Chapter 195

Chapter 195 It had been three years since they last saw each other, yet she had somehow grown even more stunning, her presence more commanding.

Their eyes met, and with a hint of a smirk, Estrella looked up at Jason. “Don’t tell me you can’t bear to be without me after three years of not seeing me?”

Her casual words hung in the air as Jason tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her closer. He had missed her, that much was clear.

Jason was staring at her without saying anything, so Estrella placed her hands against his chest and pushed him gently but firmly. “What exactly are you planning to do in broad daylight, right outside the courthouse? Save whatever you want to say for inside the courtroom.”

With her push, Jason only wrapped his arms around her tighter. Estrella wasn’t having any of it, her voice turning icy. “Jason, don’t presume I’ll keep humoring you with a good temper.”

Her patience and tolerance for Jason had been exhausted three years ago. Back then, she had indulged him because she wanted to start a family, but now that her goal was achieved, there was no reason to coddle him any longer.

“Ms. Estrella, you’re still here.” A voice called out from behind them, and as they turned to look, Estrella finally managed to step back from his embrace.

“Ms. Estrella, is this gentleman a friend of yours? He looks familiar.”

“Yes, an old friend,” Estrella responded with a smile.

Once the person had left, Jason’s hand moved to the nape of Estrella’s neck, guiding her into the passenger seat. After a moment, Jason got into the car himself and said coldly, “Drop the divorce suit.”

Estrella replied without a hint of emotion, “Not happening.”

Her outright refusal had him resting his arm along the window, frowning in silence. In the past, Jason thought Estrella was quite easy to communicate with, that they could discuss everything calmly. Now, there wasn’t even room for discussion.

As Jason remained silent, Estrella spoke again with calm authority, “If there’s nothing else, I’m getting out.” He didn’t open the door for her but instead started the car with a frosty demeanor.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Dorvold family estate. Estrella tried to open the door, and when she turned to look at Jason, he said flatly, “Estrella, it doesn’t matter who you talk to. I won’t agree to this, and that’s final.”

Without a word, Estrella stared at him until he unlocked the door. She stepped out and 08:22.

watched as Jason drove away without a second glance, the heavy sound of his car’s acceleration hinting at his foul mood.

As she watched his car disappear, Estrella took out her phone and called Drew, asking him to prepare Jason’s files for her to pick up the next morning.

Meanwhile, at the beauty salon.

Kristin’s brows knitted tightly as she listened to Autumn’s words. Kristin had been planning to invite Estrella over for dinner, but it seemed the Dorvold family had beaten her to it.

After a thoughtful silence, Kristin asked, “Is Estrella set on divorcing?”

With a helpless sigh, Autumn replied, “She’s pretty adamant this time. They haven’t seen each other for years, and while they did try to make it work before, they never really clicked. I think it’s best if we don’t force the issue on the kids.”

Kristin frowned, “Autumn, you know I can’t control Jason or his father, but I will pass along your concerns. Ultimately, it’s up to him.”

Autumn cleverly added, “It’s not about putting pressure on Jason. I just thought I’d mention it since we’re talking. The kids aren’t getting any younger. Jason’s turning 30 soon, and Keith and Amber are surely hoping for great-grandchildren. I just think maybe Jason is being stubborn because it’s Estrella who mentioned the divorce first and he felt miffed.

The mention of Keith and Amber’s hopes made Kristin’s frown deepen. It wasn’t just them; she too longed to hold a grandchild. If only her son had been more cooperative, she’d already have a grandchild by now.

When Kristin found Jason home, she got straight to the point. “I ran into Estrella’s mother. She says Estrella is back and doesn’t want to continue with you.”

Jason’s mood, which wasn’t great to begin with, soured further. Why did this topic follow him everywhere?

Kristin suggested, “Maybe you should just listen to Estrella. Let her go, Jason.”

With his hands in his pockets, Jason looked at Kristin as if to say, ‘Are you even on my side anymore?’

Kristin sighed, “It’s been six years, Jason. You’re not young anymore, and Estrella’s 26. A woman’s youth is fleeting. Don’t waste hers.”

Kristin had always advocated for reconciliation, but looking back at the hardships Estrella endured, and her son’s dalliances with Serene, then Holly, she was having second thoughts.

Especially since Holly’s miraculous ‘return from the dead, Jason had avoided any 2/3 08:22 scandals. Kristin couldn’t help but suspect his change was for Holly. Had she not laid down the law, stating Holly would never be welcomed, Jason might have been with Holly already.

Kristin stood there, utterly perplexed, staring at Jason. Kristin had intended to agree, to say yes to him and Holly being together, but the thought of Holly’s delicate condition, coupled with the fact that both Estrella and Holly knew each other, made Kristin swallow her words.

Kristin just couldn’t bring herself to welcome Holly into her home, even if it meant giving Estrella her freedom. The truth was, Kristin simply didn’t like the girl and didn’t want her as a daughter-in-law.

Frustrated and at a loss, Kristin expressed her reluctance, but Jason didn’t utter a word in response. He just picked up his jacket and left the house.

Kristin got up and hurried after him. Jay not to fight with Estrella anymore, okay?”

please think about what I just said. And try Jason didn’t respond, just started the car and drove away.

Before long, as the sky turned pitch dark, Jason found himself parked outside the Dorvolds’ residence, almost without realizing it.

He didn’t call Estrella, nor did he go inside to look for her. He just sat there in his car, quietly watching the Dorvolds’ household.

Before ‘that incident,’ he used to visit the Dorvolds often. After ‘that incident,’ they had become strangers to one another.

As memories of the past resurfaced, Jason suddenly felt that the things he once cared so deeply about seemed insignificant now. Looking back, none of it seemed to matter anymore.

It was a sad truth that although they could let go of the past, they could never return to th way things once were. Nothing lasts forever.

Inside the house, Estrella was helping Isaac with his reading and writing when Autumn approached her quietly and murmured, “Estrella, I think Jason’s outside. He’s been out there for a while now.”