Novel Xo
Chapter 22
Jason’s question was a light bulb moment for Estrella. She realized he knew Korey was back in town and had given her a ride, and now he was looking for an excuse to pick a fight.
Without looking for excuses or feeling guilty, Estrella responded with casual confidence, “Yeah, Korey was back in town and offered me a lift.”
At the mention of Korey, Jason bristled with indignation. “Korey? Estrella, you’re awfully cozy with him.”
He continued his interrogation with a scoff, “Where’s he living, huh? Just so happens to be on your way?” If she had come home any later, Jason would have turned Ravenwood upside down.
Despite Jason’s attitude, Estrella remained composed. “I was waiting for the cab, and he happened to be going my way.”
Jason retorted with a sneer, “What about Thomas, Grayson and the others? Jesse didn’t have time for you? You could ride with anyone else, but you insisted on having him drive you. Didn’t I tell you my driver could have picked you up?”
Estrella was fed up with his relentless questioning. Ultimately, it was Jason who was unreasonable first tonight.
She removed her hair clip with a snap and tossed it onto the dresser, fixing Jason with a defiant gaze. “One phone call from another woman, and you drop everything to rush over, showing concern and accompanying her to the hospital. Now where do you get the nerve to shout at me like this? How can you interrogate me? If you hadn’t done that, would I have needed a ride from Korey?”
“Jason, just because I don’t fuss over every little thing, do you think I’m a pushover? Let me tell you something, if I ever run off with another man, it’ll be because you pushed me into his arms.”
These words had been bottled up inside Estrella for a long time. Estrella always felt that their relationship was like this. There was no need to say too much. As long as she got pregnant, it would be enough.
But Jason was pushing her too far, and he was being too much of a jerk.
When Estrella slammed something in anger, Jason was even more infuriated. “The minute Korey shows up, you’re full of righteousness. You say you’re loyal, but why don’t I believe that?”
Jason was still oblivious to his faults and pushing the blame onto Korey, Estrella snapped, “Yeah! I’m disloyal, you got that right.
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“And Jason, if you’re so done with this marriage, just say the word. There’s no need to beat around the bush. If you don’t want to be the one to file for divorce, I’ll take any blame you want to pin on me.”
She couldn’t stand another day of this. He had accompanied Serene to the hospital without a word, and now he was making a fuss over her catching a ride home. The double standards were unbearable. She was so done with him.
No matter what lineage he came from or how many children he could give her, she was
done.
Mentioning divorce again sent Jason over the edge. His lips curled into a sardonic smile as he looked at her with icy eyes. He stepped close to Estrella, his hand shooting up to grasp her face. “Estrella, if you regret not marrying Korey back then and want to be with him, don’t hide your thoughts. If you’re upfront about it, I might just grant you your wish.”
Estrella jerked his hand away. “Yes, I regret not accepting his proposal, and yes, I want to be with him. Besides, he had saved my life. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity.”
Before Jason could retaliate, Estrella continued, “And just so you know, marrying anyone but you, would be a step up. So hurry up and end this sham of a marriage. Don’t stand in the way of my happiness.”
Throughout their two-year marriage, they had fought many times, and Jason had said his share of hurtful things. Estrella thought she was immune to them by now, but Jason’s biting remarks tonight had truly set her off. Even the most patient person has their limits.
Instead of placating him as usual, she continued the argument. Her words hit Jason hard, darkening his expression further. He clenched his fists in his pockets, the veins on his hands bulging.
Looking down at Estrella, he scoffed, “I’m standing in the way of your happiness? Fine, Estrella, let’s see how happy you can be without me.”
With that, he turned and left, slamming the door behind him with a resounding thud. If he stayed, he couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t continue to escalate the fight, perhaps ending up like ‘that time,’ beyond control. So, he walked away, swallowing his anger.
In the quiet of the room, Estrella rested her hand on her forehead, the echo of the slammed door ringing in her ears, her heart unsettled.
Damn it, not a single day of peace.
At the bar, Jason downed several drinks, but the fire of anger in his chest still raged. He chuckled bitterly, “She wants my blessing. She must be dreaming.”
Bryce, ever the blithe spirit, said, “Bro, if you keep this up, my Ella won’t need your blessing
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to run off with someone else.”
A cold glare from Jason, and Bryce quickly corrected himself, “Not my Ella. Your Ella.”
Thomas chimed in, “Jason, Korey was just giving her a lift. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill, man.”
Jason remained silent. He was petty and he knew it.
As Jason stewed, Bryce continued cracking nuts, “What’s he got to be jealous about? My Ella just caught a ride. Meanwhile, Jason here’s the actual shameless one, accompanying that woman to the hospital, even dropping her off at her door. Leaving his own wife hanging while he plays nice with someone else’s girl? He’s got no right to be mad at my Ella. If it were me, I’d have cheated on him a thousand times over. Seriously, what’s he thinking? What do those other women have to do with him?”
As Bryce ranted, Thomas looked on, unable to stop him. Didn’t this fool remember getting transferred to the Antarctica for three months last time because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut?
Bryce had just come back, and now he was asking for it again?
After Bryce finished his tirade, Thomas lamented, “Can you please shut your mouth?”
Bryce puffed out his chest, with a streak of defiance in his voice as he declared, “I’ve got to stand up for Estrella. Otherwise, Jason will think he’s got the upper hand.”
“Bryce, you’re the man.” Thomas cheered, patting Bryce on the back, which only made Bryce’s grin widen with pride.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
However, that self-assured smile quickly wilted when his gaze inadvertently met Jason’s. The air around Bryce seemed to grow heavier, and his once-beaming face now struggled to hold the smile.