Jason’s lips were soft and tender, his kissing skills masterful.
In no time at all, Estre found herself weak in the knees from his passionate kiss.
Clutching his neck, her chin resting on his shoulder. Just as she thought they were about to get down to
business, Jason suddenly nibbled on her earlobe, his breath warm against her skin, and he whispered
a reminder, “Estre, Aunt Flo’s in town.”
At first, Estre didn’t quite grasp the situation, thinking to herself, “Isn’t my aunt on a trip abroad these
days?”
A secondter, she realized Jason was referring to her period. Releasing him, she twisted around to
check the back of her pajamas, only to see a telltale crimson spot.
In that moment, Estre was too shocked to even react. It was her long-awaited moment. ncing up
at Jason, who nonchntly picked up a book to read in bed, she understood he’d known all along and
had been toying with her for kicks.
Biting back frustration, she muttered, “You might dodge the bullet today, but you won’t be so lucky
forever.”
Jason looked up, “Aren’t you going to change?
He wasn’t interested, and what could Estre do about it? If he wanted her, she wouldn’t be able to
resist. In this game, the power was all in his hands.
Scratching her head in resignation, Estre turned and retreated to the bathroom.
With Aunt Flo visiting, Estre settled down. Even as Jason came home these past few days, she
stopped flirting, focusing solely on her work.
Now, Jason had her figured out. When she had no ulterior motive, she barely spoke to
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
him.
Besides her yful teasing, all her time and energy were devoted to her work, no matter how mundane
the cases were.
Thomas was right, Estre was a keeper. If there was any w, it was that she didn’t have him in her
heart.
“Estre, it’ste, why aren’t you in bed?” Jason asked, setting down his book on the bed.
“I’ll be done in a minute. You ahead.”
go
“You are just a beginnerwyer busier than me he quipped, picking up his book again.
“Even a beginnerwyer has to be diligent.”
After a while, as Jason continued reading, Estre suddenly pounced, straddling him. He
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looked at her coolly, “Aunt Flo leaves, and you’re all over me?”
Estre retorted, “Can’t I snuggle up even when she’s here?” With that, she wriggled provocatively.
Jason set his book aside again, his hands gently resting on her waist, “Speak up if there’s something
on your mind.”
Estre beamed, “No reason, I’m just happy.” She hadnded a big case today.
Estre’s clear-eyed disy of affection softened Jason’s resolve. Once upon a time, she loved to
yfully bother him like this.
Holding Estre, listening to her talk about work until she grew drowsy, Jason finally turned off the
lights. It had been a long time since they’d had such a calm and peaceful conversation.
Saturday.
On Hector’s birthday, Estre was working overtime meeting clients. It wasn’t until Drew called that she
left the client’s office, ready to head home and change.
When she arrived downstairs, Jason’s car was already parked by the curb.
Their rtionship had thawed a bit since the hospital incident, where Jesse had scolded him, and
Kristin revealed the check matter.
Opening the passenger door, Estre quipped with a smirk, “Looking sharp today.”
Jason retorted, “When am I not?”
Estreughed, “You’re something else.”
By six-thirty, they arrived at the hotel. Most of the guests were already there.
welled
Jason kept Estre by his side all evening, wishing his grandfather well. It was the first time in two
years of marriage that they appeared so close in public. Autumn’s eyes up with emotion, thinking
Estre’s hard times had finally paid off.
Their joint appearance sparked whispers and curiosity, but the guests, all from the same social circle,
kept their musings discreet out of respect for Hector’s celebration.
Since Jason and Estre knew many of the attendees, conversations flowed easily. Just as they
finished greeting a group of elders, Pa burst from behind them,tching onto Jason’s arm,
“Jason, you’re here already. I was waiting for you at the door forever.”
Pa’s dramatic entrance darkened Jason’s expression instantly. He brushed off the arm she clung to.
“Jason, are you disgusted by me?” After noticing Estre beside him, Pa frowned,
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“Estre?”
Surprised to see them together, since they were known to be at odds, Pa quickly wrapped Jason’s
arm again, her voice tinged with indignation, “Jason, Estre is so vicious and sneaky. She started a
fight at the bar, and then she had the nerve to call the police first. Jason, she’s too cunning. You should
divorce her soon, or you’ll get bad luck.” Estre cracked her knuckles, “Looks like I didn’t hit you hard
enoughst time.”
Pa, frightened, hid behind Jason, “Jason, see how violent she is? If you don’t divorce her, she might
end up abusing you.”
Jason’s sore spot seemed to have been hit. He had been a victim of domestic violence before and
ended up in the hospital.
Pulling Pa from behind him, he looked at Estre, “If you want to hit her, I won’t stop you.”
“Jason,” Pa whined, reaching for his arm again.
Estre, unimpressed, grabbed Pa’s arm and tossed it aside, “Touch him again, I dare you.”
Pa sneered, “Can’t I touch him? You think Jason’s really yours? Did you even have a wedding?
Does anyone acknowledge you as his wife? What right do you have to strut around here, Estre?”
Pa had investigated Estre and Jason’s rtionship more thoroughly than their own
parents.
The couple had been hitched for over two years, sharing a bed for only a handful of nights. She knew
the tally better than Estre herself.
guts,
Before Estre could get a word in, Pa, with her nose in the air, taunted, “What? Not letting me
touch him, trying to stake your im? Come on, Estre, if you’ve got the call Jason ‘hobby’ and see if
he ys along.”
Pa was convinced that Jason had no affection for Estre, and he wouldn’t acknowledge her
attempt. That was why, at the bar the other night, she had thrown the same challenge at Estre.
As Pa’s words hung in the air, Estre turned her gaze towards Jason and called out, “Hubby?”
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