Chapter 4:

As Elyse descended the stairs to the villa's entrance, Driscoll approached her with concern. "It's quite late. Where are you going? Shall I arrange a car for you?"

"No, thanks. I'll be back soon."

Driscoll watched her depart before heading to the study. Elyse, having agreed to meet Theo, called a taxi and was soon en route. Fifteen minutes later, she entered a coffee shop and instantly spotted Theo, who was in high spirits, busy texting on his phone. A flicker of sarcasm crossed her eyes as she approached and sat across from him.

Theo looked up, his expression souring. "Why are you so late? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?"

Staring back at him, Elyse felt a chill. They had been together for a long time, yet he was always domineering toward her—a stark contrast to his demeanor with Kaelyn. She had once loved him, believing she could endure anything. Only today had she realized how foolish that was. If she didn't love herself, how could she expect anyone else to love her?

"If you don't want to wait, you can leave," Elyse retorted icily.

Theo, taken aback by her response, grew visibly more upset. "You're holding a grudge about what happened at the wedding, aren't you? I understand why you're upset, but can't you be more understanding and reasonable? I left because Kaelyn was in dire straits—she was depressed and contemplating suicide."

"You can go to anyone you want. You don't need to explain anything to me. I don't care anymore," Elyse said, a hint of humor in her tone.

Theo couldn't believe her indifference. They had been together for three years, and everyone knew how deeply she loved him. He thought her claim of indifference was merely a result of anger, but he was confident he could easily resolve this. Just a few sweet words, and she'd come back to him.

"It's not a big deal. I came back to you after handling everything, didn't I? I'll visit your parents soon, and we can start planning the wedding again," Theo said.

"No need for that."

"What?"

"There won't be a wedding," Elyse said, her face devoid of emotion. "We're done."

"Why are you still upset? I left at the wedding, but I came back for you. Can't you forgive me?" Theo frowned.

"Forgive you? Forgive you for abandoning me for another woman?" Elyse slammed her hand on the table. "Do you have any idea what I've been through since you left? Your family has been calling me names, even though you were the one who left me at the altar for another woman!"

"Elyse Lloyd!" Theo shouted furiously. "What others say is their problem. Isn't our three-year relationship strong enough for you to trust me?"

"Three years, and yet you never forgot your ex," Elyse countered, her face marked by disappointment. "I believed we'd be together forever, but it seems three years was our limit. We're done, Theo. It's clear we're not suited for each other."

As she spoke, she retrieved a ring from her bag and placed it on the table—the same ring he had used to propose. She recalled the joy she felt that day, now overshadowed by her current despair. Elyse gave Theo one last look, mentally closing the chapter on their three years together. She grabbed her bag and departed without a backward glance.

Theo was stunned. Was Elyse dumping him? He always saw her as dependent, her family reliant on him. How could she just walk away? Humiliated, he chased after her, grabbed her shoulder, and said forcefully, "You have no right to break things off. Remember, your father's business relies on me. Without me, your family has nothing. Come back, and we'll marry in a few days to make up for today."

"Let me go," Elyse fought back fiercely, yelling with defiance and frustration. "I'm married. Stop bothering me."

"So what if you are married? You will always belong to me!"

After blurting that out, he froze and asked incredulously, "What did you say? You're married? Who to?"

While he was momentarily dazed, Elyse wriggled free from his grip. She hadn't anticipated turning around to find Jayden sitting in a wheelchair a few meters behind her.

"Jayden," she exclaimed. ...

The revised passage improves clarity, flow, and word choice while maintaining the original's dramatic tension. The dialogue is made more natural, and some awkward phrasing is smoothed out.