Hearing Estre’s question, Bryce turned around leisurely and smiled, “So you thought that if you and


    Jesse kept mum, I’d be clueless?”


    At Bryce’s words, Estre’s smile faltered. No wonder Bryce bought so many sour snacks this time. No


    wonder he insisted on joining her business trip when dropping her off at the airport. It made sense why


    he showed up in Harmony Springs almost immediately after she did, and why he insisted on a 24-hour


    vigil and imed the couch for his bed.


    He knew everything.


    Bryce had a faint smile on his lips and took his right hand out of his pocket to ruffle Estre’s hair.


    “Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word to anyone, especially not Jason. But hey, if you ever need


    anything, just give me a buzz. I’ll be there faster than pizza delivery.”


    Bryce was all seriousness now, a far cry from the usual carefree, rough-around-the-edges


    guy she knew. He was like this only on the rare when Estre was feeling


    down, taking on the role of her steadfast protector. Back when she and Jason had gotten their marriage


    license, Bryce had been just as earnest, assuring her she’d regret it.


    Estre managed a weak smile, patting Bryce on the shoulder. “Thanks, Bryce. You’re a gem.”


    Bryce pinched her cheek lightly. “It’s chilly out, get inside. And whatever Jason says, don’t take it to


    heart. Men aren’t worth your peace.


    Estre chuckled. “I know.”


    “Head in then,” Bryce nudged.


    “Alright.” With a nod to Bryce, Estre turned and stepped into the foyer. Bryce watche


    and then strode off toward the yard with a casual wave goodbye.


    her go


    Watching Bryce’s departure, a warm feeling spread through Estre. For all his bluster, Bryce was far


    more attentive than Jason, full of ambition and capability, just waiting for


    his moment to shine.


    As Estre stood in the foyer, Marie walked over and followed her gaze outside, saying, “Mr. Bryce is


    too polite,” shemented. “Wouldn’t even stay for dinner after bringing you home.”


    “He’s been running around with me for days. He needs his rest,” Estre replied.


    Marie beamed. “Well, it’s good you’re back, Ms Estre. The house has been like a ship without its


    captain with you gone. Mr. Jason’s been downright lost.”


    Estre didn’t respond, her eyes still fixed on the yard.


    Bryce climbed into his Maybach and gave Estre a wave from the


    passenger window.


    09:02


    “Get inside.”


    “I know. Go on,” Estre called back.


    Only when the car disappeared from sight did Estre turn back into the house. Marie, walking beside


    her, couldn’t help but feel that Estre’s rtionship with Bryce had be even better after this


    business trip. Marie mused about Jason’s absence at the airport, fearing that if he continued to neglect


    Estre, Estre might just be swept off her feet by someone else-someone like Bryce.


    …


    Inside the Maybach, Bryce dialed a number the moment they left the driveway. “Where’s


    Jason now?”


    The response was swift, but Bryce’s face darkened with every word. He ended the call abruptly. He


    chose not to confide in Estre this time. With her pregnancy, he couldn’t bear to add to her


    disappointments, even though she imed to be alright.


    Choosing to marry Jason had been unwise from the start.


    Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, the driver sneakily nced at Bryce through the rearview


    mirror. Noticing Bryce’s gloomy expression, the driver decided it was best not to say anything. Bryce


    might seem carefree, but he was sharp. When he put his mind to it, he could easily rival Jason.


    *


    解


    Back at the house, Estre’s phone rang as soon as she stepped inside. It was Jason. Shé stared at


    the screen for a moment before answering.


    “You’re home?” Jason’s voice was soft but strained.


    “Yeah.” Estre replied, her voice t.


    “I had to deal with somethingst minute, so I sent Drew to pick you up. Stay home. I’ll back once I’m


    done,” Jason exined, his worry evident.


    “Okay.” Estre’s tone was calm, her resolve to divorce unshaken by his calls and messages. Now, she


    didn’t even care to ask what kept him so upied. His affairs were of no interest to her.


    Relieved by her agreement, Jason advised her to dress warmly and stay indoors, but Estre abruptly


    ended the call. If only Jason could be as attentive and organized as Bryce, she might be inclined to


    listen to his advice and respond with warmth.


    She dismissed the thought. After all, she’d managed just fine without his ‘concerns’ over the years.


    Hanging up, Estre’s thoughts drifted to an old argument with Jason. She had imed that marrying


    anyone would be better than marrying him. It was said in anger then, but reflecting on it now, it seemed


    true. Even Bryce cared more for her than Jason did.


    09:02


    Setting her phone aside, Estre gently touched her belly, only to retract her hand hastily as Marie


    approached with a fruit tter. “You must be exhausted after the flight, Ms. Estre. Have some fruit.”


    T


    Estre took the tter with a nonchnt smile, as Marie continued, “With so many people depending


    on him at thepany, Mr. Jason sure has his hands full.” Marie had been with the Nelson family since


    Jason was a boy, almost raising him herself, which made her fiercely protective of him.


    Estre smiled, letting the conversation drift.


    Marie lingered with Estre for a while before bustling back to the kitchen to continue her chores.


    Estre, meanwhile, settled in with a fruit tter in front of the TV, toozy to even head upstairs to the


    bedroom. It was as if her return to Sandalwood Oasis was as a guest, not thedy of the house.


    In the hospital’s emergency staircase, Jason’s previously calm brow furrowed deeply as Estre hung


    up the phone without so much as a word. Damn, she was really starting to take him for granted.


    With his hands buried in his pockets, he lingered in the stairwell for a spell before turning


    back to the ward.


    By the bedside, Catrina looked up as Jason approached, and with a helpless tone, she said, “Jason,


    sorry to bother you.” Then she added, “It’s just that Holly only just got back and she’s already


    struggling. I didn’t expect the change in weather to hit her so hard.”


    The fire from years ago had damaged Holly’s respiratory system, and whenever the weather turned


    extremely hot or cold, her body couldn’t cope and she’d end up in the hospital needing oxygen.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Jason, hands still in his pockets, responded with a detached voice, “Holly will be fine.”


    Catrina sighed, “I wouldn’t have called you if the kid hadn’t been calling out for you. I know you’re busy,


    especially with the yearing to a close.”


    Jason replied, “I figured I should swing by.”


    In that fire years ago, if Holly hadn’t handed him her gas mask, it would likely be him gued with the


    failing health today.