Chapter 818:
Theo answered, “It’s still a bit early. I’ll fill you in later.”
Elyse cast a skeptical glance at Theo. “Do you truly know anything about him, or is this just your way of drawing me in?”
Theo chuckled, clearly frustrated. “I don’t need any excuses to get close to you. Trust me, I’ll keep my promise.”
Elyse was only somewhat reassured.
After finishing their meal, Elyse and Theo left the restaurant and headed to a nearby mall.
As they strolled past a jewelry store, Theo reached for Elyse’s hand, intending to lead her inside. She pulled away.
“Don’t even think about giving me jewelry. I’m not accepting it,” Elyse declared firmly. Her smile was gentle, but her eyes were resolute, causing Theo to drop the subject.
He exhaled deeply. “Actually, I wanted to give you a ring as a token of what I owed you from our planned wedding. It was my way of making amends,” he confessed.
Elyse looked towards the jewelry store and stated calmly, “Since the wedding never happened, you owe me nothing.”
Theo felt a wave of unease after Elyse spoke, worried she might be disappointed in him.
Attempting to maintain his composure, he inquired, “If we’re not heading to the jewelry store, then where do you suggest we go?”
Elyse gave Theo a quick look. “Didn’t you mention you had everything figured out?”
Flushing with embarrassment, Theo admitted, “I initially planned to take you to pick out some jewelry, followed by a trip to a high-end store for handbags and clothes. But it seems you’re not interested in that sort of thing.”
Elyse chuckled. “Was that your grand plan for our date?”
Theo’s awkwardness intensified. “I consulted several friends, and they all assured me you’d be thrilled with the idea. They claimed it was foolproof for impressing any woman.”
Elyse nodded. “They might be onto something, but I’m just not feeling it today.”
Theo’s heart sank. Would nothing he planned today please her?
Resigned, he suggested, “Forget it. Let’s just find a quiet spot to sit and chat. You wanted to learn more about Jayden, right? I’ll fill you in on everything.”
Elyse looked surprised but didn’t object.
They settled into a cozy café. While Elyse savored the chocolate cake Theo had ordered, she probed, “So, what’s Jayden’s secret? What do you know?”
Theo, encouraged by her direct approach, didn’t hesitate. “Did you know he was raised by Enzo?” Elyse continued to eat her cake, nodding in response.
Theo explained, “Jayden was quickly placed in Enzo’s care as soon as he began to recognize words. He was sent abroad in secrecy until he was ten, then disappeared for seven years before resurfacing in public.”
He continued, “Shortly after Jayden returned, a series of violent episodes broke out. The victims were left nearly dead, beaten by Jayden, while the Owen family managed to keep it all under wraps.”
Elyse’s face registered complete bewilderment.
Theo noticed her puzzled look, exhaled deeply, and said with gravity, “Jayden suffers from mania. That’s what the doctors determined after evaluating him post those incidents. You might find him calm and benign now, but it’s merely a facade.”
Elyse reacted with disbelief. “Mania? But he’s always been gentle with me.”
Theo questioned her, “Are you certain?”
“I…” Elyse faltered, her memory hazy as she tried to recall instances when Jayden had been violent, particularly during their heated arguments and intimate moments. At times, Jayden seemed like an uncontrollable force, driven by primal desires, completely disregarding her boundaries.
Seeing her begin to recollect, Theo spoke with a tone of resignation. “You have to see, Jayden is a complete lunatic. It’s only because of Enzo’s intervention and forced treatment that he’s been somewhat stable.”
After a brief silence, Theo pressed on. “But how can you be sure he won’t turn violent towards you someday?”
Elyse sighed inwardly, realizing that Jayden’s violent tendencies weren’t just confined to his actions in bed; they were a part of him. He hadn’t truly calmed down.
After a moment of reflection, she questioned, “What’s Jayden been up to these past seven years? Have you uncovered anything?”
Theo shook his head, disappointment lining his features. “Nothing concrete. It’s like those years have been wiped clean by the Owen family. It’s a total blackout on any details. But, I’ve learned that the Owens are tightly knit with the Hudsons. Enzo and the Hudsons work closely together.”
“The Hudsons are involved with Enzo?” Elyse asked, her disbelief clear.
“Yes, though I’m not privy to the details of their dealings. The Hudsons are even more enigmatic and tougher to pin down than Enzo himself,” Theo confirmed.
Elyse mulled over the information. “That explains why Jayden’s been so secretive.”
Theo, observing Elyse’s concern for Jayden, felt a twinge of envy. He couldn’t help but speak ill of Jayden.
“Whatever it is that the Hudson and Owen families are cooking up, Jayden’s part of it. Staying with him isn’t safe. Why not consider someone safer? Like me, I’m just an ordinary guy.”
His words broke through her thoughts. Elyse gave him a helpless smile and replied, “Theo, it seems you’re still not ready to let go. I’ve moved on, but you’re still living in the past.”