Chapter 821:

Elyse approached Theo and carefully placed her violin in its case. She lifted it easily. Theo extended his hand to help, but she stepped aside. His offer hung awkwardly in the air. “I just wanted to help,” he said, the awkwardness palpable.

Elyse paused, then responded with polite reserve, “I appreciate it, but I’m used to handling things on my own. The violin isn’t heavy.”

Theo was reminded that during their three years together, he had never carried her things. Yet, he had carried a backpack for a junior, a designer handbag for a brief affair, and even delivered cakes and coffee to Kaelyn on set, always eager to lighten their burdens.

As he reflected on his past behavior toward Elyse, he recognized a troubling pattern. Despite her genuine affection, he had kept his distance, maintaining a mask of indifference.

He pondered this deeply, realizing he had believed no one could genuinely care for him without wanting something in return. This belief stemmed from his experiences in an environment rife with ulterior motives, where everyone seemed to seek a piece of his family’s fortune.

Back then, Theo had convinced himself Elyse was just another opportunist. So he guarded himself, waiting for her true colors to show, expecting to uncover a facade of greed and deceit. But that revelation never came. Instead, news of her impending marriage to Jayden reached him, sending him into a state of unexpected panic and anger.

Why did he react so strongly? Was it because Elyse had proven to be insincere and untrustworthy? He had believed it right to push her away.

Yet, over time, he recognized a painful truth—no one had ever loved him as genuinely and unconditionally as Elyse had during those three years. Now, beside her, realizing her indifference to their past, he felt a profound sense of loss.

Elyse’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Let’s go back. It’s past midnight; our date is over.”

He checked his watch; it was indeed past midnight. He nodded, and they started walking back in silence.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between them until Theo attempted to break it. “Your violin performance earlier—it took me back. The very first time I saw you, you were playing just like that.”

Elyse, reminded of the memory, smiled softly and nodded. “Yes, I remember that day well. The school had organized an event, and I had signed up despite feeling completely unprepared. I was so nervous about not being good enough that I would practice in secret.”

“You were mesmerizing,” Theo admitted, his voice warm in the cooler evening air. “I was captivated from the first note and followed the sound just to see who was playing with such passion.”

A shadow of discomfort momentarily crossed his face. “It’s funny; I was the one who approached you first, wasn’t I?”

Elyse’s brow furrowed in mild confusion. “What are you getting at?”

“Nothing,” Theo replied, his smile twisting wryly. “I’m just realizing how arrogant I was back then. How foolishly I behaved.”