Chapter 1338:
The absurdity of Shaun even attempting to measure up to Jayden was laughable. Jayden had never put her in harm’s way. On the other hand, Tracy had been teetering on the edge since she got tangled up with Shaun.
“If Tracy’s still alive,” Shaun began, his voice tinged with desperation, “talk to her for me. Convince her to come back. She can live a happy life with me. Don’t let her do something reckless.”
Elyse crossed her arms, shaking her head in disdain. “Not a chance. I won’t help you.”
Shaun’s jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. “Why are you so against helping me? Are you that determined to keep Tracy and me apart?”
“Why are you taking your anger out on my wife? You’re the one who messed things up with your girl.” Jayden strolled into the room confidently, one hand buried in his pocket.
His eyes swept over Shaun’s disheveled appearance. “It’s been a while. I must say, you’ve changed a lot.”
Shaun ignored the jab and said, “Tracy’s alive. I need your help to find her.”
Jayden’s brow lifted in surprise. He had thought Tracy was long gone.
Elyse quickly caught him up on the situation. As the pieces clicked into place, Jayden nodded slowly, his expression shifting to one of realization. No wonder Shaun had stormed in like a man possessed.
“I hate to burst your bubble,” Jayden said evenly, his voice as calm as still waters, “but I looked into Tracy’s case a while back and confirmed her death. In fact, I uncovered evidence that ties the Ruiz family to it.”
“No way! I didn’t find anything like that!” Shaun shot back, his voice tinged with disbelief, still struggling to wrap his head around it.
“Three days after you dropped your investigation, Dolores and Lowell were spotted at the cliff where Tracy went missing,” Jayden explained.
“Maybe they were there to pay their respects!” Shaun fired back.
Jayden’s expression darkened as he shook his head. “I highly doubt that. According to my sources, Dolores was laughing triumphantly. The wind was so fierce that no one could make out their words, but who else returns to the scene of the crime, gloating like that, except the one responsible?”
Shaun gritted his teeth. “Are you certain about this? Laughing doesn’t automatically make Dolores the murderer.”
Elyse had heard enough. She stepped forward and shoved Shaun with both hands, her frustration spilling over. “You are so blind when it comes to Lowell and Dolores! What’s the point of even looking for Tracy? If we do find her, they will try to kill her again!”
Shaun felt the sting as though a hand had struck him hard across the face. A wave of heat surged through his body; his lips clamped shut, his complexion turning ashen. “That’s not what I meant. It’s hard to believe Lowell and Dolores would ever go after Tracy.”
Elyse’s reply was razor-sharp, tinged with incredulity. “And why not? Dolores is utterly smitten with you. Can you truly imagine her watching Tracy steal you away without a fight? And Lowell, that schemer? He was plotting to edge Tracy out long before your wedding, all to safeguard his beloved sister! Don’t play dumb with me. You’re fully aware, yet you stubbornly refuse to accept they might have had a hand in Tracy’s demise!”
Elyse caught her breath, her chest rising and falling dramatically. After regaining her composure, she continued, her voice heavy with scorn. “If you’re going to stubbornly wear blinders, then perhaps Tracy never meant that much to you. You’re merely indulging in a pitiful charade. Stop masquerading as the heartbroken lover. At this point, you’re only deceiving yourself. It’s utterly nauseating.”