Chapter 70

Elyse sat on the bed, hugging her knees and crying. She couldn't understand Jayden's constant criticism. Rebekah had sabotaged her, causing her illness, yet Jayden called her foolish. She felt victimized.

"Jayden, you jerk!" she cried. "You've really upset me. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't want to talk to you anymore."

"Really? You don't want to talk to me anymore?" Startled, Elyse lifted her head. Jayden was sitting nearby. She wiped away a tear. "How...how did you get in here? I locked the door."

Jayden jingled a set of keys. "This house is my territory. There's nowhere I can't access."

Elyse's frustration mounted. Feeling her privacy violated, she threw a pillow at him.

"You jerk, get out! You're not allowed in my room!" The pillow hit Jayden's face, then dropped to his lap. He rubbed his stinging face, tossed the pillow aside, and glared at her. He maneuvered his wheelchair closer.

Intimidated, Elyse remained on the bed, trembling. "Don't come any closer. I haven't forgiven you yet," she said nervously.

Ignoring her, Jayden reached out, grasped her ankle, and pulled sharply. He cradled her legs, pulling her onto his lap.

"You...you're becoming quite bold, Elyse. Have I been too lenient?" Jayden said through clenched teeth, surprised by her defiance.

Intimidated by his demeanor, Elyse realized she had been bolder. "It's your fault. You called me foolish. I'm not foolish at all," she protested timidly.

"How are you not foolish? If you were smarter, you'd realize Rebekah isn't going to leave you alone," Jayden retorted.

"How was I supposed to know she'd go to such lengths? I'm the victim here, yet you blame me," Elyse cried, tears welling up. "Jayden, you're a jerk. I hate you."

Annoyed by her sobbing, Jayden snapped, "Stop crying. You're hurting my ears."

But Elyse cried louder. Feeling overwhelmed, Jayden impulsively grasped her chin and kissed her forcefully.

Elyse's eyes widened in shock, but as the kiss continued, she closed her eyes and passively submitted. The kiss was dominant, mirroring Jayden's personality. After a moment, Jayden felt her resistance fade. Releasing her, he watched as she slumped into his arms, breathing heavily. He placed a hand on her back and spoke in a cold, controlled tone.

"Still want to argue with me?" he asked.

Elyse, feeling the aftereffects of the kiss, touched her lips, her tongue tingling. She was fully conscious, as was Jayden.

"You..." she began, her voice faltering, her cheeks flushing.

Jayden remained silent, watching calmly.

"You kissed me," Elyse finally said, her face coloring deeply.

"You are my wife. Can't I kiss you?" Jayden responded evenly.

"I..." Elyse stammered.

"Am I not your husband? Is it illegal for a husband to kiss his wife?" Jayden asked, a hand propping his chin.

In Elyse's view, however, he was a pervert who had overstepped his bounds. She felt something hard pressing against his thigh.

"What's this in your pocket? It's hard," she asked, a mix of curiosity and confusion in her voice.

Jayden's gaze intensified as he tightened his grip on her waist. "What do you think it is? Don't you know?" His tone was teasing.

Unsettled by his intense look and the tingling touch on her waist, Elyse paused. Realization dawned, and she covered her face, leaning into him.

Seeing her bashful reaction, Jayden chuckled. "I told you you're not sharp enough. Why would you even ask that?"

"Stop it!" Elyse burst out, embarrassed. "I didn't expect you could still be aroused."