Novel Storm
Chapter 88
Estrella brushed off Jason’s explanation with a wave of her hand, “If you’re trying to tick me off, why bother telling me at all?”
Jason looked at her with downcast eyes. “Don’t you get what I’m trying to say?”
He did not apologizing outright, but Jason felt his message was crystal clear.
Estrella smoothly slipped out of his embrace and strode to the door, flinging it open. “Feeling better? Then go back to your own room.”
The gift was his own business, but the way he had looked at her that day, that was something she’d remember for a lifetime. So right now, she wasn’t about to be treated like a naive child, coaxed with sweet nothings – especially when there wasn’t even anything sweet on offer.
Jason was nearly beside himself with rage when Estrella opened the door. He stared at her for a long moment before turning away, “Not really.”
At the doorway, Estrella’s patience snapped. She whipped off her slipper and hurled it at him, “Playing shameless, are we?”
The slipper hit Jason squarely on the back of His head, causing him to turn back around. Eyeing the slipper now lying beside him, he picked it up and dropped it on the floor, his patience thinning as he explained, “Estrella, I’m trying to make amends here.”
The implication was clear: he was here to make peace. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Estrella couldn’t care less and gestured for him to leave.
Jason remained motionless, watching her before suddenly rising from the bed with a gruff, “Fine, I’m outta here.”
She didn’t want his company, and he wasn’t keen on sticking around. But as he approached Estrella, his steps hesitated. Then, in a swift move, he scooped Estrella up and kicked the door shut behind them.
Estrella’s back hit the soft mattress, and as she swung her foot at Jason, he pinned her wrists down and trapped her with a light press of his leg, saying, “If you want to make it public that you’re the Dorvold family’s lady, I’m not opposed.”
Her expression darkened instantly. If the word got out, her career as a lawyer would become a lot less enjoyable.
Locking eyes with Jason, she struggled, “Jason, what the hell do you want?”
He had snubbed her earlier for Serene, and now here he was, repeatedly seeking her out, playing both sides with a master’s finesse.
Estrella stopped insisting he leave, prompting Jason to say, “With your attitude, what else
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could I want?”
He had planned to make a move under the influence, but she was as unyielding as if she’d swallowed an atomic bomb, utterly impervious to sweet talk or reason.
As Estrella aimed another kick at him, his expression darkened, “You really think I can’t take you?” He then held her tighter, “Just let me hold you.”
He added after a moment, “Nothing more.”
When Jason said nothing more, Estrella believed him after all, she’d always been the one calling the shots. “Either go to your room or crash on the couch,” she told him. “Your choice.”
“What haven’t I seen or touched of you before?
Estrella almost choked on her breath, her foot aiming for his groin, but Jason was quick to block it. He then pulled her into his embrace, turned off the main light, and closed his eyes with her in his arms. At that moment, Jason knew all too well that this fleeting peace was shamelessly earned.
Looking up at Jason, Estrella remarked, “Jason, how did I never notice how shameless. you are?”
He rubbed his chin against her neck, “Learned from the best – you.”
Estrella scoffed, “Blaming others? You’re the champion.”
After her words, she turned her back to him, and Jason wrapped an arm around her waist while his hand ventured toward her chest.
Estrella caught his hand and tossed it aside, “Have you no shame?”
Jason nuzzled her face, “You don’t want a baby now?”
“I don’t,” she replied shortly.
Jason massaged her waist. “Still angry?”
“You’re not that important.”
She wasn’t angry with him; she was just tired and wanted to sleep. Estrella tightened her nightgown and secured the belt, and Jason held her without any more fuss. Knowing Estrella’s character, the fact that she hadn’t kicked him out already meant she was being quite accommodating.
Everyone said Estrella had a good temper, but only Jason knew the truth. Generally speaking, don’t get on her bad side, or it wouldn’t matter if you were the king of the world. After holding Estrella for a while, Jason gave her a squeeze, “Estrella, let’s talk.”
But as his words fell, there was no response. He leaned in to check and found her already
11:33
asleep.
Grayson said she liked him. Why had he been so unwilling to believe it?
“Estrella, open up.”
The next morning, Estrella was awoken by a furious banging on her door.
With her arm resting on her eyes, she kicked away Jason’s legs draped over her until the banging of the door echoed again. Only then did Estrella reluctantly get out of bed with half-closed eyes.
Opening the door to find Bryce, all hustle and bustle, Estrella yawned. “What’s the rush? You trying to wake the dead?”
Bryce, holding a breakfast bag, couldn’t wait to break the news. “Estrella, do you know who took away the Golden Gaze necklace? It was Jason.”
At Bryce’s words, Estrella, still groggy with sleep, replied, “I know.”
Her admission stopped Bryce in his tracks. He turned to her, incredulous. “You know?”
“Yeah, the necklace is already hanging around Serene’s neck.”
Bryce exploded. “He gave the necklace to Serene?” Not waiting for Estrella’s response, Bryce slammed the breakfast down on a nearby table. “Estrella, how can you stomach this? How can you swallow this injustice?”
“I’ve told you a hundred times Jason’s no good There’s nothing to hold onto with him. I said stop putting all your eggs in one basket and get the divorce already, but you just won’t listen. What, you think you’re immune to the ailments that come from a woman’s fury?”
“Jason…” Estrella began, only to be cut off by Bryce’s impatient interjection. “Jason, wha about him? He’s a real piece of work, isn’t he? Generous to everyone else, but what about you? Been married over two years now, has he ever even bought you as much as a sewing needle?”
“That guy, only you could put up with him. Any other woman would’ve walked out on him a hundred times over. Look, I’m laying down the law here, Estrella. You’re going to ditch him, pronto. Even if it means you’re flying solo for the rest of your days, you can’t stay
with him.”
No sooner had Bryce laid down his verdict than Jason, bleary-eyed with sleepiness, ambled out from the room. “Bryce, am I really as terrible as you’re making me out to be?”
Jason’s sudden appearance caught Bryce completely off guard.
Hold on, weren’t they at odds? What was Jason doing in Estrella’s room now?
11:33
Bryce’s gaze swung towards Estrella, who looked back at him with a face full of
sympathy. “I was trying to tell you, he’s here. You just didn’t give me the chance.”