Chapter 1105:

He was obviously playing a joke on her, expecting a reaction. However, Elyse didn’t react as he expected. Instead, she paused, deep in thought, then suddenly bent down, grabbed a clump of grass, and nibbled on it.

Under Jayden’s astonished gaze, she quickly spat out the grass, grimacing. “It’s horrible! Well, there goes my fantasy about the taste of grass.”

After Elyse finished speaking, she caught Jayden staring at her. She took a sip of milk to chase away the lingering bitter taste, then asked, puzzled, “Why are you looking at me?”

Instead of answering directly, Jayden burst into uncontrollable laughter. Elyse was taken aback. It was the first time she had witnessed Jayden laughing so freely and unrestrainedly. In that moment, he almost resembled a normal person.

Suddenly, Elyse recalled that Jayden had never laughed with such abandon in her memories. He had always exuded calmness, appearing indifferent to everything around him, detached from the world and its impacts. Even his smiles were subdued, mere faint curves of his lips, always restrained and distant.

This had led Elyse to believe that Jayden’s happiness was never genuine. He seemed burdened by hidden pain and suffering, his true self suppressed, his identity lost in the shadows.

Elyse watched him silently. What she had always desired was for him to open his heart to her, to share his emotions and his past fully. She was prepared to accept him, regardless of the ugliness, dirt, or shame. Yet, he had never managed to open up completely to her.

When Jayden’s laughter subsided, he reached out and gently brushed some stray grass from Elyse’s mouth. His voice carried a note of helpless affection as he said, “You never fail to surprise me.”

Those words touched Elyse’s heart anew. She believed this unguarded moment revealed the real Jayden.

Taking a tiny sip from her cup, Elyse hummed softly and responded, “Humph, I’m not some joke.”

“But I find you quite amusing,” Jayden teased.

“You find everything hilarious!” Elyse shot back, visibly annoyed.

Jayden raised his hands in a gesture of mock surrender, soothing her. “Okay, okay. Just promise no more grass-eating, alright? I dread the thought of you making me try it.”

“I wouldn’t do that!” Elyse turned away, her gaze averted. Jayden leaned back, relishing the breeze. But before he could settle in, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen—a call from Garret.

Jayden answered, and Garret’s voice filtered through. “I’ve followed through on my promise to Elyse, though there’s been a minor setback.” . . .