At that moment, Jason stood up, made his way over to Bryce, and patted him on the shoulder. “I’ve got
mad faith in you.”
Bryce offered, “Did E dump that agreement drafting gig on you? I’ll chat with her and get it sorted.
She’s a whiz with this legal stuff, being awyer and all.”
Jason’s hand pressed down firmly on Bryce’s shoulder, his words carrying weight, “You handled this
well. But step back from here on out.”
Who the hell was talking about divorcing Estre? Two years and despite some harsh words, he had
never mentioned divorce.
Leave it to Bryce, saying he’d y the mole for him, suss out Estre’s thoughts. Instead, he just threw
gas on the fire and brought back a pile of nonsense.
Estre received Bryce’s call while he was being hustled by Drew to board the train with. the group. On
the other end, Bryce was crying his eyes out, begging Estre to save him. All Estre could offer was
a sympathetic, “Bryce, take care of yourself. I’ll be here when you get back.” She added forfort, “If
your mom disowns you, I’ll take the hit and take you in.”
“E, save me. Go plead with Jason.”
“Mr. Bryce, please get on the train,” Drew’s voice came through, and the call with Bryce ended.
Listening to the dial tone, Estre was baffled. She had agreed to divorce, so why Jason still not letting
Bryce off the hook?
was
Unable to figure it out, Estre didn’t bother trying. She’d just wait until her vacation to check in on
Bryce.
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Just as she and Jason had started to mend their strained rtionship, it was on the rocks again.
Jason stoppeding home. Rumors of his scandals were everywhere. Yet, he still hadn’t brought up
the divorce.
Two dayster, after wrapping up a civil dispute case at the courthouse, Estre got a call from
Grayson. He was throwing a wee-back shindig for Korey the next night and wanted her to clear
her schedule.
“I’ve got a big case in court tomorrow. Can I swing by after it wraps up?” Estre asked.
“That’ll work.”
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Korey was hitting 29, the same age as Grayson, a few years older than the rest of the group. They all
grew up in the same circle, knew each other since they were kids. After being away for more than two
years, Korey’s return warranted a proper celebration. So, the next day, after court, Estre headed
straight to the karaoke bar for the second half of the festivities.
Half an hourter, she pushed open the door to the private room, where the party was in full swing, and
Thomas’ booming voice dominated the space. He’d organized the after-party, ensuring no one would
call it a night early.
ncing around the room, Estre noticed some new faces, and there, beside Jason, sat a girl with an
air of innocence. Estre was used to such scenes by now, numb to them.
“Estre.”
“Estre,e sit over here.”
Jesse waved her over, and Estre made her way over.
From a distance, Jason gave Estre a fleeting look, quickly averting his gaze. The annoyance from
the other day still lingered.
With Jason’s casual nce, the girl next to him took a longer look at Estre. Estre was so pretty, no
wonder Jason spared her a second nce.
As Estre approached, Jason didn’t greet her, and Estre acted as if she didn’t know him, which
made Korey’s brows furrow. Korey had heard about the marital troubles between Estre and Jason
but didn’t expect such coldness when they met, not even a
hello.
“Korey,” Estre greeted Korey across Jesse, and Korey asked, “Estre, have you had dinner?”
“I ate beforeing.”
Jesse, sensing an opportunity, joked, “Should I give you two some space?”
Korey just smiled, saying nothing.
On another couch, Jason watched the trioughing and chatting, and, irritated, he picked up a cigarette
and lighter from the coffee table and lit up.
Thomas, not wanting Korey to sit out, took to the mic and announced, “Let’s quit the small talk and y
a game together. No excuses, Korey. You’re in.”
The games in the karaoke bar were typical-dice, truth or dare.
With a crowd this size, Thomas suggested pairing up, with the losers of each round taking a drink or
answering a question.
Erik was the first to say, “Estre, Kelly and I will be in one group. You group up with
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Koreyn.” She seemed to be doing it on purpose this time.
Korey said, “I’ve got no problem, Estre, what about you?”
Estre generously said, “Okay!”
The girl next to Jason had been watching Estre, whispering, “Korey seems to like Ms. Estre very
much. His eyes are full of Ms. Estre.”
Estre was beautiful, and this girl had been watching Estre all night. She found that, Korey’s eyes
eyes were also full of Estre. Even though he tried his best to hide it, it couldn’t
be hidden.
Jason’s face became even gloomier. Damn it. Estre wasughing and talking with others right in front
of him..
However, Estre hadn’t done anything outrageous at the moment, and he didn’t wan to
seem petty.
In no time, the pairing was done, and everyone started rolling dice. The one with the highest number
could either punish others or ask others questions. The punished person. could choose to drink or
answer.
Jesse was usually being quiet and talking less, but when ites to drinking games, she’s good at it.
Every time she rolls the dice, she gets three sixes, always the winner. Tonight, she seemed to be at
odds with Jason. Every time she won, she would choose Jason to answer the question.
But Jason didn’t take it. Before Jesse could ask, he would pick up his wine ss and drink.
When Jesse rolled the highest number again, she turned to Jason again. This time, before Jason could
even raise his ss, Jesse chuckled and said, “Mr. Jason, this is the fourth time I’ve gged you down
tonight. If you keep drinking, it won’t be any fun.”
“Why don’t you give Jesse a chance to get to know you, Mr. Jason?”
“Jason, if you keep up this drinking, it’s really gonna kill the vibe.”
“Come on, Mr. Jason. Give us an answer, will ya?”
After Jesse threw down the gauntlet, the rest off the bunch chimed in.
The chatter was all over the ce, but Jason simply lifted his gaze to meet Jesse’s for a moment, and
he didn’t reach for his drink again.
Jesse, with her slicked-back hair looking sharp as ever, sized up Jason and threw out a zinger, “Jason,
are you a virgin?”
Pfft! As soon as Jesse dropped the question, Thomas couldn’t help it-his drink sprayed out in a burst of
laughter.
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Jason had been married for two years now. Was there a screw loose in Jesse’s head?
But the others looked intrigued. Jesse’s question hadyers to it, like a juicy scoop was about to unfold.
Meanwhile, Jason just stared at Jesse with an icy re, his expression sour enough to curdle milk. If
he admitted to being a virgin, it was as good as admitting something was off-kilter with him. But if he
said no, he’d essentially be confessing to Estre that he had indeed strayed.
For over two years, he had managed to remain an enigma to Estre, never letting her truly see
through him.
Jesse’s question was a real piece of work-sharp and loaded.
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