“Hmm?” Jason’s voice, mellifluous and soothing, answered with a touch of warmth and a hint of
flirtation.
The couple seemed to have an unspoken understanding, and before Pa could even process what
was happening, she was left dumbfounded once again.
Estre was doing this on purpose. Pa was sure of it. But there was Jason, ying right along with
her, responding so suggestively.
“Jason,” Pa said incredulously, staring at him as if he were a stranger. This wasn’t the
Jason she once knew.
Snapping back to reality, she turned to Estre. “Estre, you must have drugged Jason. I was going to
let you maintain your image and not call you out in front of everyone for
but you’re just too arrogant. You don’t even care about Jason’s
your s
feelings.”
With that, Pa whipped out her phone, scrolled through her gallery, and thrust it at Jason. “Don’t be
fooled by Estre’s prim and proper act, she’s been cheating on you. I’ve got proof of her indiscretions
right here. Take a look if you don’t believe me.”
Pa’s outburst drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Jason, hands casually pocketed, nced at Pa’s phone with detached interest. The pictures indeed
showed Estre looking a bit too cozy with another man.
At that moment, Pa red at Estre and seethed, “You’re done for this time, Estre.
Estre lowered her gaze and nced at the phone, then chuckled disdainfully. “I thought for a moment
you’d actually caught me in bed with someone.”
Her nonchnce only made Pa’s face redden with anger, “Jason, can brazen she is? Just listen to
her. It’s clear she’s been messing around.”
you believe how
Pa was beside herself with fury, but Jason, with a calm gaze, said, “The man in those pictures is
me.”
“What?” Pa was stunned. “That’s you in the pictures, Jason?”
Shocked, Pa looked closely at the phone and, indeed, the silhouette bore a striking resemnce to
Jason. “Jason, how can this be.” Pa stuttered, at a loss for words.
Estre, with her arms crossed, smirked, “Pa, if you can’t even recognize Jason, I guess I
overestimated your fondness for my husband”
The crowd snickered at Estre’sment.
When Pa first brandished the phone, Estre had immediately recognized the photos from the day
she was discharged from the hospital and Jason hade to pick her up.
15:22
Estre genuinely thought Pa wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.
“Estre, you…” With a pale face, Pa swung at Estre in a fit of rage. “Did you just mock me? I’ll
teach you a lesson.”
But before Pa’s hand could make contact, Jason had intercepted her arm. Turning to see Jason
holding her back, Pa’s eyes welled up, ready to protest, but Jason coldly released her. “You’re not
even worth touching her.”
His protectiveness brought tears to Pa’s eyes. “Jason, don’t be fooled by Estre. She’s no good,
and her marrying you is just…”
She was cut off by Jason’s ringing phone. Disinterested in her drama, Jason turned and answered the
call.
away
Meanwhile, whispers spread among the onlookers, with those in the know informing the clueless that
Estre had been married to Jason for two years.
Pa looked wronged, and Estre took two steps forward, leaning slightly towards Pa, whispering
in her ear. “Thank you so much for making my marriage to Jason public, Pa.”
Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Not many knew about her and Jason’s marriage, but thanks to Pa’s scene, that was likely to
change.
As Estre spoke, Pa retorted defiantly, “So what if you’re married? People get divorced all the time.
Who’s to say you won’t be next?”
Estre’s smile didn’t falter. “Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Pa was at a loss for words as Estre gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Save your
energy. The more you struggle, the more Jason will side with me.”
Pa mped her mouth shut and stormed off in search of her parents.
Once Pa left, Jason ended his call. He turned to Estre. “I’ve got to head out for a bit.”
Seeing his demeanor, Estre knew without asking that the call was from Serene. She caught his arm,
“Do you really have to go?”
Jason’s gaze softened just slightly, “Some one wille pick you upter.” With that, he gently
disengaged from her grasp.
Estre let out a self-deprecatingugh in her mind. There was no point in holding on to someone
whose heart was elsewhere.
She watched Jason depart, and remembering a small victory over Pa, Estre allowed herself a
sarcastic smile.
Once Jason had left, Estre found a corner to settle down and check her phone for legal documents.
The banquet hall suddenly erupted with excitement.
15:22
“Korey.”
“Korey.”
“Korey.”
Estre looked up and saw that familiar figure.
In the next second, she froze. Korey was back.
“Korey, I never expected you to make it tonight. I’m so pleased,” Hector said, grasping his hand. “By
the way, when did you get back?”
“Just got off the ne. Mr. Hector, I heard you were celebrating your birthday, so I came straight here.”
“You’re thoughtful, kid.”
“It’s the least I could do, especially since our families share so much history.”
“Indeed.”
Estre watched the scene from afar, choosing not to join the crowd. Instead, she turned her attention
back to her phone.
After the crowd dispersed, Estre said her goodbyes to Hector and left the party.
Outside the hotel, a brisk breeze wafted by, prompting Estre to wrap her arms around herself
instinctively.
She had arrived with Jason, but he had left early, leaving her stranded. Not in the mood to wait for
someone toe pick her up, Estre decided to hail a cab on her own. However, at this hour, it
seemed like an eternity before one would be avable.
“Estre.” As she lingered by the hotel entrance, a voice unexpectedly reached her ears.
15:23)