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 y your knight in


    shining armor, and now I’m expected to be your baby-making machine? Keep dreaming, sweetheart.”


    Estre continued to tease, her voice yful, “You just lie back and rx. I can handle the heavy


    lifting.”


    Jason’s expression darkened as he lobbed the towel at her. “Estre, 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 darey a finger on you?”


    Estre’sugh was steady andposed, “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?’


    Estre prodded further, “You defended me so passionately today. Got a bit of baby fever, have you?”


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Jason’s face turned stony. “Do you think I’d let the Lamontsmand me around without


    consequence?”


    He was all about pride, Estre knew, and she was just using the opportunity to flirt.


    Just as Estre 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. Estre.” The voice of the middle-aged woman on the other end broke into sobs.


    Estre 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 Estre’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 nce, convinced Estre was just teasing him, devoid of


    sincerity.


    An hourter, Estre finished the call, visibly drained. She yawned, stretched, and slid under the


    covers, “I’m hitting the hay first.”


    When Estre burrowed into the bed, Jason kicked her lightly with his foot. He had waited for her for


    over an hour, expecting some yful 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


    Estre had stormed the Lamonts and given Pa a piece of her mind. Only when they felt Estre


    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 dayster, while the nation celebrated a long holiday, Estre 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.


    Estre, it’s really inconsiderate of me to drag you out at this time, but I hardly find time otherwise.”


    Estre 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 Estre’s dedication and responsibility.


    With a word of thanks, Estre 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?”


    “Jason…”


    Despite the wide street between them, Estre could almost hear their conversation.


    The woman noticed Estre’s halted attention and followed her gaze, asking, “Ms. Estre, 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 Estreugh wryly to herself before replying with a nonchnt, “Acquaintances.”


    That was all she and Jason were now, acquaintances.


    As Estre got into her car, the woman added onestment about Jason’s impressive presence


    and how Serene seemed mismatched with him.


    Estre merely replied, “To each their own,” before saying her goodbyes and driving off, casting a final


    indifferent nce at Jason, who was gantly 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, Estre 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’te back with


    Estre. “No ns for a getaway during the holiday?”


    Estre, 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 youst time? No sparks flying between you two?”


    Autumn’s mention of the past prompted Estre to recall her recent encounter with Jason, and she


    couldn’t help but chuckle. “Asckluster as I may be, I’m still his wife. He wouldn’t turn his back on me.”


    Not keen on continuing the Jason topic, Estre quickly changed the subject. “Mom, what treats have


    you whipped up today? And how’s dad? What about that business deal he mentionedst time? Does


    he need me to take a look?”


    Estre, before graduating, had spent her holidays and internships in the family business, so she was


    well-acquainted with the ins and outs of thepany.


    Autumn replied, “I made your favorites. As for business, go check with your dad in the study.”


    With a nod and a brisk “Okay,” Estre made her way upstairs.


    It wasn’t long before father and daughter emerged from the study, ready to enjoy a meal together.


    After dinner, Estre 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?”