Chapter 710:

The woman he loved deeply stood before him. He wanted to kiss her fiercely, to reprimand her for her sudden departure. As Jayden kissed her, he realized Elyse had fallen silent. Pulling away, he saw she was asleep. He couldn't believe she had actually fallen asleep! Furious, and feeling a sharp inner pain, he was unable to act against her.

Jayden remained stoic. He lifted Elyse and sat her on a bench. He stood, holding the umbrella, shielding her from the wind and rain.

About ten minutes later, Irving arrived with a pink wallet. Seeing Elyse, head lowered, on the bench, Irving suspected something was amiss. He quickly approached and checked on her. Discovering she was asleep, he sighed in relief. “I told you, you drank too much,” he said, “but you wouldn’t admit it.” He gathered up her violin and noticed something odd. The violin case was dusted with snow, but Elyse was untouched. Irving scanned the area, finding no one else, and felt confused. “Hey, wake up,” he said, gently tapping her face. “Don’t sleep here; you’ll catch a cold.” Elyse mumbled in her sleep, sinking deeper into slumber. “You’re really lucky to have a friend like me,” Irving said quietly, defeated. He lifted Elyse onto his back and quietly carried her to the hotel.

Unknown to Irving, Jayden silently watched them from behind a large tree as they left.

After her night of drinking, Elyse slept soundly. She awoke the next morning, stretched leisurely, and then the memories of the previous night flooded back. Jayden! He had appeared and kissed her. Elyse instinctively touched her lips, feeling the warmth of his kiss. Eager to confirm Jayden had been there, Elyse hurried to the next room and knocked. Irving, still groggy and unkempt, opened the door, asking impatiently, “What now?”

Elyse cautiously asked, “Irving, did you see Jayden yesterday?”

Irving’s face crumpled with indignation. “Jayden? You were so drunk yesterday, remember?”

Elyse pressed on. “Irving, did you see Jayden or not?”

Irving scratched his head in frustration. “There was no one else there. You’re just missing him so much you’re imagining things.”

Elyse’s resolve wavered. Had she been so drunk she’d imagined it all?

Seeing Elyse lost in thought, Irving sighed, his annoyance softening. “Are you waiting for him to show up?” . . .