Web Fic
Chapter 152
Jason had his hands firmly on the steering wheel when Estrella’s question came through, prompting him to steal a glance her way. “If Holly were still here, I would make the same choice, to be with you,” he said with unwavering certainty.
Estrella simply watched him, the corners of her mouth curling into a knowing smile. She had felt a tad juvenile for asking such a hypothetical question. Life wasn’t a bed of
what-ifs.
As Jason met her gaze once more, Estrella offered him a quick smile before turning her attention back to the road ahead. The mysterious Maserati she had encountered twice now lingered in her thoughts. Surely Bryce had some leads by now.
When they arrived home, Marie greeted them with the warmth of a spring breeze. “Mr. Jason, Ms. Estrella, welcome back.” Her joy was palpable, akin to a mother welcoming her children home, even though her recent blunder about Estrella’s pregnancy had left her
a bit embarrassed.
After exchanging pleasantries with Marie, the couple sat down to a home-cooked meal. Estrella had been in good spirits during the drive, but the sight of fish being served made her uneasy, a frown creasing her forehead. Once fond of seafood, she now found the
smell unbearable.
Noticing her discomfort, Jason served her a bowl of consommé. “Not feeling well?” he inquired gently.
Clearing her throat, Estrella took a sip of water “My stomach’s been a bit off,” sheThis material belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
admitted.
Jason placed the bowl before her and signaled to Marie to take the fish away.
Marie couldn’t help but murmur to herself as she carried the fish back to the kitchen. “It’s so odd. She used to love fish, and now it’s as if she can’t stand the smell of it. She’s been going to bed earlier too. These are all tell-tale signs of early pregnancy. I’ve raised two kids of my own and cared for expectant mothers before joining the Nelson family-l should know.” With a puzzled look, Marie decided to prepare a comforting soup for Estrella the next day.
After dinner, Estrella took a quick shower and flopped onto the bed, utterly spent. With Nick’s case wrapped up, she could finally rest easy.
Jason approached the bed, his hand gently kneading the tension at the back of her neck. “Something on your mind?” he asked softly.
Estrella, lounging on her side, pondered the day’s events. “Just the case from today. Human nature is quite complex. Luckily we had Bryce and that brave kid who stepped up. Otherwise, it would’ve dragged on.”
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“I’ll visit that kid with Zoey tomorrow,” she added.
But as soon as Bryce’s name slipped from her lips, Jason’s mood visibly darkened, his massaging hand retracting.
“What did you stop?” Estrella teased, looking up at him.
Jason stood abruptly, his face a mask of cold indifference. “Since you’re so close to Bryce, ask him to do it.
Her laughter broke the tension as she playfully nudged his thigh with her foot. “Jealous, are we?”
Jason brushed her foot aside. “Feet off.” He was irked that, despite his offer to help with evidence for the case, she turned to Bryce instead. What place did he hold as her husband if she’d rather rely on someone else?
Estrella, sensing his intent to leave, quickly blocked him. “Let’s not blow this out of proportion. Besides, Bryce got nothing to do, and he’s good with computers. I’m just making the best use of resources,
Jason scoffed, tapped her forehead with a finger, then lightly pushed her back onto the
bed.
Estrella gently collapsed onto the bed, noticing that her bedside glass of water was empty, With a careless swipe, she knocked the glass onto the floor before gasping, “Jason, did you really have to hit me that hard? You’ve dislocated my arm!”
Prompted by the noise, Jason paled immediately and rushed towards Estrella. He gently helped her up from the bed and objected, “I didn’t use any force.” Honestly, he hadn’t. He’d merely tickled her with his finger.
Sporing her right arm limply, Estrella glared at him and snapped, “Don’t you know I’ve b pampered all my life?” She then winced while clutching her right arm, “It hurts. Don’t to me.”
As Estrella grimaced in pain, Jason found himself filled with worry. Holding her arm gently, he asked “Does it hurt when I touch it?” Before she could respond, he swiftly lifted her off the bed and proposed,
“My grandad’s friend is a skilled bone setter. Let me take you to see him.”
Beads of sweat formed on Jason’s forehead as tension gnawed at him. Much to his surprise, Estrella burst into laughter. She flung her arms around his neck and smirked, “I was just messing with you.”
Estrella’s mirth was infectious, and her arms remained around his neck. After watching her for a moment with a flicker of annoyance mixed with relief in his eyes, Jason promptly dropped her back onto the bed.
Estrella, taken aback, instinctively clutched her belly, then kicked out at Jason. “If you hurt
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me and something happens, you’ll be the one with regrets.”
Returning to the matter at hand, she attempted to rise from the bed, but Jason. intercepted her, pointing out the broken glass on the floor. He then proceeded to clean up the mess with a broom and dustpan.
Watching Jason sweep up the shards, Estrella realized how much he had changed over the years. Once a man who wouldn’t lift a finger, he was now tending to household chores and even cooking the occasional meál a fact that would surely surprise Kristin.
Jason had finished picking up the shattered glass on the floor, and without a word, he flopped down next to Estrella. He didn’t so much as glance her way, clearly still peeved that Estrella had gone to Bryce for help instead of him.
Estrella rolled over and perched herself in his arms, but Jason’s voice was frosty, “Get off.” She already had Bryce, what did she need him for?
“But weren’t you all worried about me just a moment ago?” Estrella asked.
“Get off,” he repeated, his expression unchanging.
Seeing that Jason was still putting up a cold front and ignoring her, Estrella distanced herself from him and spoke. “Fine, if you won’t cuddle with me, I’ll sleep by myself.”
With that, she lay down beside him, wrapping herself in a blanket and deliberately turning
her back to him.
Jason watched her give him the cold shoulder and felt a flare of irritation. Things were different in the past. Whenever he was upset, she’d always make the effort to soothe him. But now, after only a few attempts, she stopped bothering to try.
Damn it, he thought, it was just like they said: once you’ve got what you want, the chase is
over.
Jason held a book in his hands, but he couldn’t seem to turn the pages. He waited, ho Estrella would make a move, but she remained still. Gradually, his foot began to inch toward her side of the bed, almost of its own accord.