Chapter 503:

Elyse's question jolted Jayden; her gaze locked onto his calm eyes. Sensing his distress, Elyse fluttered her eyelids shut, a sad smile gracing her lips. "It must be hard for you to keep it a secret, am I right?"

Panic clawed at him. He'd envisioned a grand reveal, standing tall after vanquishing all hidden dangers. But here she was, his biggest secret laid bare in her downcast eyes. How had she found out? Jayden's mind raced back to that fateful instant when a car had barreled toward Elyse. In that split second, he'd lost all reason and strategy; only one thought consumed him: protect Elyse. His body had moved on instinct, betraying his carefully crafted facade.

Elyse sighed, a heavy weight settling into her voice. "Even now, I don't understand. Why the secrecy, Jayden? Why shut me out?" Her gaze held a tremor of doubt. "Is it because you don't love me enough?"

Jayden fumbled for words. "No, Elyse, that's not it! I love you, deeply."

A sardonic smile played on her lips as she reopened her eyes and turned to face him. "There are moments when I believe it, when I feel like the luckiest woman alive. But then the doubt creeps in. You seem to have built a fortress around your heart. You stay inside, unwilling to come out, and I can't find a way in. I've tried knocking, tried to communicate, but you just ignore it, sealing yourself away. Only when I'm exhausted, ready to give up, do you emerge for a fleeting embrace. It feels like your love for me is as fleeting as your embraces."

A tense silence stretched between them. Finally, Jayden spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "My love is constant, unwavering. It's never faltered."

Elyse offered a strained smile. "Then why does it feel so distant? All I sense is your avoidance, a lack of sincerity."

Tears welled in Jayden's eyes; a prickling unease settled in his gut. It was the shift in her gaze, the tremor in her voice, the subtle withdrawal of her hand—was she contemplating leaving?

Taking a deep breath, Elyse gently touched her stomach. Peyton and the others knew about the baby; there was no hiding it anymore. After a moment's contemplation, she met his gaze. "What if I told you I'm pregnant with your child?"

The question hung in the air. Jayden, surprised by the sudden shift, responded with unwavering conviction. "We'll have the baby. However many we have, we'll raise them together."

Relief washed over Elyse. She grasped his hand, placing it on her belly. Confused, Jayden looked at her.

"I'm two months along," she said seriously. "Too early to tell if it's a boy or a girl."

Jayden stared at her, processing the news. Finally, the words tumbled out, laced with disbelief. "You're pregnant?"

She nodded. "I found out a few days ago."

A frown creased his forehead. "Why not tell me then?"

Elyse's eyes narrowed. "Because, frankly, Jayden, you haven't exactly been forthcoming. And when I mentioned children before, you weren't exactly enthusiastic."

Jayden was speechless. He'd been in a foul mood from seeing Forrest; his response had been colored by anger.

"But you forgot one crucial question," he said.

Elyse raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

He pulled her close. "You never asked how I'd feel if the baby was ours."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Elyse's eyes widened. "So, what do you think?" she asked, a flicker of hope igniting in her gaze.