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Chapter 1
“Estrella, your hubby’s cozying up in someone else’s bed, and you’re still snoozing? Aren’t you scared that someone might take your place one day?”
Kristin’s frustration was palpable as Estrella, bleary-eyed, asked, “Which girl is it tonight?”
Two years into marriage, and there was a queue of women ready to take Estrella’s place. Her mother- in-law urged her to catch her husband in the act every now and then, and Estrella was used to it by now.
Yet every attempt had been in vain, with no solid proof of Jason’s infidelity.
“I’ll send the hotel room number to your Messenger. Go and drag him back, Kristin paused before adding, “You know, if you keep ignoring Jason like this, I can’t help you anymore.”
Ignoring him? If only Jason gave her a chance to take care of him.
In two years, his visits home were countable on one hand, and every encounter ended in a row. He avoided her like the plague. There was nothing she could do to change that.
But things hadn’t always been this way between her and Jason. He used to be good to her, and indulgent-until that one incident changed everything.
Estrella lay silent for a moment, her eyes closed. Then, propping herself up, she lazily said, “Alright, send me the address.”
Half an hour later, Estrella, having obtained the keycard from the hotel manager, was joined by Jesse. They reached the suite door together.
As Estrella was about to swipe the card, her heart, which had been calm until now, began. to pound with unease. Though she was accustomed to betrayal, the thought of her husband being taken by another still unsettled her.
The door swung open, and a voice from inside called, “Four of a kind.”
Both Estrella and Jesse were taken aback. Wasn’t this supposed to be a catch-in-the-act moment? Why were they playing poker?
The girls sitting beside the men were still a sore sight. Jason had a cigarette dangling from his lips and his hand on the cards, while Serene clung to his arm, sitting beside him.
The men at the table were Ravenwood’s finest, the crème de la crème. Jason, as always, was the center of attention-handsome features, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and a carelessly slicked-back hairstyle.
He was the epitome of dapper with a touch of rogue, breathtaking no matter how often one saw him. Women would bankrupt themselves for a man like him.
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Nelson International had soared under his leadership in the last two years, making him the big cheese of Ravenwood. If only he were still the same… If not for that one time, Jason would be the perfect husband.
Jason had many virtues, but kindness towards her was no longer one of them.
Seated facing the door, Thomas, upon seeing Estrella, was first surprised, but then prompted tp greet her with a smile. He caught Jason’s cold glance and quickly corrected himself, “Ella, what brings you here?”
With an air of nonchalance, Estrella sauntered in, “Just missed you guys. Thought I’d drop by.”
“Come on…” Glancing covertly at Jason, Thomas said, “Ella, I dare not jest with you.”
No need for words-they all knew she was here for Jason.
Leaving such a gorgeous woman at home, ignored-what was Jason thinking?
Estrella was dressed to kill in a knee-length V-neck little black dress, her long black curls. cascading effortlessly, each strand exuding undeniable allure.
As she approached the table, the girls in the room were left agape in awe.
Unfazed by Serene’s presence, Estrella ignored her and glanced at Jason’s arm, prompting Serene to hastily explain, “Jason just won big. I was just, you know, celebrating with him.” Before Serene could finish, Estrella’s hand clamped down on her wrist, “Serene, touch him again, and I’ll chop off your hand.”
“Estrella, listen to me,” Serene pleaded, pain etched on her face, “You’re hurting me.”
At Serene’s cry, Jason’s frosty gaze turned to Estrella, “If you don’t let her go, I’ll deal with your hand first.”
Taking advantage of the moment, Serene wriggled free and stepped back. She rubbed her wrist, eyes welling with tears, “Jason.”
Jason glanced at her impassively, “Why are you so scared of her? Sit down.”
As the tension mounted, a girl next to Thomas curiously asked Jason, “Who’s that, Mr. Jason?”
Smoke curled around his gold-framed glasses as Jason tapped the ash, “Don’t know her.”
The room fell silent at his words.
Don’t know her? They’d known each other for 23 years.
Estrella was 23 years old this year.
Standing by the poker table, Estrella was both amused and annoyed. Despite it all, she
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leaned in and whispered to Jason, “It’s half past two. Time to call it a night.”
With a cigarette between his fingers, Jason kept his cool demeanor. It was as if Estrella was invisible.
Serene, trying to defuse the awkwardness, intervened, “Estrella, men will be men, with their games. Thomas and the others are here too, so you shouldn’t worry too much.”
Estrella couldn’t help but laugh, “Why don’t you tie the knot first, then lend me your hubby for a spin?”
Serene was left speechless by the retort.
After her comment, Estrella turned to Thomas and tapped the poker table, “Thomas, get
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Thomas looked up, “Ella, you want in?”
Jesse, who had accompanied Estrella on this infidelity hunt, chuckled, “What, men can play and women can’t?”
With stylish short hair and a flashy floral shirt, Jesse could easily be mistaken for a
and Estrella’s secret lover.
man
With a knowing look, Jesse turned towards Estrella. “Hey Estrella, I hear the lads working at the hotel’s club are quite the catch. I’ll holler for a couple to come up,” she said with a
mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Estrella slid into the chair Thomas had pulled out for her, and sat down with an air of
nonchalance. “Sounds great.”
As Estrella gave her approval, Jason’s gaze finally landed on her face.
Estrella, paying him no mind, continued the game they were playing. “Jack of diamonds,” she called out nonchalantly.
Before long, a few dashing young men stood in the suite’s living room. Jesse directed the tallest and most handsome one to go keep Estrella company.
The boy, with a mission in mind, sat down next to Estrella with a grin. “Lady luck’s smiling on me. With me by your side, you’re sure to rake in the dough.”
Estrella chuckled, “If I win big, I’ll slip you a fat tip.”
It was true that the rounds kept going in Estrella’s favor. She seemed to have a knack for
nly winning when Jason played his hand, much to his chagrin.
At this moment, with another successful round under her belt, Jason slammed his cards down in frustration. His face was a picture of cold fury, almost chilling the air around him.
Unperturbed, Estrella pushed her cards back into the shuffler, ribbing him, “Mr. Jason can’t
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take a loss? If you can’t stand the heat, go home and hit the hay.”
Her taunt only drew a ‘dry laugh from Jason. “You wanna sleep with me? Don’t even think. about it, Estrella.”
After his snide remark, Serene cast a wary glance at Estrella, wondering if a divorce was on the horizon for these two.
Ignoring his barb, Estrella handed over her winnings to the young man beside her. “Here’s your tip, kid.”
The boy’s face lit up as he accepted the cash, “Thanks a ton!”
The other girls in the room instantly perked up, green with envy.
Flush with the cash from Estrella, the boy suddenly blushed and said, “I can make your night even better. How about I stick around with you tonight?”
After the boy said this, the cigarette in Thomas mouth dropped to the ground with a snap, and the others looked up.
In that moment, the room fell into a profound silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
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