Chapter 45:

“Do you truly wish for me to stand?” Jayden inquired calmly.

Elyse nodded earnestly. “Absolutely. You were once able-bodied. Wouldn’t you like to stand again?”

Then, adopting a serious tone, she added, “Truly, you looked so striking in my dream. I was captivated by you.”

Jayden lightly stroked his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips. She was indeed naive and easily swayed.

Shortly after, Driscoll returned with warm milk and placed it in front of Elyse.

“Thank you, Driscoll,” Elyse said, settling into her chair and savoring the milk’s warmth.

Observing her enjoyment, Jayden’s appetite was piqued. He had eaten alone earlier, but seeing her delight in the milk made him hungry. “Could I have a serving as well?” he requested.

Driscoll, aware of Jayden’s lack of appetite earlier, was pleased to see his newfound interest. He promptly went to the kitchen and returned with another glass of warm milk.

“Did you eat breakfast today?” Elyse asked.

“I woke up too early and had no appetite,” Jayden explained.

Elyse chuckled. “Then you’d better join me for breakfast.”

Jayden glanced at her, issuing a reminder. “We have a dinner party tonight. Try not to overdo it with the drinks. You were so tipsy last night that it took two maids to carry you back to your room.”

Elyse was startled. “That can’t be. I haven’t been eating much lately. I couldn’t have gained weight.”

“How do you think you made it back to your room, then?” Jayden prodded.

“Didn’t you carry me?” she ventured tentatively.

“In your dream,” he quipped.

Elyse struggled to accept this. Trying to change the subject, she playfully fed Jayden some grapes.

Accepting the offering with a faint smile, Jayden remarked, “Looks like you’ve gained a bit of weight, but you won’t let me say it.”

“Stop it. I don’t believe I’ve gained weight,” Elyse protested.

As Driscoll approached with breakfast, witnessing their playful exchange, he grinned and offered, “Mr. Owen, please enjoy your breakfast.”

Once the food was served, Elyse turned to Driscoll anxiously. “Did I really gain weight? Jayden said it took two maids to carry me back to my room last night.”

Driscoll interjected, “He’s teasing you. You’re quite slender. In fact, the chef mentioned wanting to help you put on a bit of weight a few days ago.”

Relieved, Elyse shot Jayden a glare. Jayden simply grinned and teased, “You really are gullible. You’ll believe anything I say, won’t you?”

“Jayden!” she exclaimed, feeling a pang of embarrassment at being duped. How could he undermine her like that? It was a blow to her self-esteem.

After breakfast, as Elyse gave Jayden a massage, she couldn’t resist pinching him a few times, venting her frustration.

Once she left the room, Jayden winced, rubbing the spot where she’d pinched him. “She’s getting bolder.”

As Elyse was engrossed in studying a music score in her room, her phone rang. Seeing Zandra’s name on the caller ID, she was visibly surprised. Why would Zandra be calling her?

After a moment of hesitation, she answered. “Hello, what can I do for you?”

There was some background noise on Zandra’s end as she spoke. “Do you have some free time? I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Elyse hesitated. “Can’t we discuss this over the phone?”

“It’s better to talk in person,” Zandra insisted.

After some consideration, Elyse finally agreed. “Alright, I’ll come over.”

Zandra replied, “I’ll send you the address shortly. You can come directly.”

After hanging up, Elyse’s expression turned serious. She couldn’t predict what Zandra wanted to discuss and doubted it would be pleasant.

Recalling her past encounters with Theo’s parents, particularly Zandra’s disapproval during their first meeting and their abrupt departure when Theo ran out of his wedding, Elyse felt uneasy. After deliberating for a moment, she decided to seek out Jayden.

Jayden, engrossed in reading a document, didn’t notice her approach. Quickly adjusting himself in his wheelchair, he turned to face her. “What’s on your mind?”

“Zandra called me. She’s Theo’s mother. She invited me to lunch,” Elyse informed him.

Raising an eyebrow, Jayden remarked, “So, you’ll meet your ex’s mother?”

Elyse’s expression darkened. “I doubt it’ll be a pleasant discussion. I suspect she has ulterior motives.”

“Will you still go, then?” Jayden inquired.

“It would be impolite not to. Besides, I owe Zandra an explanation for calling off the wedding with Theo,” Elyse replied somberly.

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