Chapter 114

Chapter 114 Bryce’s rare display of temper caught Estrella and Jesse off guard.

Jesse, in a sudden flurry, grabbed a handful of peanuts from the bowl on the table and threw them at Bryce “What’s your deal, Bryce? Why do you have to stir up trouble for no good reason?”

Bryce didn’t respond with his usual playful banter. Instead, he brushed off his shirt indifferently and looked at them, saying, “Estrella, you and Jason have been married for over two years now. You know exactly what Jason is like and how he treats you, better than any of us. Is a guy like that really worth sticking with? Worth bringing a child into the world with? And don’t even start with that fortune-teller nonsense. You’ve never tried being with anyone else, and how can you know for sure if what they’re telling you isn’t a bunch of baloney? Besides, those psychics were all found by Jason’s dad. Do you really know what his agenda is?”

Bryce was known for his simplicity, never one to overthink anything. But for Estrella, he was genuinely worried.

Estrella gazed at him for a long moment before breaking into a smile, “I’m not even pregnant yet, and anyway, I can handle whatever comes my way.” After all, what was there to worry about? A child? She had a job, and her family owned a company –

what was there to fear?.

Once Estrella had spoken her piece, Jesse chimed in, “Bryce, you’re overreacting a bit. Besides, Estrella and Jason have been hitched for over two years. It’s only natural they’d want to start a family.”

At this, Bryce, impatiently waved his hand, “Fine, fine, fine. You two have it your way, just don’t come crying to me later.”

With that, Bryce was back to his old self. Jesse lobbed another handful of peanuts at him, “Still giving us lip, huh? Your treat for a foot spa later.”

Bryce retorted, “Fine. As long as Estrella isn’t afraid of Jason, I’ll even arrange a couple of strapping lads to pamper you both.”

Estrella laughed along, “Bring it on.”

The banter continued as they finished their meal, and true to his word, Bryce took Estrella and Jesse out for a foot spa, arranging for each to be attended by a young male masseur. Bryce also opted for a male masseur himself.

Lined up side by side, Jesse exhaled deeply, “No wonder guys love hitting the massage parlor this is heaven.”

–

Estrella, meanwhile, instructed her masseur to focus on her shoulders just as her phone began to buzz beside her. It was Jason calling. Annoyed by Jason’s recent clinginess and 1/4 08:23 seemingly constant check-ins, she deliberately ignored the call, letting the phone vibrate incessantly.

“Miss, your phone is ringing again,” mentioned the young masseur, prompting her to finally pick up with reluctance, “What’s up?”

Jason’s icy voice came through, “What time do you call this? Why aren’t you home yet?”

Just then, as the masseur pressed on a tender spot on Estrella’s neck, she couldn’t help but let out a small yelp.

On the other end, Jason’s face darkened instantly, “Estrella, where are you? What are you doing?”

The sound of her voice had set off alarm bells in his mind, suspicions of wrongdoing creeping in.

Estrella, phone in one hand, motioned the masseur to ease up with the other, “What do you think I’m doing? I’m just getting a back rub after a long day at work.”

“Send me the address,” Jason demanded.

Estrella’s patience wore thin, “Jason, stop being ridiculous. I’ll be home after my massage.”

With that, she hung up the call. He wanted the address? She wasn’t about to indulge him she wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Estrella disconnected, and Jesse gave her a thumbs up, “That’s how you handle them. You can’t let men walk all over you.

You’ve got to stand your ground.”

Bryce also nodded in approval, “Pretty gutsy, Estrella. You’ve turned the tables on Jason.”

In the past, it had always been Kristin calling Estrella, sending her addresses to catch him. in action – something he and Jesse had been dragged into more times than they could count. Now, it was Jason chasing after Estrella, demanding her location.

Jesse and Bryce were secretly thrilled by this role reversal.

Hearing their comments, Estrella smiled coyly, “Didn’t you know how capable I am?”

She talked a tough game, but she couldn’t voice the weariness within. She had thought that maybe Jason had some issues, which was why they hadn’t consummated their marriage. But ever since they crossed that line, he seemed insatiable.

–

His energy was boundless, but it was wearing her out. She had her job to think about, after all – being a lawyer was draining enough without having to meet his constant demands.

If only she’d known it would be like this, she never would have brought up having kids.

Sandalwood Oasis.

2/4 09.23 After Estrella hung up, Jason slammed his phone down in a huff. She wouldn’t give him the address, and she hung up on him.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was up to no good, betraying him in some way.

Márie, seeing his reaction, quickly picked up his phone, “What happened? Ms. Estrella is probably just busy with work. She’ll be back soon.”

Jason just chuckled bitterly in response. If Estrella hadn’t let out that yelp, he might not have thought much of it. But that sound had made it impossible for him not to worry, especially considering how suggestive it had seemed.

Taking his phone from Marie, Jason stormed out with a grim expression. If Estrella wasn’t coming back, he wasn’t going to wait around for her.

As he drove off, Marie could still sense Jason’s anger. It seemed another argument was brewing. They had only just enjoyed a brief period of peace.

With one hand on the steering wheel and a cigarette in the other, Jason ended a call with Drew and tossed the phone aside without a second thought.

the?

Meanwhile, back at the massage parlor, Estrella, Jesse, and Bryce were still blissfully indulging in the luxury of their session.

Jesse murmured contentedly, “I’m not going home tonight. This is too good.”

Estrella, eyes closed and voice dripping with languor, hummed in agreement, “Mmm-hmm,” savoring the relaxation. But her affirmation was abruptly cut off when the door to their private room was kicked open with force.

They all jumped at the intrusion, only to see Jason standing there with a thunderous look on his face.

The room fell into an almost sacred hush, so still you could have heard a pin drop on the carpeted floor. Estrella was momentarily frozen, blindsided by Jason’s unexpected appearance. As she lifted her gaze to meet Jason’s, Estrella was on the verge of speaking when the young man who had been giving her a back rub beat her to it, politely inquiring, “Sir, might you be in the wrong room?”

The words had barely left the masseur’s lips when Jason took in the scene before him. Estrella getting a massage was one thing, but having a man do it? Jason’s face darkened with a storm of emotions. “Estrella,” he spat out, a sneer twisting his lips, “you’re really living it up, aren’t you?”

He himself never indulged in massages, let alone sought out the opposite sex for such a service. But there was Estrella, embracing the hedonism he wouldn’t dare touch.

“Mr. Jason.”

“Jason.”

Jesse and Bryce, having noticed Jason’s arrival, quickly chimed in with their greetings.

3/4 Jason’s scowl deepened at the sight of Bryce and Jesse. Whenever this trio got together, it was a safe bet nothing good would come of it.

4/4