“I know Jason came looking for you,” Bryce said with a hint of concern in his voice, “but Serene’s little


    brother got hit by the principal’s carst night. I think my brother might head back to Ravenwood, so I


    came over.”


    Estre paused for a moment upon hearing Bryce’s words, and then let out a sarcasticugh. She


    recalled when she had juste out of the bathroom, Jason had suddenly vanished. So that was the


    reason.


    Bryce quickly tried to console her, “Estre, don’t overthink it. Maybe I got it wrong.” In truth, he had


    indeed heard that Jason had left the hotel at that time. Fearing that Estre might be troubled, he had


    come over.


    Estre smirked, “This isn’t the first time. I’m used to it by now.”.


    “Estre, there’s something else I’ve got to confess,” Bryce continued, with a hint of apprehension. “But


    you gotta promise not to get mad or hit me after I tell you.”


    Estre’s gaze turned frosty. “Spill it.”


    Bryce saw


    the stern look in her eyes and blurted out, “That morning when I went to see you, Korey called you, and


    I told my brother about that. He probably came after you the day before yesterday because of what I


    said. Estre, I swear, it wasn’t on purpose. I just… said it casually.”


    Bryce’s scaredy-cat demeanor made Estre dismiss it. “Fine, you came all this way to keep me


    company and even brought breakfast, I’ll let it slide.”


    But deep down, she knew whether Bryce snitched or not, Jason would have his suspicions and


    would’vee anyway. It was hard to tell which of the two was being the troublemaker.


    Around eleven, after her IV at the hospital, Bryce took Estre to a tasty local diner. She rested in the


    car for a bit. Then they headed to the school Ryan had attended for two years, gathering more


    information. It wasn’t until after nine in the evening that they returned to the hotel at the town center to


    rest.


    Worried that Estre might feel unwell again, Bryce insisted on staying in the same room. Estre, with


    no other choice, agreed to let him sleep on the rickety sofa.


    In the middle of the night, Estre woke up a couple of times. Seeing Bryce curled up on the sofa, she


    couldn’t help but smile warmly. Her good friends were few, but having Bryce and Jesse was enough for


    a lifetime.


    The next two days were simr: Bryce made sure Estre got her IVin the morning, and they spent the


    afternoons together, chasing leads. With Bryce by her side, Estre felt more at ease, not having to


    worry about catching buses or food.


    11:32


    By Friday, once Estre wrapped up her work trip, Bryce drove her back to Ravenwood. The journey


    was long. Estre suggested they take turns driving so he could rest, but Bryce was reluctant, pointing


    out that she was still sick.


    So, for the five-hour drive, he was behind the wheel while Estre snacked and napped in the


    passenger seat.


    When Estre woke up around nine in the evening, they had arrived in Ravenwood and were on their


    way to Sandalwood Oasis. She yawned and said, “Don’t go to Sandalwood Oasis. Let’s go to Waterfall


    Acres.”


    During these days, she hadn’t mentioned her fight with Jason to Bryce, but that didn’t mean it hadn’t


    happened. Often, the things Estre didn’t talk about were the ones she was most disappointed by.


    What was more, she hadn’t been in top form during their argument when she wasn’t feeling well,


    feeling like she hadn’t won the fight.


    Hearing Estre’s request, Bryce didn’t ask why, simply replying, “Sure thing, E.”


    Twenty minutester, when they arrived at the expansive Waterfall Acres apartment, Jesse had already


    come over. She prepared a soup for Estre, and ordered an array of fruits and takeout.


    “Jesse, it smells amazing! I could just kiss you” Bryce eximed as he stepped in and was greeted by


    the aroma of Jesse’s cooking, opening his arms for a hug.


    Jesse, dressed in a sleek ck outfit with a stylish design, saw Bryce lunging towards her and kicked


    out. “Back off. Don’t get cozy with me.”


    Jesse’s rejection left Bryce with a hurt look. He turned to Estre to plead his case, “Estre, see how


    heartless she is? I’ve been running around for days, drove for hours to get back, but she won’t give me


    anyfort.”


    Estre, hearing Bryce’sint, slowly took off her jacket, rolled up her sleeves, and cracked her


    knuckles. “How about Ifort you instead?”


    Bryce went pale. “No, that’s okay.”


    After chatting with Jesse and Bryce for a bit, Estre went to freshen up. When she returned, Bryce


    had already showered and was lounging in his pajamas on the couch. while Jesse massaged his


    shoulders.


    The three of them were just the same as when they were at school.


    Later, at the dinner table, after Bryce told Jesse about Jason’s midnight return to Ravenwood, Jesse’s


    stylishly short hair seemed to bristle with anger. She said, “Estre, Jason is really out of line. I don’t


    think you should keep putting up with him.”


    Bryce chimed in, egging her on, “Exactly, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why do your have to stick


    with him? He doesn’t see your worth; he doesn’t deserve you.”


    11-22


    Meanwhile, at the hospital.


    Jason, with his hands in his pockets, watched Vincent return to the room and inexplicably sneezed.


    Serene turned to Jason with a soft voice, “Jason, you’ve been such a big help these past. days, and


    I’ve taken up so much of your time. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you and Drew.”


    Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. She was overwhelmed by the relentless troubles of the past


    years. With Jason’s support, she felt she could keep going, despite. the weight of it all.


    Jason casually tossed the tissue paper into the trash and said indifferently, “Vincent is young, he’ll


    recover quickly. With proper nutrition, there won’t be any impact on his growth.”


    “Absolutely!” Serene nodded vigorously, turning her gaze back to Vincent on the hospital bed. “Vincent,


    you better thank Jason for all he’s done.”


    “Jason, thank you.” Vincent, following Serene’s instruction, added obediently, “I’ll listen to my sister and


    take good care of my leg. I won’t cause her any trouble.”


    “And don’t fall behind on your studies, okay? Drew’s arranging a tutor toe over


    tomorrow.”


    “Thank you, Jason. And thanks, Drew.”


    Vincent had sustained his injury during a school activity when the principal’s car identally hit him. It


    fractured both the tibia and fib in his left leg. After several days in traction, he had juste out of


    surgery that afternoon.


    After


    r expressing the gratitude, Serene turned to Jason and said, “Jason, it’s gettingte. You should head


    back and get some rest.” She added with concern, “The weather’s turned a bit chilly. I noticed you


    sneezing earlier. Make sure you bundle up.”


    Jason acknowledged with a nonchnt “Mhm” bid Vincent farewell, and then made his way home.


    Serene walked him to his car, watching until it disappeared from view before reluctantly heading back


    upstairs to stay with Vincent.


    Oh, how wonderful it would be if she could actually be with Jason. But then again, Jason had always


    been so good to her, and he was always there to lend a hand whenever her family needed it.


    With this thought, Serene gently touched her face with her left hand, smiling with contentment. Maybe


    there was still hope for her and Jason after all!


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Half an hourter, Jason arrived back at Sandalwood Oasis to find the house eerily quiet,


    as if it was missing its usual vibrancy. He turned to Marie and asked, “Estre isn’t back