Chapter 585:

After spending time with Jayden, Peyton persuaded Elyse to return to her own ward, reminding her of her own weakness. Elyse repeatedly glanced back at Jayden before leaving. Seeing his vulnerability for the first time, she felt sympathy.

Noticing Elyse's reluctance, Peyton reassured her. "Don't worry," she said. "Jayden will recover. He just needs rest."

Elyse gazed at Jayden and softly said, "Please take good care of him for me."

"Don't worry," Peyton replied confidently, patting her chest in reassurance.

Elyse smiled at Peyton, then left the ward. Gavin and Irving, who had remained at the hospital, escorted her back to her ward. Both noticed her distress, exchanged a glance, and tried to comfort her. "Don't worry," they said. "Those who hurt you will face consequences."

Elyse nodded silently. She understood, far better than Gavin and Irving, that Enzo was the true perpetrator. Enzo, a tyrannical ruler, would undoubtedly try again after his initial failure. This realization intensified her anxiety. Previously, Jayden had shielded her from the Owen clan's affairs, and she had only seen Enzo as bossy and authoritarian. Now, she found him terrifying.

Irving and Gavin initially planned to leave, but after seeing Elyse stare wide-eyed at the ceiling for two hours, they decided to stay, fearing she might harm herself.

"Elyse," Irving said, unable to bear her distress, "if you're sad, it's okay to cry. Don't hurt yourself." He approached her bed, concern etched on his face.

Composing herself, Elyse met his gaze and offered a forced smile. "Irving, it's late. You and Gavin should go home. I'm just having trouble sleeping. I'll eventually fall asleep."

Irving shook his head. "You seem more than sleepless. You look like you might do something reckless."

Elyse shook her head reassuringly. "I won't do anything reckless. I have an international competition to attend, remember?"

Irving looked at Gavin, who agreed that Elyse wouldn't harm herself. He touched her head and comforted her. "Our phones are on twenty-four hours a day. If anything urgent happens, call us. We'll come immediately."

Elyse nodded, then waved dismissively. "I won't see you out. Go."

Irving and Gavin left. After they departed, Elyse watched the door close and whispered, "I lied. I actually feel like I don't want to live anymore."

Despite her despair, she knew she had to live.

The next morning, Elyse awoke dizzy and weak. Driscoll immediately summoned a doctor upon noticing her discomfort. Elyse lay quietly while the doctor and nurses examined her, concluding her discomfort stemmed from weakness.

Seeing Elyse's lifeless expression, Driscoll felt sorrow. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have protected you better."

Lifting her head, Elyse waved her hand. "Don't be too hard on yourself. No one can stand against Enzo, can they?"

Driscoll's heart sank. Elyse's perceptiveness and low spirits worried him. He wished she would vent her frustrations, hoping it might improve her mood.

"Elyse!" Pearce burst into the ward, breathless. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of her. He'd been informed of her hospitalization the previous day but had been preoccupied with business in Cambape. Only after finishing his work and making further inquiries did he learn about the loss of her baby.

At the sight of Pearce, Elyse's composure crumbled. She turned to Driscoll, struggling to maintain her calm. "I'd like something to eat," she said. "Could you get me some food, Driscoll?"

Understanding their need for privacy, Driscoll nodded. "Right away," he said, and left the ward.

Alone, Elyse's emotions overwhelmed her. She cried out, "Pearce! Where have you been? My baby is gone. I'm heartbroken."

Pearce's eyes were red from emotion and lack of sleep; he'd stayed up all night to be there for her. He embraced her, his voice breaking. "Don't worry. I'm here now. I'll make sure justice is served." . . .