Estre spun around suddenly. “I’m here, Ryan.” Her voice was gentle, as tender as if she was
speaking to a newborn baby. At the sound of his name, the boy’s eyes rimmed with
red.
At home, they all referred to him as “Bad Luck” or “Goner,” or worse, “That Dying Kid.” Once he
escaped that house, the kinder folks would just call him “Kid,” but most hurled insults like “Devil’s
Spawn” or “Some Stray Mongrel.”
He stared at Estre, and his eyes brimmed with tears. He managed to say, “Ms. Estre, I looked up
thews before I killed them. Don’t get your hopes up, and please don’t work too hard. I’m afraid it’ll
just make you disappointed.”
Since his mother was taken from him, warmth was a stranger to him. He couldn’t remember what
kindness felt like.
Ironically, it was after he got locked up for his crime that the cops and the prison wardens treated him
with a dignity he’d never known. They didn’t despise him like the outside world did. Especially Estre,
she’d been so kind to him when nobody else had hope for him. But that made him scared scared that if
he didn’t make it, Estre would grieve.
Estre’s reassurance came with a soft smile. How would we know unless we try, right? We can’t leave
things to regret, can we?”
“Thank you, Ms. Estre.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
—
As Estre left, Ryan looked down at the pastries she’d brought him his favorite, egg tarts and
shortbread cookies. He’d once told her they were the best things in the world, so she made a point of
bringing him some every time they met.
His eyes moistened as he picked up a cookie and took a bite, remembering how she told him there
would be a chance to taste even better things in the future. Despite all the delicacies in the world, he
had no longing for it. If there was anything he dreaded, it was the thought of his Ms. Estre being
upset.
Outside the visiting room, the staff didn’t rush Ryan back to his cell. Instead, they waited until he
finished his pastries before escorting Him back.
When Estre got into Bryce’s car after leaving the prison, her mood was still heavy. Bryce squeezed
her cheek yfully. “Feeling down? That’s not my E.”
Estre swatted his hand away. “Just let me be sad for a bit. Don’t ruin the atmosphere.”
He ruffled her hair. “I just hate to see you unhappy.”
She flicked his hand away again. “Go y in traffic, will you?”
11:32
Bryce fell silent, not wanting to disturb her further. He wasn’t as emotionally involved in Ryan’s case he
hadn’t met the kid, nor was he as sentimental..
–
His quiet was a sign of concern. He feared the oue of the case wouldn’t be what Estre hoped
for, and how much that would hurt her. This wasn’t one of her usual divorce cases or civil disputes. This
was about lives.
Turning to Estre, who let out a slow breath, Bryce tousled her hair again. “Just do your best, and try
not to overthink.”
Estre looked at him as he started the car. “Ryan told me not to get my hopes up.” If Ryan hadn’t said
that, she might not have been as affected. But after he had, Estre felt even more determined to try, to
create a small miracle if possible.
Bryce didn’t offer any morefort, just massaged the back of her neck in a gesture of
support.
Estre chuckled, “Now you’re the quiet one. Not so loud and boisterous now, huh?”
Bryce, with his hands on the wheel, casually scratched his head. “Who’s loud and boisterous all the
time? That would be exhausting.”
Estre regained her usual demeanor. “Enough chit-chat. Take me back to the firm, will you?”
“Remember to eat lunch. Don’t make me remind you for every meal.”
“I got it, Dad Bryce.”
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
“That’s just awful to hear.”
Half an hourter, Estre was back in the office, discussing the ‘case progress and her thoughts with
the director, who said, “Estre, letting you handle Ryan’s case was to give you exposure to different
types of cases. But you’ve taken this to heart.”
“You can put effort into the work, but keep your emotions in check,” he said with gravity.
Estre smiled. “I understand.”
The director nodded. “By the way, we’ve got a businessworking event this weekend in the southern
suburbs. We’ve got a few spots avable. You and Arden, along with Drew from the second team,
should go. After your recent wins, it’s a good opportunity tond some legal representation deals.”
“Sounds good.”
After saying that, Estre returned to her office to continue working.
Eight hours had passed. While her colleagues had left for the day, Estre was still at her desk,
working overtime. Her dedication was one of the reasons the managing partner
11:32
valued her so much.
At Sandalwood Oasis, Jason had just arrived home and noticed Estre wasn’t there yet. His
expression darkened. “Estre’s not back?”
Marie replied, “I just called Ms. Estre, and she’s still at the firm working on a case. She said she’d be
home once she’s done.”
Jason was somewhat relieved to hear that Estre would be home that evening. But remembering how
she had thrown away the breakfast he had bought for her, his heart sank again. It was rare for him to
extend kindness, but she had discarded it like it meant nothing.
Marie handed Jason a small stic bag. “Mr. Jason, I found this in the trash when cleaning your room
this morning. Are you or Ms. Estre feeling unwell? Should we visit the hospital?”
Jason took the stic bag that Marie handed him, peering inside to find the pills he’d given Estre the
night before. His expression remained stoic, and his demeanor was as frosty as a winter’s day in
Maine. Without returning the medicine, he remarked. indifferently, “Nobody’s feeling under the
weather.”
Marie, noting Jason’sck of reaction, echoed his sentiment with a casual, “Good to hear no one’s
sick,” before bustling off to tend to her tasks.
Mounting the stairs, Jason yanked off his tie, rolling it around his palm as his face set into a palpable
scowl.
It was past eleven when Estre finally trudged home, weary to the bone. The housey in hushed
stillness. Pushing open the bedroom door, she found Jason awake. His eyes were casting a chilly re
toward the entrance. Startled, she greeted him with a yful, “Hey! You’re still up?”
She hadn’t nned on returning to Sandalwood Oasis that evening, but knowing Jason’s temperament
all too well, she was certain that if she didn’te back, he’d be picking locks in the dead of night. So
Estre decided to juste home.
Jason was that kind of ornery. If you gave him the cold shoulder, he’d be all over you seeking attention.
But if you showed up and clung to him, he’d dodge you like you were the gue.
She could bet herst dor that if she stayed for just three days, Jason would vanish into
thin air.
With Ryan’s case looming and the trial about to start, Estre didn’t want to waste her energy on
endless bickering, so she chose to return and keep the peace.