Chapter 1024:
Elyse frowned, ready to refuse, but Edward, as if reading her mind, gently pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. Caught off guard, Elyse found herself staring at him, wondering what he would do next. In a soft, almost tender voice, Edward whispered, “My dear, once was enough for the hurtful words. There’s no need to repeat them.”
Elyse brushed his hand away, sighing. “Then go on, be a good boy, and enjoy the evening with your friends. I just want a moment to myself.”
Edward shrugged. “Alright, but you have to promise that when you meet your friend, you’ll take me along.”
“Fine, I promise,” Elyse replied, waving him off wearily.
Pleased with her agreement, Edward sauntered off to join the others. With him gone, Elyse breathed a sigh of relief. She knocked back her drink, then poured another.
“Jayden, why haven’t you come to see me yet? Do you know how well the performance went today?” Her gaze drifted before she pulled up Jayden’s chat. The conversation was one-sided, filled with her messages.
Thumb-scrolling upwards, she muttered, “Are you ignoring me on purpose? Trying to make me worry—it’s childish. If this is your way, at least tell me you’re safe. I’m genuinely concerned about you.” The pressure of the tour had forced Elyse to bottle up her feelings. But now, with the first performance over and some liquid courage in her system, those buried emotions were bubbling to the surface. She couldn’t keep a lid on them any longer.
An hour passed, and the banquet was winding down. The conductor announced, “Great work, everyone! Tomorrow’s a rest day. We’ll meet again at the hall the day after to prepare for the next performance.” Cheers erupted, and people began to leave.
Edward spotted Elyse standing by the exit. He bounded over excitedly, asking, “Did you wait long? I was stuck in line for the restroom. It took forever.”
Elyse shook her head. “No, I wasn’t waiting for you. I’m waiting for Theo’s car.”
Edward’s face fell. “Theo? What’s your ex doing here? Is he tagging along to meet your friend too? Can’t you stop being so indecisive? Isn’t having me enough?”
Elyse rolled her eyes.
A few minutes later, Theo’s car arrived. He saw Edward, and surprise flickered across his face, but unlike Edward, he remained composed. “I’m here to pick you up,” Theo said evenly. “Is he coming along too? Let’s all go together.”