Chapter 647:
“It’s okay,” Morgan said, a touch of surprise lingering in her voice. “I’m more shocked you actually showed up.”
“Morgan,” Pearce emphasized, a hint of steel in his gaze. “Not Janet anymore.”
Pearce scratched his head sheepishly. “Old habits die hard. To me, you’ll always be Janet. Morgan feels… alien.”
A wry smile tugged at Morgan’s lips. “People change, Pearce. You should too.”
Pearce nodded reluctantly. “Alright, Morgan it is.”
Suddenly, Cody’s voice broke the flow of their conversation. Lost in a world of self-recrimination, he lamented, “Where else could Fiona go after leaving Blue Sea? I must have been a terrible instructor.”
Morgan whipped her head towards Cody; a sharp pinch to his thigh silenced his internal monologue. The pain jolted Cody awake. He blinked blearily, confusion and a hint of annoyance clouding his features. “What was that for? I wasn’t bothering anyone.”
“Look who’s here,” Morgan said, gesturing towards Pearce with a pointed finger.
Following her lead, Cody’s eyes landed on Pearce. Disbelief flickered across his face for a moment before he rubbed his brow. “For a second there, I thought I saw my friend Rickey.”
A wry smile tugged at Pearce’s lips. “Is the resemblance that strong?”
Cody studied him for a moment, a newfound seriousness in his eyes. “At first glance, yeah. But it’s more than looks. There’s a spirit there, a resemblance in demeanor.”
Morgan nodded in agreement. “You have your father’s features, with a hint of Rickey thrown in.”
Pearce gave a thoughtful nod. Morgan scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces. “Speaking of reunions,” she suggested, “why don’t we call Elyse over and make it a proper gathering?”
Cody’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! I have tons of stories and memories to share with her. Perfect timing!”
Pearce’s smile faltered slightly. “Actually, you might not be able to see Elyse.”
Confusion settled on Cody’s face. “Why not? She’s probably home. We can just head over.”
Pearce shook his head. “It’s more complicated than that. Jayden put her under house arrest. Haven’t you noticed she hasn’t been in touch lately?”
This revelation hit Morgan and Cody like a slap. The realization washed over them, leaving them speechless. A frown creased Morgan’s brow. “House arrest? Why would Jayden do that? Do you know anything, Pearce? Spill the beans!”
Pearce sighed heavily. “A few days ago, Elyse met with me. She wanted a divorce from Jayden. We were just starting to talk when he showed up, dragged her away, and locked her up.”
“Divorce?” The word exploded from Cody’s mouth, his drunkenness forgotten. “Why does she want a divorce? Is Jayden mistreating her?”
Pearce shrugged, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “I can’t say for sure. She hinted at things, but they didn’t completely register. But as her cousin, I have to respect her wishes, wouldn’t you agree?”
Cody needed a moment to collect his thoughts. He poured himself another drink. His mind raced, connecting the dots. Fiona’s seduction and Elyse’s sudden decision for a divorce—the pieces seemed to fit.
Morgan, ever the pragmatist, saw things more clearly. She had long observed Elyse’s unhappiness and Jayden’s immaturity. Even genuine love between two young souls could crumble without external forces. But was divorce the only answer?
She mirrored Cody’s action, taking a sip of her drink to compose herself. However, Pearce wasn’t there to discuss salvaging the marriage. His purpose was clear. He wanted to take Elyse away from Jayden.
“I need your help,” he announced, his voice resolute. “I want to get Elyse out of Jayden’s house and take her back to Cambape.”
Morgan’s surprise was evident. “You want them to separate?”
Pearce’s tone was matter-of-fact. “Do you honestly believe Jayden deserves a place at Elyse’s side?”
Cody hesitated. “Divorce is a serious decision. We all know you care about Elyse, but marriage isn’t a game. She can’t just walk away on a whim.”
Pearce waved his hand dismissively. “He imprisoned her. That’s the end of their marriage.”