SWNOVELS Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Estrella slowed her pace and, with her usual nonchalant smile, quipped, “Finding me to file a lawsuit?” It was as though she and
Jason were mere acquaintances, not husband and
wife.
Jason flicked the remains of his cigarette to the ground and stamped it out. “Not planning on coming home?”
She quirked a brow and gestured to the door behind her. “Hey! Isn’t that my home?”
Jason, with his hands buried in his pockets, watched Estrella in silence for a moment before speaking up, “Estrella, I’m here now.
Let’s both step back, and besides, Mom’s starting to get suspicious.”
Estrella nearly laughed. She had retreated as far as she could. Where else was she supposed to go?
However, she didn’t feel like arguing with Jason about who was right or wrong. Suppressing a yawn, she said, “Deal with your
mom on your own. I need to get some sleep.”
As Estrella turned towards her door, Jason caught her arm, pulling her back.
Estrella faced him.. “Jason, what’s the deal? It’s late at night. Don’t make me call security.””
Jason gripped her arm and spun her back towards him. “I’m giving you a way out here, Estrella. Take the hint.”
“Don’t bother!” she snapped. “I don’t need it. Besides, I’m notorious for being shameless, which you should know by now.”
Did she have to accept it just because he offered? Who did he think he was?
Estrella was unfazed, and Jason was losing his cool. He had come all the way here, humbled himself before her, yet she still
demanded more? Jason swallowed his “What do you want?”
anger.
Estrella pulled her hand free, exasperated. “Mr. Jason, stop looking for me. Stay out of my sight, and I’ll be over the moon.”
She had stopped seeking him out, but time after time, he came to her, never with good intentions, always ending in arguments.
They should just stay far apart!
Jason furrowed his brows. “You’ve made up your mind, then? You want a divorce?”
“Yes, I do!” Estrella began, but Jason cut her off. “Don’t even think about it, Estrella. Get back to Sandalwood Oasis, or it’s bad
for both our companies.”
Estrella chuckled, mocking him, “Jason, I never realized how hypocritical you could be. When you didn’t come back, why didn’t
you consider the companies then? If you play your
1/3
11:321
games, I’ll play mine.” She put up with enough for the sake of their marriage, turning a blind eye to all the rumors about him.
Now, she didn’t care. What was him in his heart. now anyway?
Since he gave her no respect, he should not expect any in return. If he made her life hard, why not make it hard for each other?
Jason turned pale. “Fine, Estrella. You want to play hardball? Let’s see who dares to have you then.”
Estrella pushed past him. “Excuse me, don’t block my way. I need to sleep.”
As she tried to move past him, Jason grabbed her arm and slammed her against the nearby wall, leaning in to kiss her lips. It
was a fierce, overwhelming kiss from Jason, but Estrella pushed him away fiercely and, with a sharp slap across his face, she
said, “Jason, I held back from exposing you out of respect. Could you show some decency? Don’t mess with me just because
you’re unhappy. I’ve facilitated things for you. I’ve moved out of Sandalwood Oasis. If you, Jason, are willing, I’m ready to split up
anytime. What more do you want?”
Jason’s face burned from the slap. Through gritted teeth, he asked, “Why wouldn’t I want to continue our marriage?”
Estrella laughed in frustration. “Are you treating me like a fool, or do you think I’m blind? You pine for Holly in front of me. I
helped you out of a car, but you didn’t even let me touch you. Some trivial issue came up at Serene’s, and you rushed back
overnight.”
“You despise me so much, and you can’t stand my touch. Isn’t it better if I stay away? And now you’re here at Waterfall Acres,
blocking my way. What do you really want? Do you want some kind of evidence against me? Should I just give it to you plain and
simple?”
After a tiring day and with her stomach still not fully recovered, Estrella was truly annoyed by all this. She had already distanced
herself. What more did Jason want?
He might not need rest, but others did. She hadn’t wanted to argue with Jason about. these things, but he was being too
relentless.
When Estrella brought up Holly and Serene, Jason’s hands returned to his pockets, and after a long silence, he finally looked at
her and said, “Estrella, don’t be so unreasonable.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m unreasonable. I’m inconsiderate. Go find someone else to reminisce with. I’m done playing this game.”
Jason’s face was a picture of frustration. He blocked Estrella’s path without yielding, so she pushed him aside. “Don’t come
around anymore. You deal with your family.” For over two years, she had managed the messes he made, explaining things away
to her family.
Seeing that Estrella was serious, that she wouldn’t come back even when he came to fetch her, Jason didn’t bother trying to
reason with her or argue anymore. He simply grabbed her by the nape of her neck and steered her toward the elevator.
2/3
Estrella resisted, pushing Jason away to hit the elevator button, but he blocked her. “Enough with the drama. Are you really
going to stay here and not go home?”
As the elevator descended, Estrella, furious, pummeled him with her bag. “Can’t you ever stop? It’s late. Do you have to disturb
everyone’s rest?” She was genuinely tired and her stomach was still aching.
Jason didn’t retaliate but just held her by the nape, pulling her to stand beside him.
Moments later, the elevator doors opened, and as he ushered Estrella out, she stumbled but caught herself. Turning to face him,
she said, “Jason, it took me a long time to decide to let you go. Don’t take it for granted. Otherwise, I might change my mind and
start demanding a baby. Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Jason, once more gripping the back of her neck, guided her towards the parking lot. “Fine, have as many kids as you want.”
Estrella declared with a bold challenge, “Whoever doesn’t bring kids into this world is a
chicken!”
When the two returned to their Sandalwood Oasis abode, Estrella seized the opportunity while Jason was next door in the study
fetching something to lock the master bedroom door from the inside.
Jason came back to find the door wouldn’t budge. His face twisted in annoyance as he rattled the doorknob and pushed against
the door, calling out, “Estrella, open up!”
Inside, Estrella was sprawled out on the bed, carelessly kicking the comforter over herself, enveloping her body from head to toe,
blatantly ignoring Jason.
Jason had no intention of having a child with her, and even if he was up for it, she wasn’t in the least bit interested. It was a
standoff, with Estrella confident that she could outlast
him. Sooner or later, he’d have to broach the subject.
And if he didn’t, well, she would, but not now. She was too caught up in dealing with Ryan’s case and didn’t have the energy to
bicker with him.
Burrowing herself under the blankets, Estrella ignored Jason’s persistent knocking, drifting off into her own slumber.
But with no lunch or dinner, hunger pangs jolted her awake in the dead of night. Lying. motionless on the bed, she resisted the
urge to get up and scavenge for food, but her stomach was having none of it, growling loud enough to disrupt her rest.
After tossing and turning, Estrella sat up abruptly. Her hair was a tousled mess. She decided to grab a bite after all.
Slipping on her slippers, she sleepily opened the door, only to find Jason, with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorway of
the opposite room, watching her intently. In a flash, her drowsiness vanished, and she instinctively stepped back.