Chapter 323

Elyse opened her eyes to Jayden's anxious face. Surprise flickered across her features, quickly replaced by a brightening smile. "Jayden," she whispered. She bit her lip, tears welling despite her attempt at a smile. He'd kept secrets, yet she felt an unshakeable faith in his ability to handle this. If she could just stay strong, she told herself, she'd be alright. Perhaps her prolonged fear of the kidnappers' torture had finally overwhelmed her. Negative emotions flooded her heart.

"You're finally here," she sobbed uncontrollably. "Do you know..."

Jayden's throat was dry. Battling his own emotions, he managed a quiet, "Sorry I'm late."

Elyse oscillated between tears and laughter. "It's so touching," Baxter interjected, stepping back while still holding Elyse hostage. "I can hardly bear to tear you two apart." He hadn't seen Jayden's arrival and wondered if his men on the cruise ship were now compromised. If he were alone, he wouldn't release Elyse; even in death, they'd be together.

Elyse, eyes fixed on Jayden, couldn't look away. She cherished him, longed to be at his side. She regretted their last encounters, her anger and lack of quality time together. She wished she'd been more honest, spoken to him sooner. He'd called her spoiled and defiant, and now she knew he'd been right. Jayden was the best thing in her life; he'd given her a home. Now, she was trapped, unable to return.

She sensed Baxter's desperation, his grip on her as if clinging to a lifeline. Who would willingly relinquish their last hope?

Baxter retreated down the corridor, opened a door, and ushered Elyse into an elevator. He intended to rally his men, but found the ship eerily deserted. An hour earlier, at the cruise's start, it had been bustling; now, a heavy silence reigned. He took another elevator to the bottom of the ship.

Weak and starved, Elyse's strength was critically low. Exiting the elevator, she collapsed.

"Useless woman!" Baxter snarled.

Alone and desperate, Baxter couldn't abandon her. He dragged her along, aiming to unlock the gate below. Even if his mission failed, he wouldn't let them escape unscathed. He'd gladly perish with them.

Suddenly, a man approached, reaching for the unconscious Elyse. Baxter whirled around, shocked.

"Jayden? You're not disabled," he exclaimed.

Jayden shrugged off his coat, revealing a white shirt straining over muscular definition. He flexed his wrists, a menacing smile playing on his lips. "What? Can't I use stealth and disguise?"

Baxter's surprise gave Jayden the opening he needed. He scooped up Elyse and made his escape.

Quickly checking Elyse's breath, relieved to find her alive, he addressed Baxter. "Do you really think you can escape?"

Baxter smirked. "I won't know unless I try."

They lunged at each other in a simultaneous attack.

Elyse's eyebrows twitched at the sound of Jayden's voice. She struggled to open her eyes, catching a glimpse of a man resembling him fighting. She strained to see clearly, hoping for confirmation, before exhaustion claimed her again. If it's Jayden, she thought before fainting, that would be fantastic.