Chapter 209:

Elyse's mind went blank, leaving her speechless. Jayden released her instantly. Stunned, she felt the weight lift, replaced by a strange emptiness, a void where warmth had been. She felt hollow.

"Send me the location, and I'll swing by to get you," Jayden said, ending the call. Turning back to Elyse, he found her turned away, her back to him—a silent expression of anger.

He felt a pang of guilt. Before leaving, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. I'll make it up to you when I get back." He changed clothes, returned to his wheelchair, and wheeled out of the room, ignoring her.

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The door clicked shut, and a stifling sensation welled up in Elyse, a lump forming in her throat. After lying in bed for a while, she sat up, using her hands for support, and put on the pajamas Jayden had removed. She noticed a damp spot on the bed, a reminder of their intimacy. Biting her lip, she felt a mixture of shame and anger.

"Jayden, you're such a jerk," she muttered bitterly, pulling the covers over herself. She didn't care where he went.

Jayden, flanked by bodyguards, arrived at the bar. He saw a woman surrounded by men trying to pull her away. He gave the bodyguards a look, and they immediately intervened, escorting the men away.

Approaching, Jayden looked down at the drowsy Corrie Bates, leaning against a chair. He paused before asking, "Are you asleep?"

She remained motionless. Seeing the empty beer bottles on the table, he sighed, grabbed the ice bucket, and dumped its contents over her head.

Startled by the cold, Corrie sat up abruptly, her drunkenness fading. Meeting Jayden's impassive gaze, she was stunned. "Did you just pour ice on me?" she asked, pointing at him.

Jayden offered no apology. "Get up. I'll take you home," he said flatly.

Defiantly, Corrie crossed her arms and pouted. "No way. I'm not ready to go. I want another drink." She grabbed a half-empty beer bottle and finished it in one gulp.

Jayden frowned. "It's been a year since we last met, and you're still the same," he said. Corrie's gaze fell on his legs. Sighing, she said, "I didn't expect you to still be in that wheelchair. I miss when you could stand. You were so handsome."

With a belch, she grabbed her phone. "Talking to you makes me not want to go home. I need to get our old friends together for a drink. It's been too long."

Corrie and Jayden had known each other for years, sharing mutual friends like Peyton. On holiday, Peyton initially hesitated when Corrie called, but upon learning Jayden was there, he hurried over.

He found a group of friends he hadn't seen in ages, already gathered with Corrie. Jayden sat alone in his wheelchair, detached from their lively conversation, radiating isolation and loneliness.

Peyton rubbed his chin. "What brings you here? You're not one for bars," he asked.

Since Jayden's marriage, they hadn't frequented bars together, usually gathering at Peyton's basement. Jayden's demeanor was cold.

With a chilly expression, he explained, "She called, said she was too drunk and needed a ride home."

Peyton was surprised. "And you actually came?"

Leaning closer, Peyton whispered, "When you were leaving, did Elyse know you were meeting another woman?"

Jayden replied calmly, "She did."

"Fuck," Peyton said, disappointed. "Buddy, you know you're married, right?"

Jayden looked at him with incredulity and annoyance. "Of course I know. I'm married."

Silence fell between them as Peyton wondered if this was really his friend. (...to be continued...)