Chapter 236

Chapter 236 Her lips were just as soft as they had been three years ago, so tender that once Jason pressed his own against them, he found it nearly impossible to pull away. He gently sucked on her petal-like lips, unable to resist prying them open to explore the sweetness of her tongue. She was as sweet as ever, a sweetness that made him forget the pain of his wounds.

Three years apart, and he missed her terribly, even regretting not cherishing the days they had spent together.

What did it matter that she had set that fire? Looking back, so many things seemed trivial now. After all, people change, their feelings and thoughts ebb and flow.

“Mmm...” It wasn’t until Estrella furrowed her brows and let out a muffled moan, signaling her near awakening, that Jason reluctantly removed his lips and slowly straightened up. He gazed down at Estrella, wishing he could carry her back to bed, but his multiple knife wounds left him too weak to do so. Instead, he let her continue sleeping on the couch.

Dragging his pained body back to bed, Jason turned off the bedside lamp. Estrella disliked sleeping with the light on.

No sooner had the room gone dark than Estrella’s eyes fluttered open. Did Jason take her for a fool? She wasn’t dead, just sleeping. Wasn’t he worried about the awkwardness if she suddenly awoke?

Estrella didn’t bother to decipher Jason’s thoughts, but she knew one thing clearly: she didn’t want to look back.

That was Estrella’s way-if there was even the slightest glimmer of hope, she wouldn’t turn her back on you. She’d give you every chance and greet you with a smile. But once that hope was gone, she’d walk away more freely than anyone else.

She chose not to break the silence, keeping the fragile peace intact.

On the hospital bed, Jason, covered in bandages, spent the entire night without closing his eyes, fixated on Estrella.

The following morning, when Bryce stormed in and found Estrella taking care of Jason, he was livid. But since Jason had saved her, Bryce refrained from lashing out, instead sneering, “Who arranged for Estrella to be here with her leg still healing? For God’s sake.”

No need to guess-it was obviously his aunt, and clearly intentional.

Bryce’s gaze grew icy as he looked at Jason, and then his tone softened, “Don’t give me that look, bro. I’m just worried you’re not getting proper care.”

Emerging from the bathroom, Estrella quipped “You sure are the loudest this morning.”

1/3 10.12 Bryce shot back, “You have some nerve. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? Your face is a sight.” In reality, it wasn’t as bad as Bryce made it out to be.

Before Estrella could respond, Bryce interjected, “I’ve arranged for Lee to take you home to rest. I can look after Jason.”

With that, Estrella didn’t bother with pleasantries and grabbed her bag to leave. That was when Korey arrived.

After inquiring about Jason’s condition, Korey offered Estrella a ride home. So, Bryce and Jason could only watch as Estrella departed with Korey.

As the door to the hospital room closed, Jason turned and gave Bryce a swift kick.

“I had no idea Korey would show up,” Bryce said defensively. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have rushed my Ella back.”

Bryce claimed Estrella was his, and Jason’s frosty gaze swept over him, prompting Bryce to pat his kicked leg, “Estrella isn’t yours anymore either.”

They had been divorced, and Bryce didn’t give a damn about Jason’s feelings anymore. Besides, Jason was injured and couldn’t put up a fight.

Jason gave him a cold look and sat back down on the sofa, to which Bryce seriously asked, “Jason, that fire seven years ago-did you ever find any leads?”

Jason’s expression briefly changed when Bryce brought up the fire, but quickly returned to neutral. “Electrical accident,” Jason replied, then asked, “Why bring that up now?”

Bryce settled onto the adjacent sofa and started peeling an orange, “Just curious.” He would never admit to the deal between Estrella and Serene. That would only stoke Jason’s wrath.

Jason said, “I’ve already investigated it. There’s no point in looking into it again.”

Bryce agreed, eating his orange, though he intended to continue his own investigation.

Jason watched Bryce intently before reminding him, “Let it go, Bryce.” Jason wanted Bryce to drop it because there was evidence not just in his hands but in Holly’s as well. If Bryce had brought up this matter again, and the Ledford family had refused to let bygones be bygones, no matter how much he had tried to pacify the situation, it might not have quelled the unrest.

Plus, the case was still within the statute of limitations, and Jason preferred to leave it be.

Most importantly, all the evidence he had reviewed was incriminating for Estrella; if it weren’t, he would have cleared her name long ago. So, regardless of the past truth or whether it was a momentary lapse by Estrella, it was best left forgotten by all.

Bryce paused with the orange in his hand and smiled at Jason’s warning, “Sure.”

But the more Jason insisted Bryce not investigate, the more curious Bryce became about 2/3 Chapter 236 the truth of that fateful night.

Meanwhile, in Korey’s sleek sedan, the two sat side by side in the backseat. Estrella turned to Korey and asked, “What’s your take on this Glimmering Lake case?”

Estrella had agreed to leave with Korey to hear what he knew. As a high-ranking official, he was privy to more information than they had.

Korey responded, “The case does have its complications, but if new witnesses are willing to come forward, there’s a chance for progress. I fully support a deep dive into the investigation, Estrella. And it’s high time for a clean-up at Ravenwood.”

Relieved by Korey’s words, Estrella settled back into her seat, more determined than ever. At least there were still some clear-

headed folks up there, folks who had their backs.

After a short while, the car stopped at the entrance of the Dorvold family. After Estrella bid Korey farewell and went inside, she took a quick shower, changed into clean clothes, played with Isaac for a while, and then joined Logan and the others to go to Glimmering Lake. This time, they were joined by two other male colleagues, all in the name of safety. As evening approached and their group neared the city center, Estrella’s phone buzzed in her pocket – it was a call from Bryce.

“Bryce,” Estrella answered, and his voice came through promptly. “Ella, that big fire seven years ago, I asked Jason about it this afternoon.”

“What did he say?” Estrella inquired.

“He looked into it before, said it was an electrical fire accident,” Bryce replied. “But he seems to be holding something back, and he insisted that the matter should be dropped there.”

Hearing this, Estrella felt certain that Jason was in the know, so she said, “Then ask him myself tomorrow.”

So, the following morning, after sorting through the new evidence from Glimmering L at the law firm, she drove straight to the hospital.