Estre handed Zoey a handful of tissues. She said soothingly, “First things first, let’s head to the


    hospital to check on your sister. Then we’ll gather clues and evidence to see what charges we can


    press that’ll stick.”


    “Thank you, Estre,” Zoey replied, her eyes reflecting the glimmer of hope she saw in Estre for


    justice for her sister.


    Estre had made a minor breakthrough in Ryan’s case, which had gotten some media coverage. Now,


    her acquaintances and old ssmates were paying more attention to her, feeling quite proud to know


    someone so aplished.


    Back in her school days, Estre was the talk of the campus. Now, all the schools she’d attended,


    especially Ravenwood College, boasted about her achievements.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Still young, Estre had a long road ahead with many more opportunities to make headlines, crack


    high-profile cases, and maybe even tackle international incidents. Her reputation was already up there,


    rivaling Jason’s on the global stage.


    But all that was a tale for another time.


    After visiting theatose Lexi at the hospital and reviewing the photos Zoey provided, Estre could


    almost confirm that Lexi had suffered domestic abuse. A thorough medical examination would likely


    reveal a history of older injuries.


    The photos Zoey snapped on the day Lexi was rushed to the hospital after falling from the third floor


    also showed clear marks on her neck, indicating strangtion. So, the truth of what happened that day


    went beyond a simple argument that led Lexi to jump. The full story behind her fall remained a mystery.


    Estre felt a weight in her heart as she sat at her desk with the evidence spread before her. She would


    asionally sh back to the moment Jason had pushed her.


    Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open, but she was so immersed in her work that she


    didn’t notice Jason’s entrance.


    Jason approached, carrying a steaming mug of hot milk, and ced it beside her, noting the sses


    perched on her nose as she delved into work. “Working on a new case?” he asked, as she had only


    recently taken a brief respite after wrapping up Ryan’s case.


    Without so much as ncing at Jason, Estre murmured, “Yeah. A high school friend thinks sister’s


    been a long-term victim of domestic abuse, and it escted to attempted


    murder.”


    At the mention of a ssmate, Jason tensed up. “Is this friend a guy or a girl?”


    Estre couldn’t help but chuckle, pausing her work to look at him and teasing, “A guy,” before adding


    with a smirk, “And there’s a personal angle, too.”


    11:33


    Jason’s expression darkened momentarily before Estre rified, “It’s a girl. What else were you


    thinking?” With that, Estre refocused on the evidence and case files.


    Having seen Lexi at the hospital, she decided to take the case. The exact charges were still under


    consideration, but Estre didn’t rule out the possibility of pushing for an attempted murder charge.


    Jason didn’t disturb Estre since she was absorbed in her work. He picked up a book with a gold-


    rimmed pair of sses and settled into bed to read.


    At midnight, as Estre stretched and prepared to wrap up, Jason intended to suggest it was time for


    bed.


    After clearing her desk, Estre sat down next to Jason, who turned to her with a question, “Doesn’t


    dealing with all this wrongdoing ever scare you? Aren’t you afraid it might affect you?”


    Estre smiled, “I’ve seen so much darkness, so I strive to keep my heart light. I hope that through my


    efforts, society can be just a little fairer.”


    Looking into her clear, bright eyes, Jason was reminded of how Estre once chased down a hit-and-


    run bus driver for two entire blocks in middle school. In college, she saved a child from being hit by a


    car, only to be mistaken for a criminal until the neighborhood surveince footage cleared her name.


    Those were just a few instances of Estre’s inherent bravery, which had only matured with her over


    the years.


    As Estre slipped off her jacket and crawled into bed, Jason turned off the light and wrapped his arms


    around her.


    Estre blocked him with her hands, “Not tonight. I’m not in the mood.” She really wasn’t feeling it,


    partly because she’d sent a sample for testing and partly due to the weight of the day’s case.


    “And besides,” she thought, “we should wait for the test results.”


    Jason tugged at her clothes yfully. “If you’re dealing with cases like this every day, are you ever


    going to be in the mood?”


    With her eyes closed, Estre promised, “Tomorrow, I’ll make it up to you.”


    She was truly exhausted from a night of sorting through evidence. “Why are you pulling at my pants? If


    you can’t control yourself, go to the bathroom.”


    “I’m not without a wife. Why would I go to the bathroom for that?”


    Despite her best efforts to resist, Estre still ended up conceding more than she


    intended, and if not for sheer fatigue, she might not have escaped his advances that


    night.


    11:33


    The next morning, amidst a busy schedule at thew firm, Estre received a call from the hospital. “Is


    this Estre? The results for the sample you submitted are in. You cane to pick them up,” the voice


    on the other end informed her.


    “Alright, I’ll be there shortly. Thank you,” Estre replied before hanging up and excusing herself to


    drive to the hospital.


    “Estre,” called the nurse, prompting her to rise from the waiting area and head to the


    office.


    The same obstetrician who had seen her before now handed her the diagnostic results, saying, “Your


    husband’s been on birth control. That’s why you haven’t conceived. But you’re still young, and there’s


    plenty of time to have childrenter if you wish. If you’re really eager to start a family now, just have a


    chat with your husband. After all, life’s pressures are pretty significant these days.”


    The doctor shared the results with Estre, offering advice and reassuring her that by today’s


    standards, 23 was still young to start a family. At her age, many young folks were just embarking on


    their careers, striving to make their mark in the world.


    “Dr. Robin, I can’t thank you enough,” Estre said with an outward calmness that belied the raging


    inferno of anger swirling within her.


    That scumbag, Jason, if he didn’t want kids, all he had to do was say the word. But no, he had to go


    behind her back and take precautions like she was some kind of fool.


    If he was really done with this rtionship, why couldn’t he just man up and tell her straight? She


    wouldn’t cling to him. She’d walk away with her head held high. But this? What was this game he was


    ying?


    Clutching theb results in her hand, Estre felt like a top spinning out of control, her anger at Jason


    reaching a boiling point. She’d always fancied herself as sharp, but apparently, he was the one pulling


    the strings. He’d managed to sleep with her while avoiding the possibility of pregnancy, all without the


    decency of handing her a condom.


    Stepping out of the hospital with the damning report, Estre’s face was a storm cloud of fury. Even


    when Kristin sent her a message about catching a cheater, she hadn’t looked this grim.


    This was it. Tonight, Jason would have hell to pay.


    11:33