After hearing it, Estre’s face immediately soured at the mention of a breakup. “Breakup? For
heaven’s sake, I haven’t been out with another guy, so who’s he breaking up with?”
Thomas offered a theory, “Maybe his heartache’s not about you”
Estre paused, thinking back to how Jason had beening home every single night, regardless of
the hour. It seemed he had taken a hit to the ego; someone had given him the cold shoulder. No
wonder he had been moping around with a face like thunder.
With arms crossed tightly over her chest, Estre nced down at Jason and, in a swift motion, kicked
him.
“Estre, cut it out!” Thomas intervened hastily “Don’t go breaking Jason. I’ll be the one med for it,
used of being the kicker.”
Then he added, “E, give me a hand, will ya? I can’t lift him by myself.”
Estre scoffed, “Lift him yourself. It’s a miracle I haven’t chucked him out already, considering his
darling isn’t even me.”
As Estre finished speaking, Jason tried to heave himself up from the couch but promptly plopped
back down. Themas let out a sigh. “He’s been feeling down for days. My friend said it’s ssic
heartbreak blues, and I reckon he’s hit the nail on the head.”
Estre snorted derisively. Heartbreak? Jason was really moving up in the world. Whether it was
Serene or some old me he couldn’t shake, Estre didn’t care to ponder anymore. It definitely wasn’t
her.
“Where’s Serene? Have they been together these past few days?” Estre inquired.
“Haven’t seen her. They probably had a spat, which is why Jason’s been down in the dumps. Who
knows when he’ll snap out of it. I’ve never seen him like this,” Thomas exined.
Listening to Thomas, Estre withdrew her gaze coldly and pulled out her phone to call Serene.
“Serene, get yourself over to Sandalwood Oasis.” Without waiting for a reply, Estre hung up.
Thomas was puzzled. “E, why are you dragging Serene over here?” He had brought Jason back to
Sandalwood Oasis to create an opportunity for the two of them, but she seemed oblivious to it.
Estre tossed her phone aside and spoke with cool detachment, “I can’t sober Jason up, and I sure as
heck can’t untangle his heartaches.”
Thomas pushed further, “Then in this situation, you should be more careful. You really done with
Jason?”
12:47
Estre smirked, “If his heart’s not in this house, no safeguarding will help. Besides, adversity breeds
romance. The more I interfere, the deeper they’ll fall. And honestly, after all these years, I’m tired of
interfering. Let them sort it out. Jason can make his own choices.”
As Estre’s words hung in the air, a drunken Jason mumbled something
iprehensible. Estre didn’t catch it and turned to look at Thomas. He tranted, “Serene, Jason’s
looking for Serene.”
Hearing this, Estre let out a mockingugh. What devotion! When Jason sobered up tomorrow, he’d
surely have a heartfelt “thank you” for Thomas’ assistance.
Half an hourter, Serene arrived in a flurry, d in pajamas and slippers, asking anxiously, “Estre,
what’s wrong with Jason?”
Serene’s urgent appearance made Estre suddenly feel superfluous. ncing at Jason, she said,
“Jason’s had too much to drink. Thomas thinks it’s because of you. Sort it out.” Serene’s face fell.
“Estre, could there be some misunderstanding here?”
Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“I’m heading upstairs. If you need help, call Marie,” Estre said as she left them to it.
As Estre ascended the stairs, Thomas couldn’t help but admire her. Such magnanimity was
something he couldn’t rival even with all his masculinity.
Estre was such a fine wife, but Jason didn’t know how to cherish her. What more could he want? She
deserved a national award for best spouse.
After Estre’s departure, Thomas looked back at Jason and caught Serene’s eye.
Serene was at a loss for words, so Thomas offered, “I’ll help you get Jason to the
bedroom.”
Serene snapped back to reality. “Yes, please.”
At the end of the hallway, Estreid awake in the second bedroom. She rarely suffered from
insomnia. Life couldn’t go on like this. She couldn’t always watch Jason in a passionate tangle with
someone else.
Whether she’d ever be a mother, she had done all she could. If it wasn’t in her cards, she’d have
to ept it.
This was the first time she had seen him so helplessly drunk. If it wasn’t for an overwhelming love, an
inability to let go, he wouldn’t be tormenting himself like this. His devotion exhausted her. She felt
utterly powerless.
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Serene stayed awake all night by Jason’s side. Every breath of air,
every object, carried Jason’s scent. To Serene, it all felt like a dream. If not for tonight’s mishap, she
might never have stepped foot in Sandalwood Oasis, never have watched over Jason like this.
???
12:47
“Jason,” she whispered tenderly. Her hand was resting lightly on his forehead, and her voice was filled
with gentle satisfaction.
Estre and Thomas had imed Jason’s drunken state was because of her. She clutched his hand
tightly. Her eyes shone brightly with hope.
The next day, Jason awoke with a pounding headache and a throat as dry as a bone. He felt terrible all
over, barely remembering being helped into a car by Thomas and having a vague dream about
Estre.
“Jason, you’re awake!” Serene rushed to assist him. Her voice tinkled like a bell. “Does your head hurt
a lot?”
Jason’s expression flickered with annoyance at her voice. Realizing he was in his bedroom and Serene
was holding his hand, he quickly withdrew it. “How did you get in here?”
Serene’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she watched Jason retract his hand. She rubbed her
hands nervously against her jeans and exined,
You had a bit too much to drinkst night, and Estre called me toe over and take care of you.”
Jason’s lips drained of color. Was Estre being too open-minded?
Seeing the change in Jason’s expression, Serene asked with concern, “Jason, are your feeling alright?”
“I’ll have my driver drive you home,” Jason replied. His voice was deep and chilling, cutting through the
silence like a de in the night, seizing her breath away.
Serene had stayed up all night to look after him, barely blinking an eye, but now he woke up, and his
first move was to send her away with the driver. How was she supposed to face Estre after this?
Where would she put her dignity?
Swallowing hard, Serene managed a forced smile. “I’ll go after you’ve had breakfast.”
Jason ignored her and picked up his phone from the table, dialing the driver’s number without giving
her another nce.
With her hands clenched into fists, Serene pondered how many more years it would take to get even a
step closer to him, to make him care for her, even just a little. She wanted to ask Jason something –
anything – but the courage failed her. She resigned herself to leave Sandalwood Oasis as he wished.
No sooner had Serene left the master bedroom than Jason strode down the hallway to the room at the
end.