Estre’s motion of swapping her shoes halted abruptly. She hadn’t felt any headache initially, but


    Marie’s words seemed to bring on an instant throb.


    After a brief pause, she replied, “Got it.”


    The day Estre had argued with Jason, she had contemted leaving Sandalwood Oasis. But the


    thought of her mother, Autumn,ing after her with tears streaming down her face, snot and all,


    made her stay put


    Fear was a stranger to Estre in most cases, except when it came to Autumn’s tears. Besides,


    Landon’s three-year deadline was down to thest four months. She had endured over two years. She


    could grit her teeth and get through a few more months. Maybe Jason wouldn’te back after all.


    Out of her expect, Jason had returned today.


    Estre slipped into her shoes as if her legs were filled with lead at the thought of Jason upstairs-she


    couldn’t bring herself to climb those steps. Still, she eventually mustered


    the will to ascend.


    Upon entering her room, Jason turned around from the bay window. Their eyes met, and Estre tried


    to muster a casual smile. “Back again, huh?”


    Estre’s resilience was not just the envy of many women but also of many men. Yet, even as she


    greeted Jason as if nothing was wrong, her spirit wasn’t as buoyant as before, not even as it had been


    a few months ago. She felt weary, reluctant to deal with him but unwilling to let things grow too tense.


    At the very least, she had to keep up appearances.


    Hands buried in his pockets, Jason eyed Estre indifferently and asked, “Who wa dropping you off just


    now?”


    His words hung in the air, and Estre paused mid-motion, her phone halfway to the Finally, she looked


    at him and said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. “You’ve bee gone for days and have the nerve


    to check up on me?”


    Estre often couldn’t fathom where Jason got the audacity to act so high and mighty. She hadn’t


    nned to question his whereabouts, but his tone was simply too irritating.


    Jason stepped closer, his gaze fixed on her. “Estre, I’m asking you a question. Don’t change the


    subject.”


    Estre’s smile faded as she responded indifferently, “With a question like that, whoever you think it


    was is who it was.”


    To those who didn’t trust her, a thousand exnations wouldn’t suffice. Those who did would never


    have asked such a thing, to begin with.


    11:33


    She suspected Jason was just looking for an excuse to end their marriage early.


    Her nonchnce made Jason’s expression darken. Before he could retort, she cut in, “Jason, if you’ve


    got something on your mind, let’s talk about it. This constant nitpicking is getting old. It’s exhausting.”


    He was the one who stayed away, the one who refused tomit to their marriage, the one who


    insisted on contraceptives. Estre was truly tired. She was so tired that she didn’t want to fight with


    Jason anymore. She didn’t even want to argue.


    Her job was demanding enough, taxing her mind. Who would want to waste energy on trivial matters


    every single day? If they could make it work, fine. If not, then so be it.


    Besides, there were so many other things to do in this world and so many interests to pursue. Who the


    hell wanted to spend all their time fixating on love affairs and family dramas?


    Estre’s weary gaze seemed to douse the mes of Jason’s anger, and he seemed to realize what


    she was thinking. She was fed up, tired, and unwilling to even fight with him


    anymore.


    Jason just stood there, watching her for a long while, until he finally left the master bedroom.


    Once he was gone, Estre exhaled a huge sigh of relief. Phew! She took a deep breath and headed to


    the bathroom to change.


    For now, she wanted Jason to stay away and not bother her so she could focus on wrapping up the


    Lexi case. She would be more than grateful for that.


    In the adjacent study, Jason called Drew as soon as he walked in. “Check on what Estre’s been up to


    lately.”


    “Right away, Mr. Jason,” came the prompt reply from Drew, who set about his task immediately.


    Jason’s face was still clouded with displeasure, especially when he recalled Estre’s


    scornful look.


    Shortly after, Drew’s call came in. “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estre’s been working on a case for a high school


    ssmate’s family. She’s been running between the hospital,w firm, and district attorney’s office non-


    stop.”


    “Also, tonight, she dined with some local leaders. It was Mr. Gordon who drove Ms. Estre home.


    They were probably discussing some old housing demolition dispute in the district.”


    Drew knew Jason might’ve been concerned about who had brought Estre home tonight. It was the


    only evening she had an engagement, and coincidentally, he returned to Ravenwood.


    11.02


    After getting the information, Jason thanked Drew and hung up.


    Gordon, the man Drew mentioned, was an old family friend. Jason had known him since childhood. He


    had grown up alongside Estre and was well acquainted with both their fathers. Gordon had a son


    who was several years their junior, just starting his freshman year of college.


    Knowing that Estre was escorted home by a trusted elder, Jason felt relieved.


    Thinking back on his earlier interrogation of Estre and her sarcastic gaze, he massaged his temples.


    It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Estre, but that fight had been so fierce, and the memory of the fire she


    set years ago lingered, making him insecure. Plus, everyone knew that Estre married him because of


    some fortune-teller’s words.


    After some time alone in the study, Jason returned to the bedroom to find Estre had already washed


    up and fallen asleep on the bed. Approaching her, he gently rearranged the hair on her face, pondering


    whether agreeing to this marriage had been a mistake.


    Perhaps it was time to let go and give each other freedom.


    The thought of letting go and having no connection with Estre in the future was unbearable for him.


    The mere idea of her marrying someone else and being with someone else made him unwilling to step


    aside.


    The next morning, Estre emerged from her bedroom to find Jasoning out from the room across


    the hall. She was initially surprised, then casually greeted him with a “Good morning!” She couldn’t be


    bothered to tease him as she usually would. Speaking to him first was simply a gesture of her


    magnanimity.


    “Yeah,” Jason replied indifferently.


    As they made their way downstairs, Jason headed toward the dining room, and Estre grabbed


    something quick to eat and left.


    Upon seeing this, Marie followed Estre to the door to exin, “Ms. Estre, Mr. Jason was asking


    about you as soon as he got back yesterday! Oh, and Mr. Jason has been away on a business trip


    recently.”


    “I see,” Estre responded coolly.


    Inside, she found it bitterly ironic. Despite being his wife, she needed to hear about his whereabouts


    and doings via the housekeeper. The state of their marriage couldn’t get any more ridiculous.


    Jason nced back at her, noting her reluctance to even sit at the same table for a meal. With a snap


    of frustration, he put down his utensils, no longer in the mood to eat.


    In the afternoon, Estre was heading back from the district attorney’s office when her mother, Kristin,


    called her. “Estre, don’t forget about Grandma’s birthday today! Make


    11:33


    sure you leave work early ande over with Jason.”


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