Serene announced she got married, and Estrella couldn't help but be a bit taken aback. She remembered a time when Serene had lost all hope, living just for her mom and little brother.
Watching Serene, who now seemed to glow with happiness, Estrella asked, "Drew?"
Serene nodded enthusiastically, "Yep, Drew. You're so sharp, Estrella, you guessed it right away."
She continued, "Two years ago, when Drew quit his job, I felt like my world was falling apart. I wasn't even this scared when Jason left Ravenwood. I guess I've leaned on Drew too much over the years."
"That day, after my mom stormed out and I couldn't find her for most of the night, I finally broke down and called Drew, sobbing and asking him what I should do next."
"Drew hung up without a word. But at 3 in the morning, he showed up, helping me find my mom."
"I completely fell apart in front of Drew that night. I couldn't believe he'd come all that way to help me. And as I cried and cried, I felt even worse, thinking I couldn’t keep bothering him, couldn’t keep seeking him out, couldn’t make him run around for me anymore."
"After all, he didn’t owe me anything!"
As Serene recounted this, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
Then, she slowly told Estrella, "Seeing me in tears, Drew said, 'Come live with me and the BOSS. Bring your mom and brother along; I'll take care of you from now on.'"
"My tears stopped instantly. I looked up at him, confused about what he meant. But he just looked at me and said, 'Let's get married. I'll take care of you, your mom, and your brother.'"
Estrella watched Serene, her eyes red-rimmed but beaming with happiness.
Continuing, Serene reflected, "So, I quit my job too and moved with my mom and Vincent. Leaving Ravenwood, my mom's health significantly improved; she's now able to take care of herself and us."
"Oh, and Drew took me abroad for scar treatment." Serene lifted her shirt to show, "The scars on my stomach have healed so well, they're nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding skin."
"I may not be able to conceive naturally, but we've already cultured our twins abroad. In five months, I'll be a mom."
Saying this, Serene grabbed Estrella's hand, "Estrella, my persistence with Jason led me to Drew. Maybe this was fate's way of compensating for taking my dad so early."
Throughout, Serene never mentioned love or liking, but Estrella could see it - Serene treasured her current life and happiness deeply.
Happy to see her find clarity and happiness, Estrella said, "Finding your happiness is all that matters."
"Yeah! And I hope you find yours too, Estrella." After sharing her story, Serene segued into the main reason for her visit, to update Estrella on Jason's situation and hopefully play matchmaker.
Halting, Estrella gazed into the distance, unable to distinguish the sea from the sky or right from wrong in life.
The sea, tranquil, continued its routine.
After a long look, as Estrella turned to proceed, a voice nearby broke the silence, "Can't sleep either?"
Lifting her gaze, she saw Jason, casually dressed, standing before her.
Estrella sighed deeply, her gaze lingering on the breathtaking seascape illuminated by the moonlight. "It's such a beautiful night by the sea, it'd be a shame to miss out on this," she remarked.
Without waiting for a response, Estrella continued to walk ahead, with Jason seamlessly falling in step beside her.
As they walked side by side, Jason was the first to break the silence. "Drew and Serene got married," he said.
When Jason shared this news with Estrella, it was with a hint of apprehension. He was concerned that Estrella might think he was still holding onto feelings for Serene.
Despite their own relationship not working out, he didn't want there to be any misunderstandings between him and Estrella. He was keen on avoiding anything that she might not appreciate.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: 30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband