30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband

Chapter 144

Estrella, with an effortless grace, said, “Go on! I wait for you.” Since she had accompanied Jason here, she could certainly keep her cool.

Jason went with Vincent into the room, and Estrella and Serene remained in the living room. Serene, looking nervous, gazed at Estrella for a long while before blurting out, “Estrella, have you had dinner? I can whip something up for you.”

Estrella declined, “You don’t have to.”

Serene insisted, “Then let me get you a glass of water.”

Since Serene was adamant about hospitality, Estrella didn’t stand on ceremony. They each settled on a couch. Estrella was composed and relaxed, while Serene seemed ill at ease, like a child who had done something wrong as if this wasn’t even her own home.

Biting her lip, Serene looked back at Estrella, envying her for always seeming so unflappable.

Estrella took a sip of her water, setting the cup down on the coffee table when Serene burst out, “Jason has been such a help to Vincent and me. If it wasn’t for Jason, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m so grateful that…”

Her voice trailed off as she caught Estrella’s direct gaze. Realizing her mistake, she hurriedly stopped mid-sentence, explaining, “Estrella, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not trying to brag. I’m just really thankful for Jason, and it’s… awkward sitting here in silence.” Estrella smiled nonchalantly. Serene’s behavior was ambiguous. Sometimes Estrella couldn’t even tell if Serene was genuinely mean or just putting on an act.

As Estrella looked at Serene, she calmly said, “Jason mentioned that you once saved him.” Seizing the topic, Serene quickly said, “Yes!” then continued, “Actually, during that big fire three years ago, Jason was in the room too. I just happened to be passing by and busted in. There were two firefighter masks inside, and one was broken. Holly gave the only working one to Jason, and that’s why he turned out okay. But Holly… her health wasn’t good to begin with, so…”

Her voice faded, not finishing the thought.

and for a moment, Serene had almost lacked the courage to enter. But thinking of Jason inside, she had ultimately gone in. Holly had

memories surged, and Serene’s demeanor softened

past lightly while Estrella simply observed. So it turned out

there during Holly’s incident, and Holly had given her mask to him. Jason had never mentioned

Serene to ask, “Estrella, didn’t you know about this?” then added, “Jason didn’t

we heard that fire was set deliberately, but

Vincent’s room. The muffled sound of Jason discussing a problem with Vincent carried faintly to them, and Estrella suddenly realized just how distant

slap, and how they had stopped talking altogether since then, even at Holly’s funeral. His gaze had been particularly icy as if she were his enemy.

With his family background and pride, Jason still managed to integrate into Serene’s life. Over the past couple of years, Jason had probably visited Serene’s home far more times than

room, and she spoke evenly, “Don’t worry. Jason

Jason,” Serene nodded vigorously, then added, “So Estrella, please don’t misunderstand

make amends with Estrella, who simply smiled, “You’re not even on my radar.”

insisted on looking out for Serene in other ways, there was nothing she could do. One could manage another’s actions, but

she wanted to

the unlocked front door swung open and

as he caught sight of Estrella and he jumped, greeting her, “Ms. Estrella.” Seeing the two women in conversation, he added, “Ms. Estrella, I got held up with some family stuff. Sorry for making you come out here, too.”

rose smoothly from the couch. “I

and came out