Chapter 800:

Elyse stared at him, stunned. “Theo? Causing a scene? That doesn’t sound like him. He always measures every move, weighs the pros and cons.”

Brook continued eating, smiling. “People change, Elyse. Over time, they figure out who’s worth fighting for and who they should’ve never let go.”

He leaned back, watching her closely. “Theo’s realized you’re the one he should’ve held onto. Why wouldn’t he make a scene?”

Elyse’s disbelief lingered. “Even if he’s had some sort of epiphany, he wouldn’t throw everything away just for me!”

Brook shook his head gently, lowering his voice. “Theo has even fallen out with his mother. It seems they’ve cut ties.”

Elyse’s response was tinged with disbelief. “So impulsive? That doesn’t sound like him.”

“He’s always been too controlled,” Brook explained. “People can only be pushed so far before they snap.”

This revelation soured Elyse’s mood. The idea of Theo acting so desperately was unsettling. Once, such a gesture might have touched her deeply—back when she truly cared for him. But those days felt like a lifetime ago, and now, she viewed her past sentiments as youthful naiveté.

Noticing her silence, Brook continued, “By the time Theo acted, it was too late. You’d vanished. He thought Jayden had you hidden away somewhere and confronted him, bitterly, for months.”

Elyse listened, her face unreadable.

“Then, when you made it to the finals and everyone in our country was talking about you, that was how he found out you went overseas,” Brook added.

Surprised, Elyse questioned, “Is the competition really that well-followed?”

Brook pulled out his phone, showing her the extensive coverage. “If you win, you’ll be the talk of the town.”

Worry clouded Elyse’s expression. “But what if I don’t? I’ll be a joke.”

Brook laughed, pocketing his phone. “Then you’d better try harder. I’ll be rooting for you.”

Elyse frowned, unamused. “Like your support will make a difference.”

“Oh, but Jayden’s support would, wouldn’t it?” Brook teased with a knowing smirk.

Elyse shot him a sharp look, sensing something amiss but unable to pinpoint it. She snapped, “Don’t start. I’m not relying on anyone but myself.”

Brook shrugged. “Had another fight with him, huh? I’ll stay out of it.” He quickly finished his meal and stood. “I’ve got urgent business. Take your time here. I’m off.”

After Brook departed, Elyse had a sudden realization—Brook assumed she and Jayden had merely argued, oblivious to the fact they had divorced. Was it possible that Jayden hadn’t disclosed their separation to anyone?

Puzzled, she reached for her phone and tried calling Jayden while continuing her meal. Despite multiple attempts, there was no answer from him.

This pattern continued; Elyse called him every day without a response, and as the competition approached, she still hadn’t heard from him.

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