middle-aged woman apologized, “Ms. Estrella, it’s really inconsiderate of me to drag you out at this time, but I hardly find time otherwise.”
Estrella responded with a smile, “I understand. If you have friends going through a divorce, feel free to send them my way.”
The woman promised to refer any relevant cases, praising Estrella’s dedication and responsibility.
With a word of thanks, Estrella was about to get into her car when she spotted Jason
across the street, exiting a quaint watch shop with Serene’s brother Vi
who was
animatedly chatting with him, while Serene herself looked on with a sweet smile.
“Jason, you’re so smart. Even my sister couldn’t solve that math puzzle this morning.”
“Can we go to In-N-Out for lunch, Jason?” Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Jason…”
Despite the wide street between them, Estrella could almost hear their conversation.
The woman noticed Estrella’s halted attention and followed her gaze, asking, “Ms. Estrella, do you know that family?”
Seeing Vincent chatting happily with Jason, and Serene looking blissful beside them, anyone would mistake them for a happy family.
12:45
* Chapter 31
The question made Estrella laugh wryly to herself before replying with a nonchalant, “Acquaintances.” That was all she and Jason were now, acquaintances.
As Estrella got into her car, the woman added one last comment about Jason’s impressive presence and how Serene seemed mismatched with him.
Estrella merely replied, “To each their own,” before saying her goodbyes and driving off, casting a final indifferent glance at Jason, who was gallantly opening the car door for Serene and Vincent.
In their two years of marriage, Jason had never once opened the car door for her.
With a wry, helpless smile, Estrella withdrew her gaze, refrained from calling Jason to check in, and sped back to her home.
Once home, Autumn’s disappointment was palpable as she realized Jason hadn’t come back with Estrella. “No plans for a getaway during the holiday?”
Estrella, changing her shoes, replied casually, “He’s busy.”
“You’ve gotta live a little, even with a packed schedule.” Autumn said, and then under her breath, she added, “Wasn’t Jason sticking up for you last time? No sparks flying between you two?”
Autumn’s mention of the past prompted Estrella to recall her recent encounter with Jason, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. “As lackluster as I may be, I’m still his wife. He wouldn’t turn his back on me.”
Not keen on continuing the Jason topic, Estrella quickly changed the subject. “Mom, what treats have you whipped up today? And how’s dad? What about that business deal he mentioned last time? Does he need me to take a look?”
Estrella, before graduating, had spent her holidays and internships in the family business, so she was well-acquainted with the ins and outs of the company.
Autumn replied, “I made your favorites. As for business, go check with your dad in the study.”
With a nod and a brisk “Okay,” Estrella made her way upstairs.
It wasn’t long before father and daughter emerged from the study, ready to enjoy a meal together.
After dinner, Estrella retreated to her room for some rest. At a little past three in the afternoon, she woke up to find Jason in a dark suit, sitting on the sofa next to her bed. His voice broke the silence, “Awake?”