Web Fic
Chapter 129
Estrella handed Zoey a handful of tissues. She said soothingly, “First things first, let’s head to the hospital to check on your sister. Then we’ll gather clues and evidence to see what charges we can press that’ll stick.”
“Thank you, Estrella,” Zoey replied, her eyes reflecting the glimmer of hope she saw in Estrella for justice for her sister.
Estrella had made a minor breakthrough in Ryan’s case, which had gotten some media coverage. Now, her acquaintances and old classmates were paying more attention to her, feeling quite proud to know someone so accomplished.
Back in her school days, Estrella was the talk of the campus. Now, all the schools she’d attended, especially Ravenwood College, boasted about her achievements.
Still young, Estrella had a long road ahead with many more opportunities to make headlines, crack high-profile cases, and maybe even tackle international incidents. Her reputation was already up there, rivaling Jason’s on the global stage.
But all that was a tale for another time.
After visiting the comatose Lexi at the hospital and reviewing the photos Zoey provided, Estrella could almost confirm that Lexi had suffered domestic abuse. A thorough medical examination would likely reveal a history of older injuries.
The photos Zoey snapped on the day Lexi was rushed to the hospital after falling from the third floor also showed clear marks on her neck, indicating strangulation. So, the truth of what happened that day went beyond a simple argument that led Lexi to jump. The full story behind her fall remained a mystery.
Estrella felt a weight in her heart as she sat at her desk with the evidence spread before her. She would occasionally flash back to the moment Jason had pushed her.
Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open, but she was so immersed in her work that she
didn’t notice Jason’s entrance.
Jason approached, carrying a steaming mug of hot milk, and placed it beside her, noting the glasses perched on her nose as she delved into work. “Working on a new case?” he asked, as she had only recently taken a brief respite after wrapping up Ryan’s case. Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
Without so much as glancing at Jason, Estrella murmured, “Yeah. A high school friend thinks sister’s been a long-term victim of domestic abuse, and it escalated to attempted
murder.”
At the mention of a classmate, Jason tensed up. “Is this friend a guy or a girl?”
Estrella couldn’t help but chuckle, pausing her work to look at him and teasing, “A guy,” before adding with a smirk, “And there’s a personal angle, too.”
11:33
Jason’s expression darkened momentarily before Estrella clarified, “It’s a girl. What else were you thinking?” With that, Estrella refocused on the evidence and case files.
Having seen Lexi at the hospital, she decided to take the case. The exact charges were still under consideration, but Estrella didn’t rule out the possibility of pushing for an attempted murder charge.
Jason didn’t disturb Estrella since she was absorbed in her work. He picked up a book with a gold- rimmed pair of glasses and settled into bed to read.
At midnight, as Estrella stretched and prepared to wrap up, Jason intended to suggest it was time for bed.
After clearing her desk, Estrella sat down next to Jason, who turned to her with a question, “Doesn’t dealing with all this wrongdoing ever scare you? Aren’t you afraid it might affect you?”
Estrella smiled, “I’ve seen so much darkness, so I strive to keep my heart light. I hope that through my efforts, society can become just a little fairer.”
Looking into her clear, bright eyes, Jason was reminded of how Estrella once chased down a hit-and- run bus driver for two entire blocks in middle school. In college, she saved a child from being hit by a car, only to be mistaken for a criminal until the neighborhood surveillance footage cleared her name. Those were just a few instances of Estrella’s inherent bravery, which had only matured with her over the years.
As Estrella slipped off her jacket and crawled into bed, Jason turned off the light and wrapped his arms around her.
Estrella blocked him with her hands, “Not tonight. I’m not in the mood.” She really wasn’t feeling it, partly because she’d sent a sample for testing and partly due to the weight of the day’s case.
“And besides,” she thought, “we should wait for the test results.”
Jason tugged at her clothes playfully. “If you’re dealing with cases like this every day, are you ever going to be in the mood?”
With her eyes closed, Estrella promised, “Tomorrow, I’ll make it up to you.”
She was truly exhausted from a night of sorting through evidence. “Why are you pulling at my pants? If you can’t control yourself, go to the bathroom.”
“I’m not without a wife. Why would I go to the bathroom for that?”
Despite her best efforts to resist, Estrella still ended up conceding more than she
intended, and if not for sheer fatigue, she might not have escaped his advances that
night.
11:33
The next morning, amidst a busy schedule at the law firm, Estrella received a call from the hospital. “Is this Estrella? The results for the sample you submitted are in. You can come to pick them up,” the voice on the other end informed her.
“Alright, I’ll be there shortly. Thank you,” Estrella replied before hanging up and excusing herself to drive to the hospital.
“Estrella,” called the nurse, prompting her to rise from the waiting area and head to the
office.
The same obstetrician who had seen her before now handed her the diagnostic results, saying, “Your husband’s been on birth control. That’s why you haven’t conceived. But you’re still young, and there’s plenty of time to have children later if you wish. If you’re really eager to start a family now, just have a chat with your husband. After all, life’s pressures are pretty significant these days.”
The doctor shared the results with Estrella, offering advice and reassuring her that by today’s standards, 23 was still young to start a family. At her age, many young folks were just embarking on their careers, striving to make their mark in the world.
“Dr. Robin, I can’t thank you enough,” Estrella said with an outward calmness that belied the raging inferno of anger swirling within her.
That scumbag, Jason, if he didn’t want kids, all he had to do was say the word. But no, he had to go behind her back and take precautions like she was some kind of fool.
If he was really done with this relationship, why couldn’t he just man up and tell her straight? She wouldn’t cling to him. She’d walk away with her head held high. But this? What was this game he was playing?
Clutching the lab results in her hand, Estrella felt like a top spinning out of control, her anger at Jason reaching a boiling point. She’d always fancied herself as sharp, but apparently, he was the one pulling the strings. He’d managed to sleep with her while avoiding the possibility of pregnancy, all without the decency of handing her a condom.
Stepping out of the hospital with the damning report, Estrella’s face was a storm cloud of fury. Even when Kristin sent her a message about catching a cheater, she hadn’t looked this grim.
This was it. Tonight, Jason would have hell to pay.