Estre nced sideways at him, still unaware of Jason’s arms encircling her, oblivious to his


    endearments as he called her “babe”. She said, “Struck a deal with Serene. She helped me get the


    divorce papers through, and in return, I’ve agreed to dig up the truth behind that infernal ze, to drag


    the puppet master out of the shadows.”


    She added, “Guess she’s been shadowing you all these years, hoping you’d make some headway with


    the case. It must’ve been a letdown how it all fizzled out.”


    At Estre’s exnation, Jason’s expression darkened visibly. Teaming up with Serene to get a


    divorce, Estre really went through with it, leaving him without a shred of dignity.


    Estre’s mention of Serene’s vested interest in the case jogged a memory for Jason. Indeed, not long


    after Serene was discharged and started working at Nelson International, she would often inquire about


    any leads on the assant.


    At first, he’d give her updates and share the progress. But after discovering the perpetrator was


    Estre, he told Serene it was an ident and urged her to forget the whole affair and never bring it up


    again. Since then, Serene had not approached him with any further questions. It seems she was still


    concerned about it, which made sense considering the severity of her injuries from the fire, injuries that


    had robbed her of the chance to bear children. And it was precisely for that reason he had taken care


    of Serene and her family and kept her at Nelson International.


    Jason and Estre were able to open up and talk it out this time,rgely thanks to Serene asking


    Estre to investigate. Otherwise, this incident might never have been brought up.


    The thought of Estre dealing with Serene just to get divorced from him still stung, prompting him to


    curse under his breath, “Damn it, all this over some silly misunderstanding.”


    Noticing Jason’s displeasure, Estre snapped back to reality, realizing she was trapped his embrace.


    In the next heartbeat, her expression turned frosty as she said, “Have you shame? Get your hands off


    me, and keep your distance.”


    He had kept silent, ming her for so many years, making her suffer. And now, he wante to hug and


    kiss her just like that? No such luck


    Instead of releasing her, Jason tightened his grip. “Estre, now that everything’s out in the open, you


    know it was all a big misunderstanding. Let’s remarry, shall we?” he said.


    Having cleared the air with Estre, and after being so intimate that morning, Jason now was set on


    remarrying and investigating the past together.


    Estreughed dryly, standing up from her chair withposure, “Jason, you might be under a


    misconception about me, but I’m under no illusions about you. And who’s to say I’m not lying? Maybe I


    did want to burn you alive.”


    00.25


    Her sarcasm made Jason reach for her face, pleading, “Babe, I was wrong. I’ll take any punishment.


    Just let’s get remarried. Even if you did want to end me, I’d ept it.”


    Jason was relentless, and Estre almost forgot how he used to charm her with his whimsical ways.


    She once fell for him because he could y the sweetheart better than anyone else, calling her


    “darling” and leaning on her shoulder, feigning exhaustion. But times had changed, and she was no


    longer the Estre of her youth.


    1


    Giving Jason a sidelong nce, Estre sneéred. “Really? Any punishment?”


    She walked over to the window, pushed it open, and with her arms crossed over her chest, she


    challenged, “Then jump. If you survive the fall from the 33rd floor, I’ll remarry you.”


    Damn it! The little devil’s got a heart of stone.


    Jason watched her for a long moment, her expression one of smug anticipation, before stepping closer,


    “If it’ll make you forgive me, I’ll jump.”


    True strength isn’t in preserving one’s pride, but in knowing when to cast it aside. Afterying


    everything out with Estre, Jason realized that clinging to his pride would mean losing his wife forever.


    Without further ado, he climbed onto the ledge.


    Seeing him actually perched on the window, half his body dangling outside, Estre quickly yanked him


    back by the cor of his shirt. If he identally fell, the entire Nelson family would be after her blood.


    Besides, he was her son’s…


    Yanked back to safety by Estre, Jason regained his footing and swiftly wrapped her in his arms.


    “Darling, you can’t bear to let me go, can you?”


    Estre pushed him away with visible disdain, “The truth hasn’t evene to light. How could you


    die?”


    Jason chuckled at her excuse and pulled her back into his embrace. This time, he h so tightly that all of


    Estre’s pushing couldn’t break his hold.


    Looking up at him, she reminded, “You’re nearly thirty, Jason. Show some dignity.”


    His birthday was just three months away, right around the holidays.


    Jason smiled, “You remember my birthday?”


    Estre rolled her eyes, “Don’t be ridiculous.”


    They had known each other for years, and she used to celebrate his birthday with him every year. How


    could she forget? They were divorced, not amnesiacs.


    The more Estre showed her contempt, the warmer Jason felt inside, his smile growing brighter. Even


    if the full truth was still buried, and there were more hurdles ahead, as long


    08:36


    as they couldmunicate, and there was a chance for reconciliation, he feared nothing. Holding her


    closer, hè nuzzled her cheek with his nose, whispered hot breaths into her ear, “Babe, I made a


    mistake, a big one. Let’s remarry. From now on, I’ll listen to you. I’ll transfer my shares and properties


    to you. If I ever upset you again, just send me packing, and let me beg on the streets.”


    When little Estre was just a tot, Jason once took her out to y and identally knocked out one of


    her teeth. The poor girl wailed so mournfully,menting that without her tooth she couldn’t enjoy her


    meals. She was so upset; she insisted that Kristin kick Jason out and make him beg for change on the


    street corners.


    Jason, wracked with guilt and heartache, silently gathered his things, ready to face the beggar’s life. He


    was only seven years old at the time.


    When Estre saw Jason actually clutching a bowl ready to hit the streets, she suddenly changed her


    mind, pulling him back, confessing that she had just spoken in anger.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Reminiscing about the old times, a wry smile tugged at Estre’s mouth. “ying for sympathy, are


    we?” she thought to herself.


    Truth be told, Estre barely remembered the incident herself. She was only four back then. It was


    Kristin who, in jest, had recounted the story to her on several asions, keeping the memory alive.


    With a cold chuckle, Estre’s reaction was met by Jason pulling her even closer into his embrace,


    nting a kiss on her cheek. “Babe, just give me a chance,” he pleaded.