Chapter 1337:

Shaun clutched the photo, his finger tenderly tracing the woman's image; his longing was palpable. Elyse watched his sentimental gesture with distaste. Yet, seeing him in such a state piqued her curiosity. “How did you end up looking so destitute? Has the Kennedy fortune finally dried up? Are you on your way to becoming a vagrant?”

Shaun caught the gleam of anticipation in her eyes, which only fueled his irritation. “No, I’ve just hit a string of bad luck.”

Elyse’s eyebrows rose. “What sort of bad luck?”

Shaun’s brow furrowed. “Since my trip to Cedarvale, it’s been one thing after another. I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s always watching me.”

Elyse scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “Who in their right mind would be watching you? Are you losing it?”

Shaun shook his head, his eyes hardening. “No, my gut is never wrong. Moreover, someone has been trying to make things difficult for me. This is my latest theory.”

“What are you getting at?” Elyse asked.

“Someone wants me dead,” Shaun replied, his tone chilling as he tucked the photo away.

Elyse’s breath caught. She took a second look at him, noticing for the first time how he looked like he’d been dragged through a ditch. “Who would want you dead?”

Shaun chuckled dryly. “I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure it out. Actually, I came here to ask about Tracy. I haven’t seen her since that day. It’s like she disappeared.”

Elyse’s expression darkened. “Are you sure it was Tracy?”

Shaun leaned forward, his gaze intense. “I saw her with my own eyes. How could I be mistaken?”

Elyse propped her head on her hand. “Well, if you’re serious, maybe you should talk to Lowell or Dolores. Watch their reaction. That should tell you if it was really her.”

Shaun furrowed his brow. “You really think they are involved? What if you’re wrong?”

Elyse scoffed, the disdain in her voice unmistakable. “And so what if I am? They are hardly saints. Should I go apologize to them?”

Her voice dripped with contempt for Lowell and Dolores. Had Shaun pushed further, he knew she would unleash a tirade he didn’t have the energy to weather.

He tapped his fingers against his knee, deep in thought. Finally, he nodded hesitantly. “Fine. I’ll give it a shot.” He rose.

Elyse followed him to the door. “But what if it wasn’t Tracy? What if you’ve got it all wrong?”

Shaun shook his head firmly, his jaw set. “That’s impossible. It was her. Why else would she be avoiding me? Why else would she refuse to see me?”

Elyse exhaled in exasperation. “Fine, let’s pretend it is Tracy. What’s your plan then?”

Shaun’s gaze flicked to her, his expression distant. “If you and Jayden could work things out, why can’t Tracy and I?”

A derisive laugh escaped Elyse. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you comparing yourself to Jayden?”