30 Days till I Divorce My Husband (Estrella and Jason)

Staring at Holly, Serene was too shocked to speak. How could this be possible? How could the truth be such?

Yet, Holly’s analysis seemed to make some sense. Otherwise, why would Jason allow someone to target his life and do nothing about it?

Noticing Serene’s incredulous and reddened eyes, Holly said, “I’m just a casualty of their emotional warfare, Serene. What do you think you are to him? So what if you saved Jason’s life? So what if you got hurt? So what if you can’t have kids anymore? Do you really think Jason cares about any of that? He only cares about Estrella. My death is inconsequential, and your injuries even less so. We’re just collateral damage in their constant battles.”

Serene still shook her head, “Impossible, it just can’t be.”

Holly let out a snort of laughter, “You doubt my evidence? Serene, if you don’t believe it, you can check its authenticity yourself. And remember, Jason has a copy of all of this evidence, and his set is probably even more comprehensive than mine.”

With that, Holly straightened up, her eyes locked on Serene, “If you have the guts, take this evidence to Jason and ask him if I’ve wronged Estrella.”

Such unwavering certainty from Holly made Serene believe that the evidence was real, and the fire was indeed related to Estrella. However, Serene still remembered Estrella’s reaction when they discussed the collaboration – it didn’t seem like she knew the truth, and it didn’t seem like Estrella was the one who had set the fire.

Serene remained silent, motionless, so Holly added, “Serene, you want the truth, and now it’s right in front of you. Whatever you decide to do next is up to you.”

After Holly finishing her point, Serene furrowed her brows and said, “Holly, you’ve had this evidence for a while now, haven’t you? Why tell me only now? Why didn’t you confront Jason yourself?”

Holly rose calmly, “Who says I haven’t approached Jason?” She continued, “I told you the truth because I heard you made a deal with Estrella to investigate this matter. I thought you were being a fool.”

After a pause, Holly looked down and said softly, “We were both victims in that fire, so I don’t want to see you being played for a fool. And Serene, you should be grateful, too. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be living as well as you are today.”

Listening to Holly’s words, Serene remained silent.

Holly rested a hand on Serene’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze, “Compared to me, you’ve suffered the most. After all, I can recover, but you’ll never be able to. Don’t even think

about being with Jason, or any man for that matter. It won’t be easy.”

00.10

Holly’s last sentence struck Serene’s vulnerability with precision. Indeed, her stomach scar, coupled with her inability to have children, would be hard to accept, not just for an affluent man like Jason, but even for your everyday, average man. After all, she had lost the most basic function of womanhood.

Having said her piece, Holly paid for their coffees and left, leaving Serene in a long, pensive silence at the café.

Was it because she was poor? Because she had no connections or background, did she deserve to be trampled on?

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Serene felt even more sorrowful realizing that Jason’s years of care weren’t because she had saved him, but to help Estrella cover up her crime. In this game of the wealthy, Serene was always just a pawn.

Thinking of her contributions and sincere feelings rendered worthless, Serene wiped away her tears with a swift motion. In this world, having money and connections sure seemed to make life easier. Her efforts and affections seemed nothing but a cruel joke. She felt like a joke herself.

Later, with the evidence Holly had provided, Serene left in her modest car. She didn’t go to Jason or to the police but instead headed to Justice Guardians LLP.

In the meeting room, as Estrella brought in two cups of coffee, Serene didn’t beat around the bush. She slammed the evidence on the table in front of Estrella, “These are the proofs Holly gave me. She said that the fire all those years ago was your doing.”

Estrella paused mid-motion, not reaching for the photos and documents that spilled out of the envelope. She just stared at the evidence in silence.

Serene’s anger flared, and she confronted Estrella directly, “Estrella, just because I was born ordinary, my family has no background, and my dad passed away, does that give you the right to bully me, to treat me like I’m less than you?” This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Is your love with Jason so grand that nobody else matters?

“Estrella, by what right do you treat me this way? Why do you torment me? Do you have any idea how hard these years have been for me?”

Thinking of her hardships and Jason’s indifference, Serene’s heart ached even more. Why was it that no matter where she went or how hard she tried, she always seemed invisible? Why did her kindness never seem to be acknowledged?

Estrella swallowed hard and slowly stood up straight.

As Estrella faced her squarely, Serene grew even more agitated, leaping up from the sofa, “Speak up! Why are you silent now? You’re always so articulate. So tell me, why are you making my life miserable? Is it because I’m poor? Because I don’t have powerful friends? What gives you the right?”

Serene’s outburst was met with Estrella’s furrowed brows, “Serene, calm down. Even if I did set that fire on purpose, it wasn’t meant to target you.”

Estrella’s scolding was sharp and unyielding, cutting through the air like a cold front. Serene found herself frozen in place, her eyes locked on Estrella for what felt like an eternity. Then, with the clatter of defeat, Serene slumped onto the couch, the fight draining from her posture. “Yeah, so what if you were the one who started that fire? It wasn’t meant for me. It was Holly’s room that was burning, with her and Jason inside. That whole mess should’ve had nothing to do with me. It was my own fool self, bloated with idle hope, who barged in there, thinking just maybe, if I played the hero and saved Jason, he might see me, and choose me.”

Serene had come armed with a barrage of words, ready to launch them at Estrella. Noticing the clarity returning to Serene’s eyes, Estrella simply slammed her coffee cup down on the table with a thud. “I’ve never been involved in or interfered with your affairs with Jason, so there’s no need for you to play the victim card with me or bring up family backgrounds.”

Whether it was Serene and Jason, or Holly and Jason, Estrella had kept her distance. She knew better than anyone that all the choices lay in Jason’s hands, not in the hands of

others.