Though weary, he relished thefort in the tenderness of the moment.
This time, Estre didn’t resist. She simply watched him, letting him kiss her, showing no reaction. They
had argued and hurled insults. What Jason was doing made her feel very
weary.
Without resistance from Estre, Jason felt a sudden pang of anxiety, and his passionate kissing
slowed down.
Once Jason had satisfied his hunger, his right hand gently stroked her face, his gaze filled with
profound affection. It was only after that, Estre began to speak. “Jason,” she said, “if you keep this
up, it’s just going to get old.”
She had gone upstairs with him out of trust, and yet, he still tried to take advantage of her. Estre
couldn’t even be bothered to get angry.
Estre’s calmness sent Jason into a panic. Her yelling and screaming meant that at least then she felt
something for him. But her indifference now? That was something Jason couldn’t handle.
His hand gently stroked her cheek, thumb brushing back and forth, as he said, “Are you still mad about
what happened back then?”
Estre remained silent, staring at him.
Jason exined, “Holly and I never got together, and those photos were just
sensationalism. The Ledford family was worried about Korey’s career and came to me. Out of old ties
to Korey, I stayed silent then.”
“As for ourst quarrel, it’s my fault. I didn’t exin things to you in time. I was stubborn and petnt. I
acted out of frustration, and I shouldn’t have pushed you or pped you.” Then he added, “Estre, I
overthought, I misunderstood you. I apologize. You can punish me however you want, but please don’t
ignore me.”
At this point, Jason grabbed Estre’s hand, asking her to hit back, but Estre didn’t hit him. “Jason,
it’s been so many years, I neither remember nor wish to dwell on the past.”
Jason suggested, “They weren’t particrly joyful memories anyway, so it’s fine if they’re forgotten.
How about we start anew?”
Estre met his gaze, her response firm. “No.”
The rejection struck Jason like a blow, reducing him to silence as he continued to watch Estre. His
hand was still sping hers, but rather than pull away, Estre merely gazed back at him. “Jason, all
these years have passed…and when I made the decision to leave then, I didn’t consider a future with
you again. “Besides clearing my name, I don’t want to bring up the past anymore. Moreover, I have a
son now. No offense, but marriage means
08
nothing to me. I’ve already fallen into that trap once. I won’t make the same mistake twice, especially
not the same trap.”
Even though they had cleared the air and she now knew that Jason’s past behavior was based on a
misunderstanding, why should she bear the consequences for his mistaken beliefs? Why should she
forgive and forget the pain she once endured?
Even knowing his reasons, knowing he wasn’t with Holly and thatter encounters were meant to
protect her, to keep Holly from digging into the fire incident, the hurt she
suffered was real.
Putting everything else aside, there was the time of the car ident when he ignored her call while she
was in the hospital, the time he failed to keep his promise to pick her up from the airport, leaving her
waiting at Sandalwood Oasis for what felt like forever. Even when she took a fall and ended up in the
hospital, he never showed up. These were barriers in her heart that she simply couldn’t ovee.
What was the point of a rtionship that only thrived in good times but couldn’t withstand any real test?
She was grateful he saved her this time, but that was just gratitude. As for him offering his entire
fortune, Jason should understand that money was never what she valued.
Jason stroked her face and said, “I’ll change for the better. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Jason, let’s just end it here. I’m not in the mood for romance,” Estre replied.
Between the Glimmering Lake case, investigating the fire from seven years ago, and caring for Isaac,
she didn’t have the energy to deal with him.
Estre’s resolve darkened Jason’s expression, “I don’t ept this.”
“It’s not up to you. We’re already divorced,” Estre countered.
As soon as the words left her lips, Jason caressed her face and leaned in to kiss her lips. Estre’s
brow furrowed in annoyance. This man was impossible, impervious to reason. In that moment,
Estre’s frustration red. After pushing him away with all her might, she said, “Jason, you’re the CEO
of Nelson International. Can’t you find something more productive to do?”
Whether it was night or day, he seemed to be in a constant state of arousal, even early in the morning.
His persistence was so shameless. Estre was at her wit’s end.
“For me, you are the most important thing,” Jason replied.
Seeing no point in arguing with someone so stubborn, Estre said, “I’ve said all I had to say. Think it
over and rest up. I’m heading back to the office.” With that, she turned and headed for the door.
Jason reached out to stop her, but Estre deftly avoided his grasp. “You should rest.
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Don’t bother seeing me out.” With those words, she opened the door and left.
In the hospital room, Jason watched her leave, hands in his pockets, sinking into gloom. Still, he knew
that six years of injustice couldn’t be wiped away in just a few days.
Back at thew firm, Estre cast aside all the mess and focused solely on the Glimmering Lake case.
Around eleven, some colleagues went to Glimmering Lake, still aiming to gather evidence of
ChemiSphere’s pollution.
Just after six in the evening, upon returning from Glimmering Lake, Estre received a call from Jason.
Seeing his number made her head ache, but she answered anyway, not wanting him to think she was
deliberately avoiding him.
Upon connecting, Jason’s voice came through calmly, “Isaac is with me.”
“Why on earth is Isaac in the hospital?” Estre muttered in surprise, her brows arching. Then, without
missing a beat, she added, “I’m heading over to pick him up right now.”
After hanging up the phone, Estre hastily gathered her things and set out for the hospital.
Why did Isaac create chaos for her at that time? What was he doing at the hospital with Jason for no
reason?
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Within fifteen minutes, Estre’s car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital’s main entrance. She
burst through the doors of the ward like a force of nature, only to find Isaac and Jason cozily seated on
the hospital bed, engrossed in building a LEGO castle, with Isaac nestled snugly in Jason’sp.
Isaac seemed to be quite familiar with Jason now.