Chapter 75

Chapter 75 Jason’s lips were as soft as a marshmallow, and the way his kisses peppered down on her face was so ridiculous that Estrella couldn’t help but laugh. She’d only washed a couple of his shirts out of sheer boredom, but the guy was acting like she’d just saved his life.

After a flurry of smooches, Jason rested his chin on her shoulder, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Estrella glanced at him sideways. “Jason, you’re selling yourself short! Getting all emotional over a couple of laundered shirts?”

She knew his habit of not wearing a shirt for more than two days, so she’d just helped him ou. After all, he had come all this way to see her. No matter what his purpose was, he had at least put his heart into it.

To Estrella’s teasing, Jason replied with a cool edge, “Estrella, do you really think I came all this way to ask you to wash my shirts?”

“Or was it that you missed me?” Estrella probed.

She knew Jason’s little schemes better than anyone. He must have heard some unreliable gossip and come to confront her, only to find nothing. She just couldn’t be bothered to call him out on it.

Jason didn’t respond to Estrella’s jest, instead pressing his face against hers. “If I don’t reach out to you, you just won’t bother, will you?”

Estrella bristled at his words. “Now, that’s heartless, Jason. In over two years of marriage, I’ve caught you red-handed many times. And now you have the nerve to bite back?”

Jason’s face darkened. “Caught me doing what exactly? Do you have any solid evidence?” Upon hearing this, Estrella retorted, “Don’t rush me! When I get the proof, I’ll make sure the divorce leaves you penniless.”

Jason scooped her up from the ground. “You gan scheme all you want with my body, but forget about the money.” She could trick him with anything, but money was off-limits.

“Are you this stingy with everyone else? Not shelling out a dime?” Estrella challenged.

Jason flopped her down on the bed. His voice was laced with arrogance, “There’s a line of women eager to spend money just for the pleasure of my company. Why would I need to spend a cent?”

“So what you’re saying is, if I haven’t slept with you, it’s because I’m stingy?” Estrella shot back.

Before she knew it, Jason’s lips were on hers again. In the heat of their passionate kiss, Jason stripped away Estrella’s clothes, but his expression suddenly changed. “Estrella, 11:31 you’re on your period. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Estrella burst into laughter at Jason’s frustrated look. “You didn’t call me before coming over, did you?”

She had seen through Jason’s intentions all along and deliberately kept it from him. After all, he had a habit of turning tail and running halfway through their encounters.

As Estrelle gloated, Jason pulled her close and turned off the light. “Let’s sleep.”

Forced into his embrace, Estrella felt a wave of nostalgia. It was as if they had returned to the days long past when they had still been close, and his embrace was always filled with that familiar scent.

In the deep, dark night, as Jason’s hand wandered suggestively, Estrella scolded, “Seriously? Take care of yourself in the bathroom.”

Jason didn’t argue with her. He directly used her hand to masturbate. Once e Jason finished, Estrella wiped her hands on him disdainfully and proposed, “You should talk to your mom. Tell her to stop hounding me about grandchildren like the Grim Reaper.

She called again today.”

Without hesitation, Jason refused, “No way.” If he did that, Estrella would never turn to him again. Besides, this was the only connection between them.

Seeing his reaction, Estrella dug her toenails into his calf with at “Estrella!”

vengeance.

“I’ve just done you a favor. You can’t handle a little scratch?”

“Sleep.”

After another command, Jason drew her into his arms again.

The night was quiet, and it had been a long time since they’d been this peaceful together.

The next morning, Estrella was roused by her alarm clock. She was getting ready to head over to Ryan’s place when Drew came trudging in, dutifully delivering Jason’s clothes.

Appreciating Drew’s loyalty, Estrella said half-jokingly, “Drew, I’m seriously tempted to steal you away from Jason.”

Drew, ever the professional, replied, “Ms. Estrella, that’s high praise indeed.” Then he raised his voice for emphasis, “Mr. Jason cares a great deal about you, Ms. Estrella.”

Estrella responded nonchalantly, “He came all this way for nothing. It’s not easy for him.” She was fishing for information, trying to figure out what rumors had driven Jason to her doorstep.

Drew managed a tight-lipped smile, saying nothing. He hadn’t expected his boss to dash over here just because he heard Korey was in town for a conference.

Actually, they cared about each other. Why couldn’t they justreconcile? The past was the past, after all.

“Ms. Estrella, you rest up. I’ve got to get going. After a formal goodbye, Drew made a hasty retreat, eager to avoid any further probing from Estrella.

The door closed softly behind her, and when Estrella returned to the room, Jason was half-awake.

“Who were you talking to so early in the morning?” he asked.

“Just my lover,” Estrella retorted with a glance.

Jason rolled his eyes at her lack of seriousness.

“Drew brought your clothes. You decide if you’re going back or what. That’s on you.”

“Why would I go back without you?”

Estrella shrugged, “Suit yourself. But I’ll be busy here for the next couple of days.”

She was upfront about her activities. He could do as he pleased. She had work to attend to. After saying that, Estrella grabbed her things and headed to Ryan’s, while Jason chose to continue resting at the hotel.

Jason himself couldn’t quite articulate why he’d rushed over without a second thought. Was he trying to catch her cheating?

He wanted evidence but dreaded finding any. However, he couldn’t deny that he minded Estrella not reaching out to him.

Especially after his mother had called her the previous day, she still hadn’t contacted him. That had unsettled him enough to pick her law firm.

up from the When he didn’t see her, the burning desire to see her intensified, and his behavior increasingly erratic. He didn’t seem to have the upper hand as before.

grew In the room, Estrella had left just moments ago, and Jason soon got up, tidied himself, and started working from his room. A guy like him could never afford to waste time, so when Drew brought over his clothes, he also delivered Jason’s laptop and work files.

Estrella, for her part, had been out since morning, busy with Ryan’s case and hadn’t. returned to the hotel for lunch.

Around 5:30 PM, having nearly finished visiting Ryan’s relatives and neighbors and gathering information on old stories, Estrella headed back to the hotel.

The story of Ryan’s childhood weighed heavily on her. Even after becoming a lawyer and understanding the hardships some people would face, she could never imagine that at 11:31 boy who was even younger than her had endured such an inhumane existence. While Ryan was locked up in a pigsty, she was already chauffeured to school, decked out in international designer brands.

However, the thought that the information she collected tod sentence offered Estrella a sliver of consolation.

might help reduce Ryan’s As the cab neared the hotel, Estrella quickly composed herself. Ever since she was young, no matter what she faced, no matter how upset she was, she always managed her emotions well, making sure not to burden others with her troubles, always a poised and cheerful.

Unless she was too infuriated to hold back.

appearing The taxi pulled up to the hotel. Estrella paid the fare. Just as she stepped out, she heard someone call her name from behind.

She turned around, and her eyes widened in surprise.

11-31 4/4 Korey! What was he doing here?