When Estre realized the figure lurking in the shadows was Jason and not some apparition, she
clutched at her chest with a dramatic sigh of relief. “Jesus, Jason, are you insane? Who in their right
mind prowls around at this ungodly hour without sleep?”
Jason still leaned against the opposite door frame, watching Estre. He said, “You’ve got some nerve,
Estre.”
This was his turf, but she’d had the audacity to lock him out. Last time, she’d booted him out of
Waterfall Acres and had the gall to call security on him.
Everybody from their hometown to the far reaches of society knew not to mess with Jason. If someone
crossed Jason, then he could hold a grudge that mightst a day, a year, or hell, maybe even a lifetime.
While Thomas and Bryce buttered him up, they badmouthed him behind his back. They’d say Jason’s
heart was cker than coal, wicked through and through, and there was no need to prove it. They had
taken enough k from him over the years. Yet, this guy, somehow, always ended up on the losing end
with her. Despite their shes, Jason had even humbled himself before her on asions – subtly, but
it was there. Holly had never received such treatment.
Suppressing a yawn, Estre taunted him, “What, you think everyone’s like you, all talk and no game?”
That was a low blow, and Jason felt it.
As Estre turned to walk away, Jason reached out and grabbed her arm. “What do you mean? If you
don’t mind your words, I will spank some sense into you!”
Estre spun around. Her face was inches from his. “Go on, try it. But let me warn you. If I end up
dead, my soul will haunt you for eternity”
She’d have starved herself rather than face him if she’d known he’d be lurking about.
With her usual feisty defiance, Estre shrugged him off. “Whatever, Jason. I’ve got no time for this.”
Descending the stairs, she made her way to the kitchen. The household, including Marie, had long
since retired for the night. Estre didn’t have the heart to wake anyone, so she fumbled around the
kitchen on her own. Her culinary skills were…cking, to put it mildly. The can of ham remained
unopened, and her attempt at slicing corned beef ended with uneven, ragged strips.
Amidst the ng and tter of her battle with the can, Jason’s voice floated over, dripping with
sarcasm. “Are you trying to wake up everyone?”
Already frazzled, Estre spun around with a scowl. “Why are you haunting me? Can’t you
find someone else to bother?”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Anyone would think you’re chopping up a body.”
With a few deft moves, Jason took over, popping open the mangled can and slicing the ham with ease,
then neatly re-slicing the corned beef.
Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.
Estre watched, with her arms crossed, making no effort to hide her amusement. “So, what is it this
time? You want me to y house at the Nelson estate?”
For over two years, Jason had only sought her out under family pressure, using Drew as a go-between
for their little charades.
Jason prepared the noodles without batting an eye. “You really think I’m dying to put on a show for
them?”
Even the big shots couldn’tmand Jason’s attention unless he felt like it.
Estre gave him a thumbs-up, feigning admiration before teasing, “If you stop dragging me into your
dramas, I’ll be impressed.”
In response, Jason stuffed a piece of raw ham into her mouth. She was about to spit it out when the
vor hit her, and she decided to swallow instead.
Soon, Jason served up the pasta in the living room. Estre didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbing fork
and digging in. Jason watched her, feigning disgust. “Ever heard of manners?”
Ignoring him, Estre scrolled through her phone with one hand and ate pasta with the other, not giving
him a second nce.
Jason snatched the phone from her, and she looked up, feigning nonchnce. “If you’re so interested,
take a look.”
He rifled through her photos, videos, call logs work, work, and more work. Checking her Messenger, he
found mostly business chats and frequent conversations with her mom, Jesse, and Bryce. Her contact
with Korey was minimal, practically nonexistent.
Noticing that she’d pinned her parents, Jesse and Bryce, and their group chat at the top of Messenger,
while he wasn’t even a blip on her radar, Jason felt a twinge of annoyance. He promptly pinned his own
contact to the top of her list.
Estre, still focused on her meal, watched Jason’s investigative frenzy. “If I knew you
were nning a raid, I would stage some juicy evidence.”
Jason’s face darkened, and he tossed the phone back at her. She caught it, saw what he’d done, and
laughed openly. “Got no shame, huh?”
Jason red. “Try removing it.”
With a smirk, Estre removed it, and then deliberately showed it right in front of him.
11:32
He stared at her. His expression was chilling. Without a word, he stood up and took her bowl of pasta.
Estre clung to her bowl, downing thest of the broth. “I’m done anyway.”
Jason thought he could trade a bowl of noodles for a top spot on her Messenger? He clearly
undervalued her.
As she hurriedly sipped thest of the broth, Jason stared at her with disdain.
Shortly after ascending the staircase, Estre, having once again double-locked the door,
found that this time Jason had unlocked it.
On the bed, Estre was getting ready to lie down and catch some more z’s. But seeing Jason enter,
her expression soured instantly. “What now? Haven’t you had enough?”
She didn’t wait for Jason to speak, reaching dismissively for her smartphone. “Fine, I’ll pin you back on
Messenger, okay? Now get out. I have to visit a client at the prison tomorrow.”
Jason ignored her irritation and ced a ss of warm water and a few pills on her bedside table.
“Stomach medicine.”
He set the pills down, and Estre paused. Her gaze lingered on him.
11:32