Chapter 88:
With a sudden realization, the maid turned to find Elyse looking lost. Sensing her mistake, she hastened to reassure her. “Please don’t dwell on it. That’s all in the past. You’re his wife now, and he’s devoted to you.” Elyse bit her lip, her silence betraying her inner turmoil. The pink scarf in the collection room, however, continued to prick at her heart, a constant reminder of Jayden’s past. Seeing Elyse’s distress, the maid hurriedly attempted to console her. “Please don’t be disheartened. The past is just that—past.”
But the weight of the past lingered heavily in Elyse’s thoughts. Why had Theo left after a mere phone call from his past love, Kaelyn? And why couldn’t Shaun muster the courage to turn down Dolores? Despite marrying Jayden, doubts crept in. She knew she should focus on making their present life joyful, but a nagging voice persisted: What if Jayden chose a former lover, like Theo and Shaun had? Elyse kept telling herself they were content, and there was no need for jealousy.
The maid tried to comfort Elyse again, but Elyse cut her off. “I’m fine. Put my motorcycle away. Let’s head out.” With a forced smile, she suppressed her emotions and left the collection room.
Over the next two days, her mood remained sour. She kept busy, leaving early and returning late, purposely avoiding Jayden. Although Jayden noticed her behavior, he attributed it to her anger over the confiscated motorcycle.
As Jayden’s grandfather’s seventieth birthday approached, Elyse, adorned in a purple dress Jayden had selected, accompanied him to his grandpa’s house, nestled on Nipatham Hill. Encircled by rolling hills and commanding a breathtaking view of the river, the house showcased the family's century-long legacy. Stepping out of the car, Elyse felt a twinge of insecurity. Each corner seemed steeped in history, a stark contrast to her previous perceptions of wealth within the Owen family.
Noticing her apprehension, Jayden teased her. “Feeling out of your depth with my family’s wealth?”
Caught off guard, Elyse managed an awkward smile. “Um, maybe a little.”
“You are well-deserving of being part of my family,” Jayden reassured her. “Let’s go.”
Jayden, ever the man of few words, calmly dispelled her self-doubt as they entered the house with their gift.
In the garden, they were greeted by familiar faces. “Jayden, glad you could make it,” Brook exclaimed, setting down his teacup. He then greeted Jayden’s aunt, “Aunt Jessie.”
Standing behind Jayden, Elyse observed a woman in a dark green dress beside Brook. Despite a few wrinkles, her beauty remained striking. She recognized her from Jayden’s family photos: Jessie Owen, Brook’s mother and Jayden’s aunt. Her husband had passed away years ago, leaving her to raise Brook alone, who had taken her last name.
Brook introduced Elyse: “This is my mother. You can call her Aunt Jessie, like Jayden.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aunt Jessie,” Elyse greeted with a smile.
Jessie responded warmly. “You’re a lovely young woman. Marrying Jayden must be quite the adjustment for you,” she remarked kindly.
Elyse, taken aback, quickly reassured her, “Aunt Jessie, I’m not unhappy at all. I’m actually very happy to be married to Jayden.”
Brook interjected, “Mom, I’ve told you Jayden and Elyse love each other. Why won’t you believe me? Are you trying to sow discord between them?” He added earnestly to Elyse, “I apologize on behalf of my mother. Please don’t dwell on it.”
“It’s fine. I’m not bothered anymore,” Elyse replied, although it still weighed heavily on her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Jessie’s remark was a jab at Jayden’s wheelchair-bound condition.
Glancing at Jayden, she found him expressionless. Suppressing her anger, she silently followed him.
Soon, more guests arrived. “Elyse, meet my uncle Seth and his wife Julie, along with their son Greg,” Brook introduced them, then called out, “Greg, I haven’t seen you since your college days.”
Greg Owen, Jayden’s cousin, joined them but ignored Jayden, engaging only with Brook. Jayden’s uncle and aunt exchanged pleasantries with Jessie, completely ignoring Jayden. As the Owen family members exchanged smiles and greetings, Jayden remained overlooked, seemingly relegated from his former position within the family.
Elyse couldn’t help but feel they were more like rivals than relatives.