Listening to the movement at the door, Estre tied her hair while looking in that direction. and asked,


    “Did you send your mom away?”


    After a moment, she stretched her neck, saying. “I’m stiff all over from the car ride. I’m going to take a


    quick shower.”


    As Estre gathered her clothes and headed to the bathroom, Jason’s gazended on the jewelry box


    atop her vanity. The memory of the ne he had angrily gifted to Serene made him rub his temples


    in frustration.


    Estre hadn’t brought up the ne, or fought with him over it, which somehow made. Jason feel


    even more unsettled.


    When Estre emerged from the bathroom, fresh from her shower, Jason returned from his own,


    toweling off his hair. His gaze lingered on her as she slipped into a ck silk nightgown that made her


    skin look even more luminous, its sash tied casually to entuate her figure.


    For a moment, Jason’s hand froze midway through drying his hair.


    Unbothered, Estre walked over to her desk and began jotting down her thoughts on a case that had


    been on her mind, oblivious to Jason’s staring.


    Jason dropped the towel on the nightstand and approached her, trapping her between his arms and the


    desk. “Estre, about that rain check from the resort-you promised to make. it up to me. Is tonight the


    night?”


    He had handled Rachel, and Estre had said she’d repay him with interest. But with their busy


    schedules, they hadn’t found the time, and the promise was left unfulfilled.


    Estre pushed him gently away, her focus still on her work. “Can’t you see I’m busy here?” She was


    serious now. “Ryan’s case goes to trial tomorrow, and who knows which way the judge will lean. Why


    don’t you go out with Zach and Grayson for a drink?”


    Jason’s expression darkened, a sh of irritation crossing his face. “How generous of you,” he muttered


    bitterly.


    When he wasn’t around, she was upset. Now that he was here, she seemed indifferent.


    Estre nced back at him, flipping through case files. “Ryan’s case is the first criminal one I’ve taken


    and the first where a life hangs in the bnce. I’ve prepared a lot for this.”


    She paused, the heaviness in her voice betraying her concern for Ryan, who was so young when his


    mother was killed.


    Estre’s dedication


    was evident, and Jason tried to reassure her. “Just do


    your best.


    Don’t


    ut so much pressure on yourself.”


    She smiled faintly and suggested he get some rest.


    Jason ruffled her hair affectionately before picking up a book and settling into bed. As he alternated


    between reading and watching Estre, now dressed in her nightgown and silver-framed sses, he


    found the sight quite pleasing. It made him wonder if it was time to let go of past grievances.


    Time passed, and when Estre finally finished her work, she yawned, stretched, and stood up.


    Noticing Jason still awake, she teased, “Waiting for me?”


    He nodded, his attention now fully on her as she sat on the bed’s edge, rubbing her cold feet against


    his warmth. “I’ve done what I can for now,” she said. “I’m trying to approach Ryan’s case from the angle


    of his mental state, but I still can’t get a definitive diagnosis.” Estre sighed, hoping the judge would be


    lenient and give Ryan a chance at a better future.


    Estre was usually a light-hearted soul on weekdays, seldom showing her serious side, but at this


    moment, as she earnestly discussed her work-rted matters with Jason, he felt a stirring in his heart.


    Ever since their wedding, such tranquil andposed conversations had be a rarity between


    them.


    Jason put away his book and asked, “Are you aiming for a manughter verdict?”


    She turned to him, her eyes searching. “I’ve argued it, but the prosecution insists on retaliation. I’m


    focusing on his depressive upbringing, but weck concrete evidence.”


    “I’ve never felt sopelled to save someone, she confessed, her voice tinged with emotion, unlike


    when she dealt with her own loneliness in their marriage.


    Logan and Drew had warned her that Ryan might face immediate execution, but Estre hoped for


    understanding from others about his life circumstances.


    Jason embraced her, kissing her forehead. “Your efforts won’t go unnoticed.”


    Estre leaned against him, grateful for his support. “I hope so.”


    He turned off the lights, urging her to rest before the trial.


    “Alright,” she agreed, crawling under the covers. But her thoughts weighed heavily on her, and she


    tossed and turned, unable to sleep.


    Jason, disturbed by her restlessness, pulled her close. “Don’t stress too much, Estre.”


    She faced him, her voice filled with frustration. “I wasn’t even this worried about my


    exams.”


    As she reflected on the past, Jason tried to lighten the mood. “With all the lessons


    Grayson and I gave you, you had no reason to worry.”


    Estre was the kind of student who could usually be found catching up on her beauty sleep rather


    than hitting the books. But when exams loomed on the horizon, she’d hit up Jason and Grayson for a


    crash course, cramming in somest-minute salvation.


    When the big tests rolled around, she’d st through them like a rockstar. Come graduation, she


    snagged the title of salutatorian for the entire city. Her intellect was the stuff of legend within their


    clique.


    Jason couldn’t help but bring up her school-day shenanigans, prompting an outburst ofughter from


    Estre. “Yeah, I was pretty wild back then,” she admitted with a chuckle.


    As they reminisced, Jason noticed Estre’s distraction and decided to change tack. “So, you don’t


    have anything to say about the gift I picked out for Serene?” he asked suddenly.


    Over the past couple of years, the more magnanimous Estre was in their marriage, the more it


    gnawed at Jason’s conscience.


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