Chapter 363:

Elyse gently traced her fingers over the urns, slowly and deliberately, as if trying to connect with her parents' presence. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her face. Driscoll's heart ached, and his eyes reddened.

After a long moment, Elyse managed a smile and said to Jayden, "They didn't even put names on these. I can't tell which is my mom's and which is my dad's." Seeing her strained smile, Jayden softly advised, "Don't force yourself to smile if you don't feel like it."

Her smile stiffened, then faded, replaced by visible pain and sadness. She wrapped her arms around herself and crouched, her mouth open as if crying out silently. Only her tears spoke of her despair. Unable to bear her silent agony, Jayden instinctively stood, then quickly sat back down, guilt-stricken and relieved she hadn't noticed his movement.

Oblivious, Elyse held the urns tightly and squatted, her tears falling onto them. Jayden maneuvered his wheelchair beside her, reaching out a hand, then hesitating. He felt inadequate to comfort her, silently withdrew his hand, and simply remained beside her, offering his presence. Even the household staff watched from a corner, concerned.

After a long while, Elyse fainted, still gripping the urns. Expecting to hit the floor, she instead landed on something soft—Jayden, who looked at her with concern. She tried to speak, but initially, no sound came out. Finally, in a raspy voice, she said, "I just remembered something. Lanny never gave me any photos of my mother."

Jayden gently squeezed her shoulder. "I will get them for you," he assured her. Elyse nodded, looking into his eyes for a long moment. Then, softly, she whispered, "I'm so happy to be your wife."

She closed her eyes and fell asleep, the urns in her arms. Driscoll carefully removed them and asked, concerned, "Sir, should I carry her upstairs?" Receiving no reply, he asked again, "Sir?"

Jayden snapped out of his thoughts. "Yes," he replied. Driscoll looked puzzled. "Should I take her upstairs to rest?" "No, I'll do it," Jayden said. He effortlessly lifted Elyse and ascended the stairs. A few steps later, he remembered something and instructed Driscoll, "Please prepare a guest room and place the urns there." Driscoll nodded and directed the servants accordingly.

Back in the bedroom, Jayden gently placed Elyse on the bed and tucked her in. He lingered, watching her sleep. After a while, he went to the ground floor study.

He settled into his chair and called Peyton. Peyton, still sleepy from a night shift, answered irritably, "Why did you call me?" Jayden paused. "Just now, Elyse mentioned... she's happy to be my wife." After a three-second silence, Peyton asked, "And? What else?"

Jayden repeated, "She said she's happy." Peyton realized Jayden was showing off their affection. "You don't need to call me just to tell me that. I'm not interested," he retorted. Jayden responded, "But she said she's happy." Peyton sarcastically snapped back, "Then why don't you divorce her and marry me? I'd love to share that happiness." Jayden ended the call. Peyton rolled his eyes and chuckled.

. . .noveldrama