30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband

Chapter 85

Serene quickly got up from the ground, but she was too anxious and couldn’t stand steady, slipping again.

Jason, witnessing her distress, ambled over and extended a hand to help her up. As he passed Estrella, his gaze was icy, and the frost in his eyes was unmistakable.

Estrella couldn’t help but chuckle silently, and her smile was laced with a tinge of irony.

–

Once upright, Serene, flustered, began to ramble, “Jason, this this had nothing to do with Estrella. I just lost my footing, and that’s all.” Her explanation, though well-intentioned, somehow made it seem as if Estrella had pushed her on purpose.

Estrella, unfazed, sauntered over and gently cupped Serene’s chin, taking in her pitiful and delicate appearance that would move any man’s heart.

Before Jason could intervene, Estrella released Serene and locked eyes with him. Her voice was tinged with warning, “Jason, keep your little bird tucked away safely. Twenty-four-hour surveillance, or she might just fly the coop.”

Jason felt a sinking feeling. His heart was heavy as he finally spoke, “Estrella, some things never change with you.”

With a soft laugh, Estrella retorted, “Change isn’t in my nature. You can either deal with it or walk away.”

Then she turned on her heel and left. Serene, quick to defend her, said, “Jason, she’s just sparring with you verbally. Don’t take it to heart. She didn’t say a word to me. I thought she was upset about the necklace, so I tried to explain.”

Serene’s way with words was nothing short of cunning.

As Estrella passed by Drew, he offered a quiet “Ms. Estrella.” His eyes held a glimmer of sympathy, which didn’t escape Estrella’s notice. Inwardly, she mused that one could never rouse someone pretending to sleep.

Exiting the restroom, Estrella spotted Korey. His gaze seemed laden with pity as he watched her from a distance. He was surrounded by the brass of Ravenwood. Normally, Estrella wouldn’t approach him, and she certainly wouldn’t now. She offered him a small smile in acknowledgment and moved on.

As she walked away, Drew suggested to Jason. “Sir, perhaps Ms. Estrella didn’t do it intentionally.”

Serene chimed in supportively, “Jason, I really don’t think Estrella meant it.”

His thoughts drifted back to

1/3

11:33 E

the beach. Her mind alternated between Ryan’s case and her tangled feelings for Jason. She had hoped that after all these years, if they both tried a little harder and set aside the past grievances, they

she was startled by a voice from

see Korey approaching, and greeted him with a faint

Time to mingle with all the departments

continued down the beach. The conversation flowed as easily as the

breeze.

Estrella. “You’ve been avoiding me

and then laughed at herself. “It’s quite ridiculous, really. Jason’s out there enjoying himself, but here I am,

found a couple of beach chairs. Korey invited her to

from the past, I proposed to the

fighting. He hit you, so I wanted to support you,

no idea that Korey had witnessed

with Jason.

continued, “much like I do for Holly or Jesse. I would’ve done the same for her. I just hope you and Jason

Korey’s

couldn’t help but laugh at the revelation. It turned out she had overthought their relationship for years. After a moment, she said

a while until Korey had to excuse himself

at the resort, Estrella stepped out of the elevator, with the shawl wrapped warmly around her, to find Jason waiting at her door, with a phone to his ear. He

for me? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?” Her words made their legitimate

her quip, Jason, with his hands buried in his pockets, asked, “Where have

273

77-93

been?”