Chapter 44:

Theo was in a frenzy at home, startling the servants. His mother, Zandra Ward, emerged from her room to find him smashing a glass. She was astonished; her son usually controlled his emotions, maintaining a calm demeanor even under stress. Sensing something was wrong, she instructed the maid to clean up the glass and then summoned Theo to the study.

“How have I taught you? No matter how angry, you mustn't show it. You're to be the head of our family. Displaying such emotions reveals your weaknesses to your enemies, doesn't it?” she reminded him.

Theo massaged his forehead. “I’m sorry, Mother. I acted impulsively.”

Zandra shook her head, took a sip of water, and pressed, “What’s troubling you?”

Theo remained silent.

Persisting, she asked, “You mentioned a girl getting married. Who? And why does it concern you?”

“Forget it, Mother. It’s my problem,” Theo dismissed.

Zandra frowned, trying to understand his distress. Then a name occurred to her. “Is it Elyse?”

Theo’s irritation flared. “Mother, please stop asking.”

Observing his reluctance, Zandra suspected she was right. She set down her glass with a sigh. “I’ve told you before. She’s not worthy of you, and her family is beneath ours.”

Theo’s anxiety rose. “Mother, I never said I still have feelings for her. Please don't misinterpret this.”

“Then what do you plan to do? Forget about her now that she’s married?” Zandra insisted sternly.

With a grim expression, Theo confessed, “Elyse married Jayden Owen. Yes, of the Owen family.”

“Jayden Owen,” Zandra, a shrewd businesswoman, recognized the name. However, she knew that since Jayden’s disability, the Owen family had stripped him of his authority. He held no real power; he was practically worthless.

“She’s beneath him. But don’t worry, Jayden’s a disabled man with no influence. She’ll have nothing and pose no threat to us,” Zandra reasoned, hoping to reassure Theo.

However, seeing his continued agitation, she probed further. “Haven’t you moved on from her yet?”

“Why do you ask? What’s so special about her that deserves my attention?” Theo responded immediately.

Zandra scoffed, puzzled by his emotional turmoil. If he truly felt nothing for Elyse, why was he so affected?

“I have no feelings for her, Mother, please stop speculating,” Theo insisted, his frustration evident. He then left the room.

Zandra understood her son perfectly. It was clear he was struggling to move on from Elyse. Elyse had married, yet he couldn't let go. She must have made a strong impression. “Elyse,” Zandra muttered, “now that you’re married, you’d better live your own life and leave my son alone.”

Elyse awoke with a throbbing head. “That wine was dreadful. I have a terrible hangover.” She rose to get some water.

Breakfast was long over. Jayden was in the living room, reading the news. Seeing Elyse’s pale complexion, he remarked, “You’re finally up.”

“I drank too much,” Elyse muttered.

“Everyone knows you can’t hold your liquor,” Jayden teased.

Elyse glared and went to the kitchen, where she found Driscoll watching the chef prepare dessert. “I drank too much last night. Do you have any warm milk? I feel awful,” she admitted.

Driscoll grinned. “Of course. I’ll get you some.”

Elyse returned to the living room, settling beside Jayden. Glancing at him, she said, “Jayden, I dreamt last night that you stood up and carried me.”

Jayden remained calm. “Anything else?”

“You called me a fool.”

“In your dreams, I’m nothing if not honest,” Jayden quipped.

“In my dream, you looked incredibly handsome. I couldn’t take my eyes off you as you effortlessly carried me,” Elyse confessed dreamily.

... ... ...