Chapter 1178:

Louise, looking weary, slumped beside Elyse on the sofa, sighing, “I don’t want lunch; I want snacks.”

Elyse reassured her, “Garret mentioned a supply truck will arrive later today, and he asked me to take you to pick out some snacks.”

Louise responded with little interest, a glimmer of listlessness remaining as she leaned against the sofa.

With neither speaking, Elyse turned her gaze to the window, staring into the forest, her eyes filled with a distant longing.

“Are you thinking about Jayden?” Louise’s voice cut through her thoughts.

Elyse’s gaze remained fixed on the trees as she replied, “Sort of. There’s something else weighing on me—a question that’s been on my mind for ages.”

“What question?” Louise asked, sipping from a glass of water.

“Jayden isn’t exactly a man of good character. He lies and keeps secrets. In any real relationship, isn’t trust supposed to be the foundation? But he doesn’t trust anyone. He’s controlling, demanding, and expects nothing but my compliance. Whenever I push back, his temper flares.”

Louise’s expression grew thoughtful. “From what you’re saying, he seems riddled with flaws. Does he have any redeeming qualities?”

“He’s wealthy, clever, and solves problems like it’s second nature, but none of those things really matter to me,” Elyse answered, reflecting.

Louise studied her, then smiled gently. “So, can you live with his faults?”

Elyse looked out the window, lost in her own conflicted thoughts before finally murmuring, “Even though being with him is hard and he’s hurt me, somehow, I believe I can.”

As she spoke, a look of self-loathing crossed her face. “I feel like such a fool. He’s treated me like this, and still, I accept it. There must be something wrong with me. It’s as if I’ve fractured into pieces. I despise who I’ve become.”

Louise placed her glass down, her lips curving into a wry smile. “But you know, love is what stops you from being yourself.”

After Louise finished, she caught sight of the bewildered look on Elyse’s face and, with a playful smile, asked, “Why do you look like that? You do know what love is, right? Didn’t your parents ever explain it to you?”

Elyse shifted uncomfortably and murmured, “My parents… they passed away when I was very young. My uncle and aunt raised me, and they never talked about love.”

Louise gazed at her for a moment, as if putting the puzzle pieces together. “Ah, no wonder you’re a little off. I think I’ve finally found the root of it.”

Feeling the weight of Louise’s eyes on her, Elyse quickly lowered her head, trying to escape that probing stare. Louise softened and gently touched Elyse’s shoulder, her tone turning serious. “Do you love yourself?”

Elyse’s entire body stiffened, a shiver running through her as confusion clouded her features even more.

“Before you can figure out if you love Jayden, you need to understand if you love yourself,” Louise said earnestly. “When you love yourself, you’ll know if you love someone else.”

This notion struck Elyse, leaving her shaken. In all her years, no one had ever told her to love herself. The words hit her as both a revelation and a delayed understanding. It dawned on her: she didn’t love herself.

A heavy silence filled the space between them. Louise didn’t push further, leaving Elyse to her thoughts.

After what seemed like an eternity, Elyse broke the silence, her voice low and reflective. “I didn’t expect you to understand all this so well.”

Louise, feeling a sense of pride, straightened. “Of course! I’m a master of all trades, especially when it comes to love.”

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Elyse’s mouth. “But when you really experience love, all that stuff you know can just disappear. When it’s true love, your mind goes blank, and all you can think about is the person right in front of you.”

Louise nodded knowingly. “You’re right. Love’s a tricky magician—it makes everything else disappear.”