Chapter 643:

Elyse’s eyes widened in shock; her heart hammered against her ribs. Instinctively, she shot up. “How’d you find me? Were you stalking me?”

Jayden ignored her, his icy gaze locking on Pearce. The warmth drained from Jayden’s face, replaced by a chilling frost.

“So he’s the reason for the divorce request,” a humorless laugh escaped his clenched teeth, sending shivers down Elyse’s spine.

“It’s not what you think,” Elyse interjected, desperate to clear the air.

But her words were cut short as Jayden’s grip tightened around her wrist, yanking her back to his side. His deep eyes, devoid of warmth, drilled into hers. “Not another word for him,” he growled, the threat barely veiled.

The blood drained from Elyse’s face. She stood frozen, terrified that even a single word would ignite his fury.

Witnessing Jayden’s possessiveness, Pearce’s resolve hardened. This man was no good for Elyse. With a grim set to his jaw, Pearce stood. “If you can’t make her happy, maybe you don’t deserve her. She has every right to divorce you.”

Jayden’s jaw clenched tightly. “What did you just say?”

“I’ll deliver the divorce papers myself,” Pearce continued, his voice unwavering. “If you truly love her, let her go.”

His gaze met Jayden’s; the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Both men, towering figures of the business world, faced off, their silent confrontation filling the private room.

Fearing the worst, Elyse squeezed between them, acting as a human buffer. One was her husband, the other her cousin. The last thing she needed was a brawl.

Her voice choked. Elyse pleaded with Pearce, “Please, just go.”

Pearce’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

Elyse sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. “We can talk later. Please, just don’t make this worse.”

Pearce’s eyes softened, realizing Elyse’s feelings had also softened. He had underestimated the depth of her feelings for Jayden, but her wish to leave signaled that her marriage was inescapable.

With a tremor in her voice, Elyse repeated, “Just go.”

Pearce took a deep breath, a silent concession. “Fine. But don’t hurt her, Jayden. She’s not someone you can afford to mess with.”

Jayden met Pearce’s glare with a coldness of his own. As soon as the door shut behind Pearce, his weary gaze shifted to Elyse. “You really want to divorce me that badly? Where did I go wrong?”

Elyse tilted her head away, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Frustration bubbled up inside Jayden. “Talk to me. What’s the reason? Did Pearce put something in your head? Do you want to run off with him?” His voice rose with each question.

Elyse had had enough. “You don’t want a divorce? Fine. Then tell me everything. Your past, everything. If you do that right now, the divorce is off the table.”

Jayden’s jaw dropped; disbelief was etched across his face. “A divorce over something so trivial? What’s gotten into you?”

“Trivial?” Elyse retorted, her voice rising. “Is that all this is to you? We can’t have a real conversation! There’s a wall around your heart, and you keep me out. You’re pushing me away!”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “How can you possibly love me if your heart’s closed?”

Jayden’s helplessness seeped through. “You’re already in my heart. What more do you want?”

The storm in Elyse subsided, replaced by a chilling calm. She knew Jayden wouldn’t open up, not ever. In a quiet voice, she said, “You hide behind a mask, Jayden. Don’t you see? I know what I am to you. It scares me. There’s no security, no trust. It feels like you could walk away at any moment. Do you understand?”

A single word, devoid of warmth, escaped Jayden’s lips. “Boring.” Then, with a rough hand, he grabbed her arm and ushered her out.

Back at their home, Jayden tossed Elyse onto the sofa. He addressed a startled Driscoll. “Keep an eye on her. No leaving, no visitors, until she gets over this divorce nonsense.”

Driscoll’s eyes widened in surprise. “Geez! You want a divorce?”

Elyse lay on the plush cushions, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

“Don’t you dare give me those accusatory eyes,” Jayden snapped. “You’re the one being ridiculous. I’ve showered you with everything, and this is how you repay me? By demanding a divorce over a minor issue?”

Elyse’s voice trembled. “I’m the one being ridiculous? But I’ve tried to talk to you! You never listen to how I feel about this.”

Jayden coldly replied, “I listen to you, but you’re wrong. Why should I listen if you’re wrong?”