Chapter 970:

There was a brief pause before Jayden spoke in a concerned tone, “Are you doing okay at Edward’s?”

Elyse took a moment to compose herself, then said more steadily, “Yes, I’m alright. Don’t worry about me.”

“Are you crying, little liar?” Jayden asked, his voice tinged with resignation.

A tear rolled down Elyse’s cheek, landing on her bedding before she quickly wiped it away. “No, I’m not crying. I told you not to worry, and yet here you are, concerned over nothing.”

She glanced around her room and added, “I’m at the Moon Palace. Edward is the governor’s son. With him here, I almost feel untouchable.”

Jayden replied, “I know. That’s why I left you in Edward’s care.”

Though Jayden disliked Edward, he acknowledged the man’s influence. With Edward nearby, Elyse would be safe.

He paused, then added, “I’ll come to pick you up once I finish my business here.”

Elyse scoffed. “You never share what you’re doing. You’re such a liar!”

Jayden fell silent. “I’m sorry, but I have my reasons for keeping things from you.”

“Don’t bother coming back for me, then. I don’t see what good comes from all this secrecy.”

Elyse inhaled deeply, frustration bubbling inside her. “If you insist on pushing me away, I don’t care anymore. Nobody waits forever for someone.”

Jayden didn’t reply, but Elyse could hear the wind and a lighter flicking. She guessed he was smoking a cigarette. Closing her eyes, she visualized the scene.

After a lengthy silence, Jayden said in a subdued tone, “It doesn’t matter. If you want to be with another man, go ahead. But if I come back and find him, I’ll kill him.”

Elyse was shocked. “Have you lost your mind?”

“I’m not joking,” Jayden stated, inhaling and exhaling slowly. “In this life, you are only meant to be with me. Don’t even consider other men.”

Elyse’s anger rose. “So, I’m supposed to be with you, kept in the dark and played for a fool, huh?” Her voice trembled. “You’ve always been this way! Why can’t you change? You promised to share your secrets with me, but now it’s always ‘next time.’ When will you stop making excuses?”

Elyse felt overwhelmed. She bit her hand to stifle a cry. What was the use of crying? Jayden had messed up initially, and they were already divorced. Did it really matter whether she knew his secrets or not? She kept trying to convince herself.

On the other end, Jayden heard Elyse’s muffled cries, his expression reflecting loneliness and regret. . . .