Startled, Estre inquired, “Why did youe here?”


    With a nonchnt air, Jason replied, “Can’t Ie over for a meal?”


    Estre propped herself up on her elbows and chuckled, “It’s just that you haven’te by in the past


    couple of years, so forgive me for being a bit flustered.”


    Jason gazed at Estre intently. Though she was smiling, something seemed off to him.


    Getting out of bed, Estre neatly folded her sheets. With Jason engrossed in a book on the couch, she


    poured herself a ss of water and settled down at her desk to catch up on work.


    From the couch, Jason nced at Estre, sensing that something was amiss. They were both


    absorbed in their tasks until Autumn knocked and called them down for dinner.


    “Jason, it’s so rare for you to visit. Please, help yourself to more,” Autumn offered warmly, making


    Jason feel somewhat ufortable.


    Since marrying Estre, he hadn’t visited the Dorvold family often.


    As they dined, Cole and Jason struck up a conversation about work. Estre usually chimed in, but to


    she was engrossed in her phone, barely participating in the


    discussion.


    Noticing this, Autumn tapped Estre’s te with her fork. “Estre, what are you looking at on your


    phone during dinner?”


    “Just reviewing a case file,” Estre responded


    “Eat first. You can look at thatter. And it’s the holidays. Time to rx.” Autumn scolded gently.


    “Okay,” Estreplied, turning off her phone and focusing on her meal.


    Autumn continued to chide, “You and your work, always work…”


    After Autumn finished, Jason shot Estre a sidelong nce, but she seemed oblivious to him. In the


    past, Estre would be visibly excited by his visits, often yfully teasing him, but today, she hardly


    seemed to notice.


    Later, sensing Estre’s unusual silence, Autumn asked, “Estre, are you having trouble at work? If


    you’re unhappy, go back to thepany and help your dad. At least you won’t have to deal with


    unpleasant attitudes.”


    Estreughed it off, “Mom, stop worrying. Work’s never gotten the better of me.” Although she was a


    neer to the legal field, Estre had an unbeaten record in her


    cases.


    Catching Jason’s eye, she encouraged him with a smile, “Don’t be shy. Eat up.”


    After dinner, around eight, the young couple spent a little time with Cole and Autumn. before heading


    upstairs. Estre retrieved some clothes from the wardrobe and asked Jason, “You’re not going back


    tonight?”


    In their t


    two years of marriage, Jason had never stayed the night at her ce.


    Jason, emotionless as ever, retorted, “Am I not wee to stay?”


    Estreughed, “Of course you are.”


    Her words were weing, but her demeanor was different. She no longer teased Jason. Normally,


    she would have made suggestivements by now, leaving Jason flushed with embarrassment.


    She then offered, “You can use the bathroom here. I’ll go to the guest room.”


    Normally, she would have suggested they shower together.


    As he watched Estre leave the bedroom, Jason’s expression grew pensive. This was not the usual


    Estre; she was hiding something. Despite her smiles and warmth, something was off.


    When Estre returned from the guest room, Jason was already in bed, having finished washing up.


    Estre pulled up a chair at the desk and said, “I’ve got case files to go through. You get some rest.”


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Jason set down his book and looked at her. “Not insisting on bearing my kid today?” For the six hours


    he had been in her presence that day, Estre hadn’t teased him once, nor mentioned having sex.


    Usually, she would have taken advantage of the romantic evening, but now she was focused on work.


    Jason’s question prompted Estre to reply, “You can’t be obsessed with that every day. There’s work


    to do.” She then continued to peruse her case files.


    Jason got up and approached her, cupping her face to make her look at him. “Estre, something’s on


    your mind.”


    He had known her for 23 years, ever since she was born. He could usually read her emotions.


    Estre caught Jason’s wrist, amused. “So you’re not used to me not harassing you?”


    She was about to mention the natural mood swings women would experience when Jason pulled her to


    her feet. Estre steadied herself and teased, “Feeling frisky? nning to force me?”


    Estreughed; she had barely said anything today. How could she be used of sarcasm?


    Their eyes met and seeing Jason’s determined look, Estre chuckled, “Do I really have to beg you to


    have sex?”


    Jason’s expression darkened, and he gripped Her face tighter. Estre winced and pushed his hand


    away. “I saw you this morning with someone else.” She didn’t borate further.


    Realizing she meant his encounter with Serene and Vincent, Jason rxed his aggressive stance and


    exined, “I told you. I owed her a favor.”


    Estre shot back, “That’s your business, Jason, but I have the right to be unhappy. I don’t have to


    grovel for your affection.”


    Jason didn’t like that response. “Estre, you’re being unreasonable.”


    Estre couldn’t help but let out augh tinged with disbelief. “Jason, why do you think! should be


    groveling for your attention when I see you spending time with another girl on a


    bills?” holiday? Did I ever take a dime from you, or have you been footing my


    Thest thing she wanted was to get into a spat with him, let alone bring up


    the top


    topic. All she wanted was to give him the cold shoulder, but he wouldn’t stop hounding her. Since when


    had it be a crime for her not to please him, not to tease him?


    Jason’s voice cut through the air, icy and sharp. “Estre, have you been just toying with me all this


    time?”