Serene froze for a moment when she saw Estre in her loungewear, but quickly moved towards her.


    “Estre,” she called out, then added, “Estre, are you sick too?”


    Estre hummed in response, ncing briefly at Jason’s hospital room. “Why are you standing at the


    door without going in?”


    Serene’s face turned a shade of pink. She opened her mouth to say something but found herself at a


    loss for words, so she turned to look at the rooms down the hall. “Estre, which room are you staying


    in?”


    Estre looked back at her own room and pointed. “That one over there.”


    “No one is here with you? Why are you out and about in the middle of the night instead of resting?”


    “I’ve got a fever, just heading to the nurse’s station for some meds.”


    “You should go back to your room. I can get them for you.”


    “The nurses don’t know you. They won’t give you the meds,” Estre said, continuing her walk to the


    nurse’s station with Serene following.


    As they passed Jason’s room, Estre peeked inside and saw Holly sitting beside the bed, Estre


    understood the situation instantly. There was clearly someone important inside, and Serene can’t get


    in.


    After ncing at Serene, Estre felt a tinge of sympathy. Despite spending so many years by Jason’s


    side, Serene ended up with nothing. Serene, holding her thermos even tighter and her ears now a fiery


    red, was the picture of awkwardness.


    Serene had brought Jason some homemade soup to the hospital, having heard he had been on IVs for


    days, but with Holly inside, she was left standing foolishly at the door.


    When Estre returned from the nurse with fever medicine, Serene followed her back to


    the room.


    After taking the medicine, Estre looked at Serene. “Aren’t you going home?”


    “I’ll keep youpany for a bit,” Serene offered.


    Estre eyed the thermos and teased, “Can I have some of that soup?”


    “Of course,” Serene replied, quickly cing the thermos on the table and pouring out the


    soup.


    Estre sat at the table and offhandedly remarked, “Jason’s missing out.”


    Serene just watched her, saying nothing.


    09.15


    After making sure Estre finished her soup, Serene was quick to serve her another bowl, her caring


    nature shining through.


    “So, didn’t your mome to stay with you?” Serene finally asked.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She remembered how Autumn treated Estre as if she were more precious than life itself. Surely,


    Autumn would havee if Estre was sick.


    Estre said, “There have been a lot of colds and fevers recently. I don’t want to pass it on to her. You


    should go back early too.”


    Autumn was nning toe and apany her, but Estre suggested that the hospital had a lot of


    germs, so she should stay home and take care of Isaac instead. Worried about Isaac, her mom hadn’t


    come.


    “I have a strong immune system; it’s fine,” Serene insisted.


    Estre chuckled. “You could pass for a national sweetheart.”


    Holly was with Jason, so Serene quietly waited outside, and now she was staying with a sick Estre.


    Serene was the epitome of a gentle, obedient sweetheart.


    Estre’sment left Serene both amused and embarrassed. “Estre, you’re the one with a big


    heart.”


    Estreughed. “Not a big heart, just no choice.”


    With Jason not on her side, what could she do? Cling and fight desperately? How undignified!


    “And


    you and Holly,” Estre continued, “I’ve been gone for three years, and neither of your has managed to


    get Jason to sign those divorce papers. Your efficiency iscking.”


    Serene just stared at her. As she said, Estre’s perspective was something she couldn’


    match.


    After a pause, Serene said, “Estre, Jason likes you, that’s why he hasn’t signed the papers. He can’t


    bear to divorce you.”


    Estre smiled. “You think I can outmaneuver Holly for you? Look, I couldn’t even get y out of the


    secretary’s office back then. Do you really think I can win against Holly?”


    Serene sighed. “You didn’t care to move me from the secretary’s office. You just didn’t consider me


    worth the effort.”


    After a deep breath, Serene continued, “I admit, I’ve had a crush on Jason for years, but I know where I


    stand. Even though I yed some games back then, it was all because I understood Jason’s


    intentions. He wanted me to do that.”


    After a moment’s pause, Serene continued, “Let me get it clear. Whether it’s Holly entrusting me to


    Jason or Jason insisting that I stay in the secretarial office, I’m merely a


    08:45


    pawn in their game.”


    “Holly is scared of being forgotten by Jason, and Jason… he’s just using me to get a rise out of you.


    What’s driving Jason to rile you up is his desire to grab your attention. I can sense that he has feelings


    for you, not me. Trust me, my intuition is spot on.”


    Serene spoke from the heart, and Estre simply watched her.


    There was a knowing look between them, and Serene, with a small smile, said, “I hope you and Jason


    end up together because he loves you. And if you’re with him, maybe there’s still a ce for me. If it


    were Holly, I wouldn’t even see Jason’s face.”


    Estreughed again. “You’re telling the truth. So, your intuition is sharp. What does it say about when


    Jason and I will end our marriage?”


    Serene frowned slightly. “Jason won’t divorce easily unless something major happens. But whether you


    two can be together, that’s up to you, Estre.”


    Estre leaned back in her chair, the corner of her mouth lifting in a half-smirk. “You know Jason inside


    out. Help me get this divorce, and I’ll help you get him.”


    The words had barely escaped Estre’s lips when Serene, who had been sipping her water, nearly


    sprayed it across the room. “Estre, you had a thing for Jason once. Since he’s so against this


    divorce, why don’t you give him another shot?”


    Estre’s face hardened. “Not happening.” She didn’t want to dredge up the past, but that tumble she


    took at Sandalwood Oasis had severed whatever tie she had to Jason


    forever.


    Serene leaned forward, her hands wrapped around her mug. “If you’re dead set on this divorce, I’m on


    board. But you have to agree to one condition.”


    Estre raised an eyebrow. “Out with it.”


    After Serene revealed her terms, Estre’sugh was bright and unexpected. “Yo yourself a deal.”


    The two chatted alsaacbly, and Estre’s fever gradually subsided. Noticing Estre looking a bit better,


    Serene suddenly remembered something. “Estre, do you kn about that big fire back in the day?


    Holly’s been digging around about ittely.”