Web Fic
Chapter 144
Estrella, with an effortless grace, said, “Go on! I wait for you.” Since she had
accompanied Jason here, she could certainly keep her cool.
Jason went with Vincent into the room, and Estrella and Serene remained in the living room. Serene, looking nervous, gazed at Estrella for a long while before blurting out, “Estrella, have you had dinner? I can whip something up for you.”
Estrella declined, “You don’t have to.”
Serene insisted, “Then let me get you a glass of water.”
Since Serene was adamant about hospitality, Estrella didn’t stand on ceremony. They each settled on a couch. Estrella was composed and relaxed, while Serene seemed ill at ease, like a child who had done something wrong as if this wasn’t even her own home.
Biting her lip, Serene looked back at Estrella, envying her for always seeming so unflappable.
Estrella took a sip of her water, setting the cup down on the coffee table when Serene burst out, “Jason has been such a help to Vincent and me. If it wasn’t for Jason, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m so grateful that…”
Her voice trailed off as she caught Estrella’s direct gaze. Realizing her mistake, she hurriedly stopped mid-sentence, explaining, “Estrella, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not trying to brag. I’m just really thankful for Jason, and it’s… awkward sitting here in silence.” Estrella smiled nonchalantly. Serene’s behavior was ambiguous. Sometimes Estrella couldn’t even tell if Serene was genuinely mean or just putting on an act.
As Estrella looked at Serene, she calmly said, “Jason mentioned that you once saved him.” Seizing the topic, Serene quickly said, “Yes!” then continued, “Actually, during that big fire three years ago, Jason was in the room too. I just happened to be passing by and busted in. There were two firefighter masks inside, and one was broken. Holly gave the only working one to Jason, and that’s why he turned out okay. But Holly… her health wasn’t good to begin with, so…”
Her voice faded, not finishing the thought.
That fire had been so fierce, and for a moment, Serene had almost lacked the courage to enter. But thinking of Jason inside, she had ultimately gone in. Holly had been conscious at the time, urging her to save Jason first. Serene had listened to Holly.
The memories surged, and Serene’s demeanor softened from anxiety to melancholy.
Serene recounted the past lightly while Estrella simply observed. So it turned out that
00:52
Jason had been right there during Holly’s incident, and Holly had given her mask to him. Jason had never mentioned this to Estrella. He never told her he had been there as well.
Estrella’s silence prompted Serene to ask, “Estrella, didn’t you know about this?” then added, “Jason didn’t tell you, probably because he didn’t want to worry you.”
With a sigh, Serene said, “Jason looks after me because I saved him and Holly. Later, we heard that fire was set deliberately, but somehow the case just fizzled out, and the arsonist was never caught.”
As Serene explained, Estrella’s gaze drifted toward Vincent’s room. The muffled sound of Jason discussing a problem with Vincent carried faintly to them, and Estrella suddenly realized just how distant she and Jason had become. He hadn’t even shared the details
of such a serious event with her.
Thinking back, it was ‘that time’ on the rooftop their argument, his slap, and how they had stopped talking altogether since then, even at Holly’s funeral. His gaze had been particularly icy as if she were his enemy.
At that moment, the feeling of being an outsider returned. Serene knew all his affairs. They shared a life-and-death bond. With his family background and pride, Jason still managed to integrate into Serene’s life. Over the past couple of years, Jason had probably visited Serene’s home far more times than he had the Dorvold family’s.
Estrella’s gaze returned from Vincent’s room, and she spoke evenly, “Don’t worry. Jason will uncover the truth.”
“Absolutely! I trust Jason,” Serene nodded vigorously, then added, “So Estrella, please don’t
misunderstand me.”
Serene seized the moment to make amends with Estrella, who simply smiled, “You’re not even on my radar.”
Estrella was clear on one thing. Serene wouldn’t be accepted by the Nelson family. However, if Jason insisted on looking out for Serene in other ways, there was nothing she could do. One could manage another’s actions, but not their heart. Besides, men didn’t need to be managed. If you were in a man’s heart, he wouldn’t let you be misunderstood or upset.
Estrella’s words left Serene looking as if she wanted to say more, but ultimately, she held
back.
Just then, the unlocked front door swung open and Drew came bustling in. “Serene, you home?”
His words halted as he caught sight of Estrella and he jumped, greeting her, “Ms. Estrella.” Seeing the two women in conversation, he added, “Ms. Estrella, I got held up with some family stuff. Sorry for making you come out here, too.”
09:52
Estrella rose smoothly from the couch. “I needed some fresh air.”
Inside, Jason heard Drew’s voice and came out of the room. “You made it.”
“Mr. Jason,” Drew greeted, then said, “Mr. Jason, why don’t you and Ms. Estrella head back? I’ve got it covered here, and the doctor will be here soon.”
With Drew’s arrival, Jason approached Estrella and took her hand. “We’ll leave this to you, then. Estrella and I will head back.”
Vincent rushed over and clung to his arm. “Jason, are you going already? Can’t you stay and play a bit longer?”
Jason glanced at his watch and realized it was getting late. “Hey, Ella hasn’t had her dinner yet. I better take her home for some grub. You hang here with Drew, alright?”
Vincent reluctantly let go of Jason’s arm upon hearing this. “Okay, then.”
The siblings watched Jason walk away with Estrella. Their eyes were heavy with goodbyes until the two disappeared from sight, leaving them lingering outside.
Drew nudged Vincent, reminding him that Jason had left. Vincent turned to Serene, a wistful note in his voice. “Wouldn’t it be awesome if you were Jason’s wife? Then we could all be one big happy family, living under the same roof.”
Serene’s face flushed with surprise. “Vincent, what are you talking about? Jason and Ella are the family unit here.”
She then turned to Drew, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “Sorry, Drew. My little brother doesn’t know what he’s saying. Don’t take it to heart.”
”ו
get it,” Drew said with a dismissive wave, changing the subject. “How’s your mom doing? Does she need to go to the hospital?”
As the Maybach hummed to life, Estrella’s mind was still echoing with Serene’s words about Jason being present during that devastating fire. That meant he had witnessed Holly’s death firsthand.
Estrella had been silent the whole ride, prompting Jason to steal a glance her way. “Penny for your thoughts?” She seemed worlds away from the person she was in the kitchen. He regretted bringing her along, yet he knew they couldn’t have avoided today’s confrontation. It seemed like she was once again building walls between them. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Estrella was like that-holding her cards close and never tipping her hand. You always knew she had a knife, but you could never predict when she’d decide to let it drop.