Meanwhile, back at the house.
Estre, having just wrapped up her shift, walked through the door to find Marie practically bouncing
with excitement. “Ms. Estre,” she gushed, “Mr. Jason called earlier. He said he’ll being home
later tonight.”
Marie was well aware that it was a roundabout way for him to let Estre know he wasing without
having to call her directly.
Handing her bag over to Marie, Estre smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll head upstairs and freshen up a
bit.”
After pampering herself with a long shower and slipping into her newly purchased
pajamas, she waited and waited. Yet, Jason was nowhere to be seen. As the clock ticked
close to eleven and Jason still hadn’t arrived, Estre lost all interest in working. In frustration, she
tossed the case files on her desk, picked up her phone, and dialed Drew. “Drew, what’s going on with
Jason? Wasn’t he supposed toe home?”
Calling Drew was ast resort for Estre because ever since ‘that incident, Jason had stopped taking
her calls. Anymunication had to go through Drew, which was a bitter pill for Estre to swallow.
On the other end, Drew spoke with measured words. “Ms. Estre, he is tied up with some matters.”
After a brief pause, he continued, “He probably won’t make it back tonight. You might as well not wait
up.”
When Drew confirmed Jason wouldn’t be returning, Estre ended the call abruptly. It was one thing
not toe home, but another not to even notify her. Giving hope and then dousing it with a bucket of
cold water-what was he ying at?
With a huff, she tossed the phone onto the desk and ran her fingers through her long, dark hair, feeling
a burning frustration within.
She had prepared herself, and he wasn’ting back. At this rate, her hopes for a child seemed to be
slipping away. Time was also slipping by. What felt like a year not so long ago was now just a few
months.
Feeling off-kilter, she grabbed her phone again and called Bryce. “Bryce, you’re back, right? Can you
check up on what Jason is up to tonight?”
“Sure thing, give me three minutes,” came the reply from the other end.
Bryce, Jason’s cousin and Estre’s ssmate was unequivocally on her side through thick and thin.
Coon Bryce’s call came back with news that made Estre’s expression turn cold, and a
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self-mocking smile crept onto her lips. She had thought she could keep Jason close.
In the hospital room.
Jason, hands in his pockets, nced over at Serene, who was yet toe around. Checking his
watch, he noted it was nearly midnight, and his expression darkened.
Drew whispered, “Sir, Ms. Estre called a moment ago.”
“Mm.”
“Perhaps you should head back. I’ll stay with Ms. Serene.”
From N?velDrama.Org.
Jason let out a sigh and was about to respond when Serene suddenly stirred awake. As she struggled
to adjust, her pale face reddened around the eyes, when she finally opened her eyes and saw Jason.
With tears clouding her vision, she choked out a single word, “Jason.”
Jason’s demeanor grew even sterner at Serene’s awakening.
Drew, with a hint of sternness, said, “Ms. Serene, you’ve been so careless. If we’d found you anyter,
you might not have been saved.”
After Drew spoke, Serene burst into tears. Lifting herself on trembling arms, she sobbed to Jason, “I’m
sorry, Jason. I didn’t mean to trouble you. I just couldn’t see a way out for my family’s future, and I lost
hope.”
Wiping away tears, she promised, “I won’t make foolish mistakes again.”
She had nearly overdosed on sedatives. If not for the timely discovery by Drew’s arranged
housekeeper, she might not have survived.
Jason looked down at the distraught Serene and spoke softly, “Your life won’t be so difficult from now
on. Don’t overthink things.”
Serene’s father had passed in a car ident years ago, leaving her mentally unstable mother and a
nine-year-old brother. The burdens of life were undeniable, but with a decent sry from Nelson
International and her connection to Jason, she wasn’t without support.
Jason’s reassurance led Serene to grasp his arm, looking up at him with hope. “Jason, you won’t
abandon me, will you? You’ll help me, right?”
Jason’s hand twitched in his pocket, but he didn’t pull away from her grip. Instead, he looked down and
assured her, “If there’s anything you need, you can go directly to Drew.
Drew quickly added, “Ms. Serene, Mr. Jason is a man of honor, He won’t leave you high and dry. You
cane to me with anything.” Her life-saving deed for Jason had secured her a spot in the office and
his implicit support
With that, Serene reluctantly released Jason’s arm, with gratitudeced in her voice. “Thank you,
Jason.” Then, turning to Drew, “And sorry for the trouble, Drew.”
After Serene’s revival, Jason lingered in the hospital room for a short while before leaving. It was now
the early hours of the morning. He had intended to return to Sandalwood Oasis, but remembering how
he had upset Estrest time, he decided against it. Jason anticipated a cold reception and chose to
be dropped off at an alternate residence.
The doctor had advised Serene to stay in the hospital for observation, and Jason did visit asionally.
After all, he felt partly responsible for her current state.
Estre was aware of Jason’s whereabouts these past few days. Having grown ustomed to
disappointment, she chuckled ironically in her heart. She no longer took Jason’s promises seriously,
nor did she hope for his return.
However, Kristin wasn’t having any of it. When she learned that Jason had been visiting Serene in the
hospital these past few days, hardly ever returning home, she let loose a tirade in thefort of her
own living room. “That little slut is probably pulling a fast one. It’s a ssic sympathy y. She’s just
jealous that Jason and Estre are patching things up.”
The housekeeper nodded in agreement, “You might be onto something there, Ms. Kristin.” Kristin
fumed, “No way, I can’t stand by while she ys her games.” With that, she instructed the chauffeur to
drive her to Sandalwood Oasis.
So, when Estre got home from work, she was met with the sight of a fuming Kristin in the living room.
Startled, Estre handed her bag to the housemaid and asked, “Kristin, what brings you here?”
Kristin quickly stood up from the couch, “If I didn’te over, Jason might as well not be your husband
anymore.”
Estreughed it off, “Mom, it’s not that serious.”
Even though Estre was taking it in stride, Kristin wasn’t influenced by her calmness. After a good
round of berating Serene, she handed Estre a check.
Estre, half puzzled, asked, “What do you mean by this?”
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