Chapter 145

Estrella leaned her elbow on the car window, cradling her face in her hand, and replied to Jason with a lack of energy, “Just thinking about nothing.”

There was still a chasm between her and Jason, an invisible wall that no amount of glossing over the uncomfortable truths could mask. They could never truly return to the way things were before.

Jason had never brought up the past, and Estrella didn’t want to either. Besides, bringing up Jason’s former flame-especially one who had passed away-wasn’t the wisest move she could make. It would only diminish her worth in his eyes and elevate Holly’s importance in his heart, nudging him back into the arms of bygone memories.

“I shouldn’t have brought you here,” Jason muttered.

Estrella looked at him with a playful smile. “So, you don’t want me to be part of your life?”

“You know that’s not what I mean,” Jason replied.

Estrella just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

Before long, they were back at home. Marie greeted them with her usual cheerfulness, saying, “You’re back! Dinner is ready. Mr. Jason just made some ribs that are out of this world-I tried them myself!”

Suppressing a yawn, Estrella responded, “Marie, I’m not hungry. You guys go ahead and

eat.”

Marie wiped her hands on her apron, puzzled. “What’s the matter? How can a little outing’ take away your appetite?”

“We’ll eat later,” Jason said.

Estrella was clearly upset, and Jason noticed it. But then, if she had taken him to Korey’s place, he wouldn’t be thrilled either.

Retreating to their bedroom, Estrella grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. As she splashed water on her face, an inexplicable sense of melancholy washed over her. When she came out of the shower, Jason put aside the case file he was reading and looked at her. “Come on, try to eat something.”

“I’m not hungry,” Estrella said, toweling her hair. Then, placing her hand on her stomach, she teased, “Besides, who knows if I’m pregnant? You haven’t been careful lately, have you?”

speaking nonsense when

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Chapter 145

leaping into his throat. “We should get you checked

his serious reaction, Estrella couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “I was just joking, and you took it seriously.” Though, judging by Jason’s reaction, he probably hadn’t been practicing safe sex

and he pulled her into a kiss as if to silence her teasing lips. Sometimes, he really did wish he could sew

kept laughing, remembering

ribs, at least. And aren’t you going to thank me for today?”

orchestrated the vandalism of Nick’s car. If it weren’t for Estrella’s insistence on not meddling with her work, he would have taken care of the matter long ago without waiting for the law to

hanging in the air, Estrella descended the stairs with him despite her

managed a few bites of Jason’s barbecue ribs, which were, to his

overtime. Initially, she hadn’t planned to work late, but after visiting Serene’s house, she

company.

behind and realized that she wasn’t in the mood for romance. After a work call, he retreated to his study. By the time he finished and returned to the bedroom, Estrella

edge of the bed, Jason realized there was still a barrier between them. That was why Estrella, even in her displeasure, hadn’t talked to him about her concerns tonight. After watching her sleep for a while, Drew called. Jason took

slightly at Drew’s report, but he ended the call with a nonchalant acknowledgment. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Jason was haunted by

secret file on his computer, revealing evidence that it was Estrella who

had been in denial when he first found the evidence,

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Chapter 145

harsh reality. Estrella had started the fire

arranged marriage was indeed

weighing heavily on Jason’s heart. After all, it was due to that devastating fire that Holly lost her life. He closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the thought that if the Ledford family ever found out and

to

was clear to him that he and Estrella could never go back to how things used

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