years,


    Estre hadn’t returned for three years. Jason hadn’t celebrated Christmas for three nor had he visited


    the old family home, because he was too embarrassed to go back.


    Propped up in bed, Estre said, “Spending Christmas at your ce wouldn’t be appropriate.”


    Jason didn’t press her. He simply said, “There’s still a month left. Think it over.”


    Estre didn’t outright refuse, just lightly hummed in response. But a monthter, it was still impossible


    for her to join the Nelson family for Christmas.


    After chatting for a while longer, Jason reluctantly ended the call.


    In bed, Estre turned to nce at Isaac, sleeping in his little bed nearby. She leaned over to give him


    a kiss, then turned off the lights in the room and went to rest.


    In the following days, Jason had to travel for work. Estre enjoyed the rare quiet, her days returning to


    normal, though she asionally found her thoughts wandering to him. and their closeness.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The new case wasn’t tooplicated, allowing Estre to spend more time with Isaac and to look more


    into the fire from seven years ago.


    However, after seeing Jason, Holly became restless – embarrassed by her own advances that Jason


    had rejected, and concerned that Jason suspected her.


    After stewing at home for a few days, Holly finally called Jason. “Jason, let’s meet willing to share the


    evidence I have and help with the leads.”


    1.


    I’m


    On the other end, Jason replied indifferently, “I’m not in Ravenwood these days. You could


    talk to Estre.”


    Holly said, “Then let’s talk when you’re back.”


    She was willing to cooperate and share her evidence, all for Jason’s sake, hoping to see him more.


    The thought of talking to Estre instead didn’t sit well with her.


    On the other end, Jason agreed, thinking he’d just bring Estre along when the time.


    came.


    After hanging up with Jason, Holly’s hand clenched her phone tightly, her skin showing. green veins


    from the grip.


    Why? Why was it Estre and not her? What was wrong with herself?


    Swallowing a lump in her throat, Holly dialed another number-Serene’s.


    Serene was also involved in the matter, and no doubt Jason and Estre would have asked her for


    information. So, when Serene answered the phone, Holly cut straight to the


    10 281


    chase and arranged a meeting.


    “Holly,” Serene greeted cautiously as Holly approached in the café.


    Without beating around the bush, Holly sat down and went straight to the point. “Jason and Estre are


    investigating the fire from back then. They must’ve asked you about it.”


    I


    Serene nodded gently. “Yes, I told Estre everything I knew.”


    Holly asked, “Jason never mentioned it before. What made him start investigating all of a sudden?


    You’ve been his secretary for so many years, do you know why?”


    Serene replied, “I made an agreement with Estre.” She then exined her alliance with Estre to


    Holly, believing that since Holly was directly involved and also a victim, they should share clues to solve


    the case faster.


    Holly’s expression changed several times during the conversation, and finally, she stared at Serene


    and asked, “So you’re the one who started all this?”


    Holly was wondering why Jason suddenly investigated this matter. It turned out that Serene was the


    one who instigated it.


    Feeling the tension from Holly’s gaze, Serene exined nervously, “I talked to Estre about it.” She


    added, “Holly, you’re a victim too. If the fire was arson, you’d surely want to catch the perpetrator.”


    Holly was almost amused by anger. “Serene, you sure know how to pick your allies,” she


    scoffed.


    Holly was torn. She didn’t want to give away too much information, a move that could potentially upset


    Jasonter on. And, despite the nagging unease she felt about Serene’s role in all this, Holly decided it


    s time to leave. So, after paying for their coffees, she quietly left the café.


    Driving away, gripping the steering wheel, Holly seethed at the thought of Serene stirring things up and


    even helping Estre get a divorce-something she herself had failed to influence. It seemed she had


    underestimated Serene these past years.


    But as she drove, Holly’s anger faded into a smirk. Things were getting interesting.


    That evening, after tucking Isaac into bed, Estre’s phone rang. It was Jason. “Estre, I’m back.


    Outside your house,” he said after she’d answered.


    Estre threw on a jacket and stepped outside. She crossed her arms and eyed Jason, who was


    dressed too lightly for the chill evening. “Weren’t you supposed to be back the day after tomorrow?


    What brought you back early?”


    Jason opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace. “I missed you,” he confessed.


    Enclosed in Jason’s arms, Estre looked up at him, not pushing away, lost in the moment shared in


    the dim glow of her porch light. Their eyes locked, and Jason wrapped one arm around her waist while


    his other hand tenderly caressed her face. “Miss me?” he whispered, his voice a soft rumble.


    escape,


    Estre gazed back at him, her lips parting to respond, but before words could Jason’s touch glided


    from her cheek to her lips, leaning in to capture her in a frosty kiss.


    The chill of the night seeped into the moment; Jason’s lips were as cold as the winter air, sending a


    shiver and goosebumps cascading down her spine. But as they continued, the cold gave way to a


    growing warmth between them.


    Estre didn’t push him away. Instead, as the kiss deepened, Jason yfully nibbled at her lips and


    murmured, “Let’s head over to Waterfall Acres.”


    “Stop,” Estre pulled back, breaking free from his embrace. “Just stop.” She still remembered the


    aftermath of theirst escapade. It took days for her to feel herself again, days for the ache to fade.


    As she stepped away, Jason reached out, pulling her back into his arms. “Then just let me hold you.


    I’ve missed you so much.”


    Ever since they had opened up about the incident with the fire, Jason had developed a knack for being


    adorably clingy.


    Trapped once again in his embrace, feeling the weight of his chin on her shoulder, Estrell realized she


    was powerless against his charm. Since childhood, she had always been th weakest when it came to


    Jason’s yful pouts and cuddles.


    Holding Estre close, Jason shared the hardships of his recent business trip in hushed tones. Then,


    lifting his gaze to meet hers, he said softly, “I’m going to go check on Isaac.