Estre hadn’t been keeping tabs on Jason’s whereabouts, nor had she been tracking Holly’s


    movements. It was the night Holly visited the Sandalwood Oasis that Estre received an anonymous


    email full of photographs documenting Holly’s presence there.


    Estre nced at the images and dismissed them, well aware someone was deliberately trying to stir


    up trouble by showing her only the pictures of Holly arriving at the Oasis, not leaving. It was a clear


    setup for misunderstanding.


    Truth be told, she couldn’t care less about Jason’s love life. In the days following the receipt of the


    photos, she hadn’t mentioned a word about it. She knew Jason wouldn’t get involved with Holly at this


    juncture, seeing as he was investing all his time and energy on matters involving her and Isaac. The


    only reason she brought it up now was because Jason had just made a sarcastic remark, so she


    intentionally said that.


    “Let the furte, then. Who’s afraid of a little pain?” she thought defiantly.


    Sure enough, when Estre mentioned Holly, Jason’splexion changed instantly. He exined,


    “Sure, Holly went to the Oasis that day, but it’s not what you think between her and me.”


    “Really? You can say that when she was literally in your house? And here I am getting grilled for having


    a meal in public? You are really being hypocritical. Besides, Jason, I’m not your wife anymore.”


    Estre felt a strange satisfaction seeing Jason’s anger. Maybe it was payback for past grievances.


    With her sharp wit, Jason was left speechless, thinking that not even a hundred extra mouths could


    help him win an argument against her. “Damn it, why did she have to studyw? I can’t win a single


    fight,” he cursed internally.


    At that moment, Jason felt like that he was about to explode out of anger.


    As he stood red-eyed and frustrated, Estre looked on nonchntly, “Now that it’s all out in the open,


    since everyone has their…”


    1


    She was cut off abruptly as Jason, with bloodshot eyes, interjected, “I saw her, showed her a bit of


    respect, only because she’s got evidence. What do I like about her? If I did, I would’ve been with her


    already. Why would I keep entangling myself with you?”


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Caught off-guard by his outburst, Estre was momentarily speechless, not expecting him to suddenly


    articte his frustrations so vividly.


    Their eyes locked, and as Estre stared at him, Jason spoke again, half angry, half pleading, “Estre,


    you’re heartless. You always say I misunderstand you. Don’t you have any misconceptions about me?


    Have you ever trusted mepletely?”


    00.41


    After Jason’s tirade, Estre was about to respond when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out,


    she saw it was a call from Marie.


    Holding Jason’s gaze, she said, “Hold that thought, let me take this call and then we can continue our


    little spat.”


    With that, she answered the call with a cheerful, “Hey Marie.”


    Marie’s voice came through the phone, “Ms. Estre,” and without wasting any time, she added,


    “Something happened at the house a few days ago. I’ve been pondering over it and decided it’s best to


    inform you, so I called.”


    “Go ahead, Marie, I’m listening,” Estre replied, her voice steady.


    Marie quickly ryed, “A few days back, the Ledford family’s Miss Holly came to see Mr. Jason. They


    ended up in an argument, and from the next room, I overheard Miss Holly im that someone had tried


    to set a fire to kill Mr. Jason.”


    “Mr. Jason was furious when he heard this and even threatened Miss Holly, saying if she were to


    disappear, no third party would know about this incident.”


    Marie had heard the entirety of Jason and Holly’s conversation that night. Wisely, she omitted


    mentioning Holly’s remarks about Estre having a son and how being with her could be embarrassing


    for Jason. She ryed only the critical parts to Estre.


    Continuing with evident concern, Marie said, “Ms. Estre, I’ve been scared out of my wits these past


    few days. I worry that Mr. Jason might do something rash in a moment of anger, and this family would


    be ruined. So, after much thought, I decided to call you. Maybe you could talk some sense into Mr.


    Jason. Please tell him not to stoop to Miss Holly’s level and not to do anything foolish that could cost


    him his future. It wouldn’t be


    worth it.”


    “And on that note, the Ledford family isn’t one to mess with either. Miss Holly’s brother is…” Cleverly,


    Marie left the sentence hanging.


    Estre appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was hit by a storm of emotions. So Holly had


    approached Jason to threaten him to stay away from her, and Jason had retorted with such harsh


    words. After a thoughtful silence, Estre said, “Marie, I understand. I’ll find a moment to have a


    serious talk with Jason.”


    Now, Estre had to acknowledge that the people working close to Jason, like Drew, Marie, or his


    driver, were all shrewd individuals. Marie’s call was clearly an attempt to show Jason’s stance and


    intentions, making sure Estre knew he was on her side, protecting her.


    Estre agreed to persuade Jason, and Marie sighed in relief. After a brief chat, Marie ended the call,


    suggesting Estre shoulde back for a visit when she had time.


    With a nonchnt click, Estre tossed her phone onto the cab beside her andzily turned to


    Jason, “Alright, let’s pick up where we left off. Got any more grievances,


    09:42


    anything else you wanna yell about? Go ahead, your turn.”


    Jason’s gaze locked onto Estre, his mind racing with exasperation. What was the point of venting


    now? He wasn’t an idiot. After all, Estre had heard every word of Marie’s recent phone call.


    Yet, he didn’t want Estre to get too cocky, nor did he want her to remain oblivious to his feelings.


    Without hiding the hurt that had surfaced moments ago, he looked at Estre with feigned anger and


    burst out, “Estre, you’re just heartless, you know that?”


    He continued, his voice a mix of confession and usation, “I admit I got it all wrong back in the day,


    and I’m sorry for that. But after I realized my mistake, didn’t I do something about it? Haven’t I been


    trying to make amends? Here I am, busting my gut trying to win you over, trying to bridge the gap with


    Isaac, and you just go off on dates with other guys?”


    “Where does that leave my pride? How am I supposed to hold my head up after this?


    “Sure, we’re divorced, the papers are all signed, and you’re free as a bird now. But after all these years,


    did you really have to rub it in my face right now? Couldn’t you have given it a little more time? If things


    still don’t work out, you could go on dates then. Can’t you just wait a bit longer?


    “Do you really care so little about me? After all these years, do I mean nothing to you? Can’t you spare


    me some peace of mind?”


    Jason had intended only to y the victim, but as he spoke, his emotions surged genuinely. He felt


    hurt.


    Even if he had been at fault in the past, he was sincerely trying to make things right now. He wasn’t


    demanding an immediate answer, but at least she could grant him some time, some chance to prove


    himself.