Chapter 453:

Elyse couldn't answer Forrest's question. She paused, smiled warmly, and said, "I can't answer you."

"Then I'll keep your secret," Forrest replied, scratching his head.

"Thank you," Elyse said, affectionately touching Forrest's head. "You're my guardian angel. You've really looked out for me today."

Flattered, Forrest blushed and shyly looked away. "Don't praise me. It's just what I should do," he mumbled.

"Hey, little guy, want some cake?" Driscoll called from a distance, smiling.

Forrest's eyes sparkled. He dashed over and eagerly accepted the cake.

Elyse smiled as she watched Forrest joyfully devour it. Approaching Driscoll, she whispered, "Why doesn't Jayden like kids?"

"I don't think he dislikes them. He just finds it hard to get along with children," Driscoll replied candidly, taken aback by the question.

"Why does he feel that way?" Elyse asked, puzzled.

"As a child, he was often neglected and his needs unmet," Driscoll said with a wry smile. "Growing up, he distanced himself from children who showed strong dependence."

He sighed. "If he never received care as a child, how can he offer it to another now that he's grown?"

Elyse fell silent, realizing she didn't know Jayden as well as she thought. He hadn't fully opened his heart to her.

"But you're here now, and maybe you can bring about a change," Driscoll said comfortingly, noticing her troubled expression. "If he becomes a father, I think he'd be great at it."

Elyse hesitated, unsure whether to tell Driscoll her secret.

"Would Jayden be happy if I were pregnant?" she asked cautiously.

Driscoll's smile widened. "He might not show it, but all the servants certainly would be," he replied warmly.

Knowing Jayden's aversion to children, Elyse felt conflicted. Perhaps she should confirm at the hospital. Could all five pregnancy tests be wrong? She struggled to accept the reality.

As dinner approached, Elyse joined Jayden. His expression was unreadable and distant. Tentatively, she broached the topic again. "Jayden, would you be happy if we had a baby?"

"No, I wouldn't," Jayden replied bluntly.

Forrest, who had been eating quietly, looked up sharply. "What's wrong with you? Can't you be kind to Elyse?" his voice tinged with reproach.

Jayden clenched his fists, controlling his anger. He reminded himself Forrest would be gone in an hour.

Elyse felt profoundly disappointed. Jayden's curt rejection left her with no options.

After a while, Jayden glanced at Elyse. "Why have you been talking about kids so much today? Are you thinking about adopting him?" He referred to Forrest.

Forrest's reaction was immediate and fiery. "I wouldn't want a bad man like you for a father!" he exclaimed.

Elyse quickly shook her head. "No, I never thought about that. I was just making conversation," she clarified.

Jayden didn't pursue it and continued eating. Elyse, however, lost her appetite. She nibbled at her food and retreated to the living room.

Jayden noticed her unusual behavior but couldn't understand why. He assumed she was in a bad mood.

In the living room, Elyse clutched a pillow and searched her phone for a hospital, avoiding Peyton's workplace. She found one and decided to visit the next morning.

Despite the positive pregnancy tests, she remained unsure.

Meanwhile, Jayden brought a plate of roasted meat. "You didn't eat much at dinner. Try some of this barbecue made especially for you," he said, offering it to her.

As Elyse looked at the food, she felt nauseous. She covered her mouth and retched.

"What's wrong?" Jayden asked, concerned.

"An upset stomach, I need to go to the bathroom!" Elyse managed before rushing off.

Jayden's confusion grew. If she had an upset stomach, why the sudden nausea? Shouldn't it be diarrhea instead?

...