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.

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

Serene’s demeanor softened from anxiety to melancholy.

lightly while Estrella simply observed. So it

been right there during Holly’s incident, and Holly had given her mask to him. Jason had never mentioned this to Estrella. He never told her

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

heard that fire was set deliberately, but somehow the case just fizzled

Serene explained, Estrella’s gaze drifted toward Vincent’s room. The muffled sound of Jason discussing a problem with Vincent carried faintly to them, and Estrella suddenly realized just how distant she and Jason had become. He hadn’t even shared the details of such a serious event

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

the feeling of being an outsider returned. Serene knew all his affairs. They shared a life-and-death bond. 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

gaze returned from Vincent’s room, and she spoke evenly, “Don’t worry. Jason will uncover

Serene nodded vigorously, then added, “So Estrella, please

amends with Estrella, who simply smiled, “You’re not

family. However, if Jason insisted on looking out for Serene in other ways, there was nothing she could do. One could manage another’s actions, but not their heart. Besides, men didn’t need to be managed. If you were in a man’s heart, he wouldn’t let you be misunderstood or

wanted

and Drew came bustling in.

Seeing the two women in conversation, he added, “Ms. Estrella, I got held up with some

the couch. “I needed some

came out