abcnovels
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
“| know Jason came looking for you,” Bryce said with a hint of concern in his voice, “but Serene’s little brother got hit by the principal's car last night. | think my brother might head back to Ravenwood, so | came over.”
Estrella paused for a moment upon hearing Bryce’s words, and then let out a sarcastic laugh. She recalled when she had just come out of the bathroom, Jason had suddenly vanished. So that was the reason.
Bryce quickly tried to console her, “Estrella, don’t overthink it. Maybe | got it wrong.” In truth, he had indeed heard that Jason had left the hotel at that time. Fearing that Estrella might be troubled, he had come over.
Estrella smirked, “This isn’t the first time. I’m used to it by now.”.
“Estrella, there’s something else I’ve got to confess,” Bryce continued, with a hint of apprehension. “But you gotta promise not to get mad or hit me after | tell you.”
Estrella’s gaze turned frosty. “Spill it.” Bryce saw
the stern look in her eyes and blurted out, “That morning when | went to see you, Korey called you, and | told my brother about that. He probably came after you the day before yesterday because of what | said. Estrella, | swear, it wasn’t on purpose. | just... said it casually.”
Bryce’s scaredy-cat demeanor made Estrella dismiss it. “Fine, you came all this way to keep me company and even brought breakfast, I'll let it slide.”
But deep down, she knew whether Bryce snitched or not, Jason would have his suspicions and would’ve come anyway. It was hard to tell which of the two was being the troublemaker.
Around eleven, after her IV at the hospital, Bryce took Estrella to a tasty local diner. She rested in the car for a bit. Then they headed to the school Ryan had attended for two years, gathering more information. It wasn’t until after nine in the evening that they returned to the hotel at the town center to rest.
Worried that Estrella might feel unwell again, Bryce insisted on staying in the same room. Estrella, with no other choice, agreed to let him sleep on the rickety sofa.
In the middle of the night, Estrella woke up a couple of times. Seeing Bryce curled up on the sofa, she couldn’t help but smile warmly. Her good friends were few, but having Bryce and Jesse was enough for a lifetime.
The next two days were similar: Bryce made sure Estrella got her IVin the morning, and they spent the afternoons together, chasing leads. With Bryce by her side, Estrella felt more at ease, not having to worry about catching buses or food.
11:32
By Friday, once Estrella wrapped up her work trip, Bryce drove her back to Ravenwood. The journey was long. Estrella suggested they take turns driving so he could rest, but Bryce was reluctant, pointing out that she was still sick.
So, for the five-hour drive, he was behind the wheel while Estrella snacked and napped in the passenger seat.
When Estrella woke up around nine in the evening, they had arrived in Ravenwood and were on their way to Sandalwood Oasis. She yawned and said, “Don’t go to Sandalwood Oasis. Let’s go to Waterfall Acres.”
During these days, she hadn’t mentioned her fight with Jason to Bryce, but that didn’t mean it hadn’t happened. Often, the things Estrella didn’t talk about were the ones she was most disappointed by.
What was more, she hadn’t been in top form during their argument when she wasn't feeling well, feeling like she hadn't won the fight.
Hearing Estrella’s request, Bryce didn’t ask why, simply replying, “Sure thing, Ella.”
Twenty minutes later, when they arrived at the expansive Waterfall Acres apartment, Jesse had already come over. She prepared a soup for Estrella, and ordered an array of fruits and takeout.
“Jesse, it smells amazing! | could just kiss you” Bryce exclaimed as he stepped in and was greeted by the aroma of Jesse’s cooking, opening his arms for a hug.
Jesse, dressed in a sleek black outfit with a stylish design, saw Bryce lunging towards her and kicked out. “Back off. Don’t get cozy with me.”
Jesse’s rejection left Bryce with a hurt look. He turned to Estrella to plead his case, “Estrella, see how heartless she is? I’ve been running around for days, drove for hours to get back, but she won’t give me any comfort.”
Estrella, hearing Bryce’s complaint, slowly took off her jacket, rolled up her sleeves, and cracked her knuckles. “How about | comfort you instead?”
Bryce went pale. “No, that’s okay.”
After chatting with Jesse and Bryce for a bit, Estrella went to freshen up. When she returned, Bryce had already showered and was lounging in his pajamas on the couch. while Jesse massaged his shoulders.
The three of them were just the same as when they were at school.
Later, at the dinner table, after Bryce told Jesse about Jason’s midnight return to Ravenwood, Jesse’s stylishly short hair seemed to bristle with anger. She said, “Estrella, Jason is really out of line. | don’t think you should keep putting up with him.”
Bryce chimed in, egging her on, “Exactly, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Why do your have to stick with him? He doesn’t see your worth; he doesn’t deserve you.”
2/4
11-22
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
Jason, with his hands in his pockets, watched Vincent return to the room and inexplicably sneezed.
Serene turned to Jason with a soft voice, “Jason, you’ve been such a big help these past. days, and I’ve taken up so much of your time. | really don’t know what | would’ve done without you and Drew.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. She was overwhelmed by the relentless troubles of the past years. With Jason’s support, she felt she could keep going, despite. the weight of it all.
Jason casually tossed the tissue paper into the trash and said indifferently, “Vincent is young, he'll recover quickly. With proper nutrition, there won't be any impact on his growth.”
“Absolutely!” Serene nodded vigorously, turning her gaze back to Vincent on the hospital bed. “Vincent, you better thank Jason for all he’s done.”
“Jason, thank you.” Vincent, following Serene’s instruction, added obediently, “I’ll listen to my sister and take good care of my leg. | won't cause her any trouble.”
“And don’t fall behind on your studies, okay? Drew’s arranging a tutor to come over
tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Jason. And thanks, Drew.”
Vincent had sustained his injury during a school activity when the principal’s car accidentally hit him. It fractured both the tibia and fibula in his left leg. After several days in traction, he had just come out of surgery that afternoon.
After
r expressing the gratitude, Serene turned to Jason and said, “Jason, it’s getting late. You should head back and get some rest.” She added with concern, “The weather’s turned a bit chilly. | noticed you sneezing earlier. Make sure you bundle up.”
Jason acknowledged with a nonchalant “Mhm” bid Vincent farewell, and then made his way home.
Serene walked him to his car, watching until it disappeared from view before reluctantly heading back upstairs to stay with Vincent.
Oh, how wonderful it would be if she could actually be with Jason. But then again, Jason had always been so good to her, and he was always there to lend a hand whenever her family needed it.
With this thought, Serene gently touched her face with her left hand, smiling with contentment. Maybe there was still hope for her and Jason after all!
Half an hour later, Jason arrived back at Sandalwood Oasis to find the house eerily quiet, as if it was missing its usual vibrancy. He turned to Marie and asked, “Estrella isn’t back
3/4