Chapter 5

The bedroom floor was a mess. After taking her allergy medicine, Estella gathered her belongings and moved into the guest room. Passing the shattered glass, she paused, then bent to pick up a photograph. It was the only picture she and Jenson had together—their last. She hadn't decided what to do with it the last time she'd encountered it while packing; Emily, it seemed, had made the decision for her.

Estella’s lips curled into a faint smirk. She tore the picture into pieces and tossed them in the trash. That night, Jenson didn't come home.

The next day, at 5:00 AM, Estella was awakened by noises from the kitchen. Still groggy, she found Jenson cooking. A flicker of guilt crossed his face when he saw her.

“Did I wake you? Emily didn’t eat much last night, so I’m making her some seafood congee. You should have a bowl too.”

Estella stared at the simmering congee. Even after all these years, Jenson still remembered Emily’s preferences down to the smallest detail. She, however, had lived with him for six years and had only yesterday reminded him of her severe seafood allergy, a fact he'd apparently forgotten. In fact, she hadn't even known he could cook until last night. Sometimes, the difference between love and indifference was painfully clear.

“I’m not hungry,” Estella said flatly. “No need to save any for me.”

Turning to leave, she was stopped by Jenson. “Estie, about last night… I panicked when I saw Emily hurt. I said things I didn’t mean. Don’t take it to heart, okay?”

Estella nodded calmly. “I understand. It was an emergency. I don’t blame you.”

Jenson hadn’t expected such easy forgiveness. Watching her lowered gaze, a pang of guilt twisted within him.

“We haven’t gone on a date in a while,” he said. “Once Emily’s situation is settled, let’s go on a trip and have a proper break.”

Estella hummed in agreement. It didn’t matter; she’d be gone in a few days. Her response was inconsequential.

Three days later, after shopping with a friend, Estella returned home to find Jenson and Emily. They were curled up on the couch, looking through an old photo album. Emily’s eyes lit up when she spotted Estella.

“Ms. Hart, you’re back! Jenson and I were just looking at old photos. Our friends used to say we looked alike, like a married couple. I always thought they were joking, but when we took our wedding photos the other day, even the photographer said the same thing! What do you think? Do we really look alike?”

The air froze. Emily’s words were a pointed provocation, but Estella simply nodded, unfazed. “I think they’re right. You two really do—”

Before she could finish, Jenson abruptly interrupted. “We have a class reunion tonight. Come with us, Estie.”

Estella almost laughed. He thought she was upset and this was his attempt at amends?

The car ride was silent, each lost in their own thoughts. At the hotel, Emily stayed close to Jenson, chatting animatedly about their school days, even wrapping her hand around his arm at one point. Estella said nothing, following a few steps behind.

As soon as they entered the private room, classmates crowded around.

“What’s going on here?” someone asked, their eyes darting between Jenson and Emily. “Wow, after all these years, you two still ended up together, huh?”

Emily blushed and smiled shyly, offering no explanation. Then, someone noticed Estella standing at the door. “Who’s that?”