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Chapter 26
Jason cast an indifferent glance at her, a look that seemed to suggest she was
overstepping her bounds.
“You cooking for me?” Estrella scoffed. “Don’t go chopping off your fingers now. I’d hate to have to rush you to the ER.”
Jason had never done so much as set a table, so what could he possibly whip up in the kitchen? Besides, Jason was way out of her league with his high and mighty attitude. If he really felt guilty and wanted to make it up to her, well, having a child together would settle the score.
Jason threw her a sudden side-eye, prompting Estrella to quickly backtrack, “Alright, alright, I’ll take your generous offer. I’m off to take a shower. I haven’t eaten since lunch. either, so make it a hearty one with some meat, will you?” With her instructions laid out, Estrella yawned her way upstairs.
In the kitchen, Jason set his phone to a video and started rummaging through the fridge for ingredients.
Recalling a visit to the Dorvold family home, Autumn had mentioned Estrella’s delicate stomach and the importance of her eating regularly. Jason hadn’t commented at the time, but Autumn’s words had resonated deep within him.
Now, in the dead of night, he opted for simplicity and settled on making spaghetti-the intricacies of gourmet cooking were beyond him at this hour.
He sliced up some roast beef, threw in a bit of onion and garlic, and considered adding some chili oil for a kick. But then, remembering Estrella’s palate, he reluctantly put the
bottle back.
Estrella descended the stairs at some point, now dressed in a pale pink nightgown with a large bow headband, her presence seemingly ethereal. Her arms crossed, she leaned casually against the doorframe, the hint of a smile playing on her lips.
As Jason sprinkled onions into the pot, he turned to get a plate and caught Estrella watching him silently from the doorway. His face darkened. “Could you make some noise next time?”
Her smile widening, Estrella sauntered over, her curls bouncing with each step. She was enchanting tonight.
Side by side with Jason, she glanced at the beef spaghetti that turned out quite alright and playfully bumped him with her hip. “Can I ask you something?”
Jason gave her a look but kept ladling out the spaghetti, ignoring her.
Her grin grew as she probed, “Why didn’t you answer the question Jesse asked you
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Jason cast an indifferent glance at her, a look that seemed to suggest she was
overstepping her bounds.
“You cooking for me?” Estrella scoffed. “Don’t go chopping off your fingers now. I’d hate to have to rush you to the ER.”
Jason had never done so much as set a table, so what could he possibly whip up in the kitchen? Besides, Jason was way out of her league with his high and mighty attitude. If he really felt guilty and wanted to make it up to her, well, having a child together would
settle the score.
Jason threw her a sudden side-eye, prompting Estrella to quickly backtrack, “Alright, alright, I’ll take your generous offer. I’m off to take a shower. I haven’t eaten since lunch either, so make it a hearty one with some meat, will you?” With her instructions laid out, Estrella yawned her way upstairs.
In the kitchen, Jason set his phone to a video and started rummaging through the fridge for ingredients.
Recalling a visit to the Dorvold family home, Autumn had mentioned Estrella’s delicate stomach and the importance of her eating regularly. Jason hadn’t commented at the time, but Autumn’s words had resonated deep within him.
Now, in the dead of night, he opted for simplicity and settled on making spaghetti-the intricacies of gourmet cooking were beyond him at this hour.
He sliced up some roast beef, threw in a bit of onion and garlic, and considered adding some chili oil for a kick. But then, remembering Estrella’s palate, he reluctantly put the
bottle back.
Estrella descended the stairs at some point, now dressed in a pale pink nightgown with a large bow headband, her presence seemingly ethereal. Her arms crossed, she leaned casually against the doorframe, the hint of a smile playing on her lips.
As Jason sprinkled onions into the pot, he turned to get a plate and caught Estrella watching him silently from the doorway. His face darkened. “Could you make some noise next time?”
Her smile widening, Estrella sauntered over, her curls bouncing with each step. She was enchanting tonight.
Side by side with Jason, she glanced at the beef spaghetti that turned out quite alright and playfully bumped him with her hip. “Can I ask you something?”
Jason gave her a look but kept ladling out the spaghetti, ignoring her.
Her grin grew as she probed, “Why didn’t you answer the question Jesse asked you
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tonight?”
Jason served the spaghetti onto the plate without acknowledging her.
Estrella chuckled, “You can’t possibly still be a virgin, right? Or maybe I should check for myself.”
Jason’s face lined with exasperation, “Even if there were such a bargain, it wouldn’t be with
you.”
“You don’t want to waste a good opportunity on a stranger when you could have me. Besides, who could match my technique? Everyone needs a skilled teacher for their first time.”
The more Estrella spoke, the darker Jason’s expression became. “Estrella, are you sure you still want to have my kid?”
Her words suggested she was quite experienced with men, though in truth, she was a
novice in matters of love.
“Of course, I do,” Estrella replied nonchalantly. I think about it all the time.”
Jason, amused yet not showing it, carried the plate of spaghetti to the dining better watch that mouth of yours.”
area,
“You
Her sharp tongue could have been put to good use in any field, yet she chose to study law, becoming unbeatable in verbal sparring.
Following Jason to the dining table, she sat down gracefully as he pulled out the chair for her and handed her a fork si
casually inquired, “Did you put anything in this that’ll make
me hot and want to strip?”
“Your family cooks spaghetti with that kind of stuff?” Jason shot her a questioning look, baffled by her outrageousness.
“All the time, every meal.” Estrella quipped.
“Stop your nonsense. Just finish this and go to bed.”
Tasting the spaghetti Jason had prepared, she complimented, “Not bad for a rookie. Guess smart folks like you are good at everything, including making babies.”
Jason could only shake his head at her relentless implications. He thought she was serious about wanting to split up.
Seeing that he wasn’t engaging, Estrella switched to a more serious tone, “I need to talk to you about something important.”
“Go ahead.”
“Bring Bryce back. He’s going stir-crazy over there.”
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“He’s still in touch with you? Looks like I need to confiscate his phone.”
“He’s your
our cousin, for heaven’s sake. Are you really going to keep pushing him to the edge? He’s been sick as a dog lately.”
“What’s the use of bringing him back? To encourage you to leave me?”
Jason’s retort caught Estrella off guard, and she paused momentarily. Regaining her composure, she said confidently, “So you don’t want a divorce. You should’ve just said so. Have a kid, and we won’t be able to separate anyway.” Her words seemed to suggest that it was Jason who would be carrying the child.
Jason replied coolly, “Forget about it.”
Estrella said, “I’m serious, though. Let Bryce come back, or your uncle won’t let you off the hook if something happens to him.”
“No.”
“Why can’t you ever listen to reason?”
“Estrella, plead for him one more time, and he’ll stay there another month.”
Silence. Estate quickly pped her lips shut.
Before
Min
of
hadished her meal, and they headed upstairs together.
in emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying his hair, he caught sight ying on Estrella’s laptop. One could only imagine his reaction.
re piercing Estrella, “Estrella!!!”
smiled, “All cleaned up? I found an educational video for you. After all, mors going around about you not being able to perform.”
ing to keep his composure, asked, “What are you up to?”
oached him, her hands finding the tie of his robe. She tiptoed closer,
in his ear, “A full belly makes one think of more carnal things.”
eir ups and downs, Jason had come back tonight, and Estrella still longed for at en if their paths would eventually diverge. Otherwise, her marriage would seem ess, as would the past two years of their cat- and-mouse game.
on’s hands were fire gripping Estrella’s wrists, ready to pull her away, when she held. tight, not letti
ways leave
linen
lason,” she challenged with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “Your ing. Aren’t you afraid that one day I might not be able to bear the out to find someone?”
unfazed. “Reverse psychology, huh?”
don’t have the guts?” Estrella raised her eyebrows provocatively.
15:23 ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
No sooner had her words fallen silent than Jason, with a swift move, scooped her up into his arms. Estrella’s back landed softly-almost scandalously so-on the plush mattress, sending her heartbeat into a rapid frenzy.
Before she could wrap her arms around him, Jason was already pinning her down, interlocking their fingers, holding her close against his chest.
He wanted her-badly.
The desire was palpable, especially tonight, after seeing her exchange laughs and stories. with Korey. The urge to have her beneath him, moaning, begging for mercy, was overwhelming, despite knowing
her intentions weren’t exactly pure.
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