Chapter 107:

That evening, Theo sprawled on his living room sofa, a tableau of more than ten wine bottles arrayed before him. A glass offered momentary clarity, but his thoughts remained obsessively fixed on Elyse's cold demeanor earlier that day. It was a stark contrast to the passionate love she'd once shown him. Their breakup was still raw. Had she moved on so quickly? Did she still hold any affection for him? Was their entire three-year relationship a lie, or had she never truly loved him?

These questions tormented him, like a fiery ball of frustration wreaking havoc within, leaving turmoil in its wake. Unable to contain this internal chaos, his irritability spiked, accompanied by a growing, inexplicable anger.

He picked up his phone and keyed in Elyse's number from memory, hesitating at the last moment. Just then, his phone rang. It was Kaelyn.

His annoyance intensified. He answered sharply, "Why are you calling?"

Kaelyn felt a pang of worry. Theo hadn't been himself all day. She spoke cautiously, "I'm invited to the Celestial Sounds Symphony's rehearsal tomorrow afternoon. Want to come?"

Didn't Elyse work with the Celestial Sounds Symphony? Theo's expression darkened. "Why are you asking me to go?"

Kaelyn anticipated this. "You haven't spoken to Elyse since the breakup, right? I know she's avoiding you, but this might be a good opportunity. Why not try?"

Theo scoffed. Who did she think he was? He was Theo Ward, the proud scion of the Ward family. Humbling himself to see Elyse wasn't his style. "No, I won't go."

Kaelyn wasn't convinced. If he truly didn't want to go, he would have ended the call. "I'll be at their studio at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon," she persisted. "I'll wait for you."

She hung up. Theo stared at his phone, where he'd keyed in Elyse's number. He looked at it repeatedly, deleted it, then re-entered it several times before tossing it aside in frustration.

"Maybe I should go see her tomorrow. I have questions that need answers."

When Elyse woke that morning, she sat up, supporting herself with her hands, and experienced a sharp pain in her lower body. Noticing the marks on her skin, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Memories of the previous night with Jayden—who had been persistent and forceful—flooded back, prompting her to cover her face. Jayden, wheeling himself closer in his wheelchair, appeared calm and relaxed, like a well-fed lion basking in the sun. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing," Elyse replied, shaking her head. Seeing the marks, Jayden felt an inexplicable surge of joy and satisfaction. "Get up and have breakfast. I need to go to Peyton's place later. You should stay here."

While Elyse was getting dressed, she learned of Jayden's afternoon plans. Concerned, she asked, "Aren't you feeling well?"

"I'm fine. I'm just meeting him," Jayden replied, pausing. He added, "If I finish early, I'll come see you this afternoon."

Surprised, Elyse's heart lifted. "Really?" she asked uncertainly.

"Of course. I've never lied to you," Jayden affirmed, glancing at his watch. "Go downstairs for breakfast. You'll be late if you don't hurry."

After freshening up, Elyse descended the stairs meekly. "Good morning," Driscoll greeted them with a warm smile. He'd arranged their seats close together that morning. Seeing them side by side, he felt a surge of excitement, hopeful for a future grandchild.

Elyse quickly finished breakfast and left. Jayden, however, was in no rush. It was almost nine o'clock when he finally finished his meal. "Get the car ready. I'm going to see Peyton," he instructed as he rose from his wheelchair.

Observing Jayden's determined expression, Driscoll ventured a guess, "Are you planning something for your grandfather?"

"Do I look like someone who gets bullied without fighting back?" Jayden responded sharply.

The extraneous text ("gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s﹒𝓬𝗈𝗆, the heart of fiction" and "noveldrama") has been removed. The punctuation and grammar have been corrected throughout for improved clarity and flow.