Chapter 172

Chapter 172 Estrella glanced at her hand, trying to slide off the ring, but it was too tight, impossible to remove.

Jason, witnessing her struggle and recalling her words, called out, “Estrella.”

She ignored him, didn’t even look up, and instead wrenched at the ring with all her might, managing to budge it slightly. In the next second, blood started to ooze around the ring.

A sharp pain shot through Estrella’s heart, but without a hint of mercy, she yanked the ring off her finger. Blood dripped down her finger, the ring still ensnared a piece of her skin.

The irony of the situation struck Estrella. The skin hanging from the ring was like the layers she had shed in this marriage. She always appeared carefree and jovial, but how could she truly be indifferent? More often than not, it was just a facade.

Estrella had always had a low tolerance for pain. As Jason saw her forcibly removing the ring right in front of him, his own heart twisted in agony, his chest tightened with anxiety.

Placing the bloodied ring on the desk, Estrella calmly said, “Jason, had I known it would come to this, I would never have agreed to this marriage. We’ve known each other for years, let’s at least part with some dignity.”

With that, she brushed past him and left the room. The door closed with a soft click, and by the time Jason turned around, Estrella had disappeared.

His gaze fell upon the ring, now surrounded by specks of blood on the floor. The jeweler had claimed the ring was irremovable, but Estrella had torn it off, flesh and all.

Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, blood from her left ring finger dripped continuously onto her pants and shoes.

In that moment, Estrella felt numb with pain, her body trembling, her grip on the whee unnaturally tight.

Swallowing hard, a pang of heartache washed over her, and tears cascaded down her face. She was never one to cry easily, but Jason’s actions today, especially his remarks about the prospects of Dorvold Group, made Estrella feel like their two decades of acquaintance had been in vain.

Even after their arguments and discontent, she never imagined he could be so intolerant. She should have realized it the moment he slapped her.

Suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen, Estrella panicked, caressing her belly before driving herself to the hospital.

After an examination, the doctor advised, “You need to avoid getting upset in the future. Don’t hurt yourself. The baby can sense these things. Fortunately, there’s no big issue today. Would you like to spend the night in the hospital, or should someone from home 1/3 14:37 Chapter 172 come get you?” The doctor felt sympathy for her, alone in the hospital late at night checking on her baby.

“I’ll have a friend pick me up,” Estrella said.

The doctor frowned. “What about the baby’s father? What’s with men these days, no sense of responsibility.”

“He doesn’t have a father,” Estrella replied.

Hearing this, the doctor prescribed her some medicine and said no more.

Soon after, Estrella collected her medication, and Jesse rushed in to support her. “What’s going on? What did the doctor say?”

“It’s nothing, just some medicine,” she replied.

“Next time, call me earlier. Don’t go to the hospital alone,” Jesse insisted.

Noticing Estrella’s bandaged finger, Jesse asked, “What happened to your hand?”

“Cut myself removing a ring,” she said nonchalantly.

Jesse, angered, blurted out, “Damn, I knew you guys don’t fit. Even that lousy ring doesn’t fit.”

Opening the passenger door, Jesse helped Estrella in and started the car. “What exactly happened today? You seem off,” Jesse inquired as they drove.

Resting her head against the window, Estrella muttered, “I don’t want to continue this.”

“Whatever you decide, I’m behind you,” Jesse assured her.

Estrella exhaled softly, and Jesse pressed, “Estrella, are you sure you want to keep baby? Maybe Bryce was right, those fortune-

tellers aren’t always correct.”

If they were not going to be together, was there any point in keeping the baby? If she through with it, would Estrella always be reminded of Jason whenever she looked at h child? Would she feel foolish for her decision today?

“Let’s handle the paperwork first, then we’ll think about the rest,” Estrella said calmly. For now, Estrella just wanted to finalize things with Jason and cut all ties.

Jesse, seeing Estrella in a rare downtrodden state, put an arm around her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

Meanwhile, at Sandalwood Oasis.

Jason descended the stairs with a stormy expression, and Marie hurriedly approached, “Mr. Jason, what’s going on with you and Ms. Estrella? She seemed fine earlier, but then she insisted on leaving, and I couldn’t stop her.

2/3 14:37 2/2 Chapter 172 When Jason remained silent, Marie persisted, Mr. Jason, if I may ask, did you and Ms. Estrella have a fight over Miss Ledford?”

Jason asked indifferently, “Did Estrella say anything to you?” He had a hunch Marie knew something from her question.

Marie responded to Jason’s inquiry, “A while back, Mr. Bryce visited and took photos of you and Miss Ledford having coffee. Ms.

Estrella didn’t confront you, and she asked me to burn the photos, saying there was no need to tell you Mr. Bryce had been around. She said she trusted you.”

As Marie spoke, Jason’s expression grew even darker. Estrella had known all along about his rendezvous with Holly, but she had never breathed a word of it.

Marie continued, her voice a gentle chide, “Mr. Jason, you really can’t blame Ms. Estrella for feeling a bit sour. Ever since Miss Ledford came back, you’ve nearly slipped back into your old ways, coming home late or some nights not at all. Anybody in Ms.

Estrella’s shoes would have a hard time swallowing that pill. And frankly, she’s got the patience of a saint. Any other woman would’ve stormed right up to Miss Ledford’s doorstep by now.”

Jason rubbed his temples as Marie’s words sank in. His recent late nights-or complete no-shows-at home had little to do with Holly. It was the end-of-the-year work crunch that held him up. Though, if he was honest, the haunting memories of that terrible fire often weighed heavily on his mind, souring his mood.

“Got it,” he replied curtly, and with that, he steered his car away from Sandalwood Oasis.

His left hand firmly on the wheel, his right thumb flicked through contacts on his phone until Estrella’s number popped up.

Without hesitation, Jason punched the call button.