Chapter 99:

Elyse quickly left Richie's embrace, saying with embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I wasn't standing steadily." Richie nodded and turned to Kaelyn with a warm smile. "Kaelyn, you're looking great these days."

Kaelyn stepped out of the elevator and chatted with Richie, completely ignoring Elyse. Elyse wasn't bothered. Arriving home, she found Jayden in his wheelchair, engrossed in a book. She swiftly approached, closed the book, and asked with irritation, "When did you get home?"

Jayden looked up. "I arrived an hour before you."

"Why didn't you come to see my performance?" Elyse asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Jayden, perplexed, raised his eyebrows. "Even if I had, I wouldn't have caught your performance, would I?"

Elyse stared at him a moment, then snorted coldly and went upstairs. Jayden, puzzled, turned to Driscoll. "Why is she mad? I didn't do anything."

Driscoll sighed. "She wanted you there. Even if you missed her performance, showing up would have meant a lot."

Jayden remained puzzled. "But why should I go if I had other commitments?"

Driscoll responded gravely. "It's about showing interest and care. That's what matters to her."

"Have I ever ignored her?" Jayden protested. "I take care of everything for her."

"You're in a relationship," Driscoll stressed urgently. "She's your partner."

Jayden started to object, then fell silent. Driscoll, noting Jayden's bewildered expression, continued, "She wants you to appreciate her talents. She's been excited about today's performance for days, but you weren't there despite her anticipation."

Jayden had never truly understood love, but Driscoll's words illuminated Elyse's perspective. "Being involved with a woman is such a hassle," he complained.

Driscoll shook his head. "No true gentleman finds it bothersome to be with a woman. You should cultivate a romantic relationship with her."

Jayden frowned. "She's my wife. Why do I need to work on starting a romance now?"

Driscoll gave Jayden a knowing look. "If you don't grasp the essence of love, you'll never understand her." Jayden pursed his lips, looked at Driscoll, started to speak several times, hesitated, and finally remained silent. Seeing Jayden had absorbed his advice, Driscoll said no more.

Just then, Elyse descended the stairs with an empty glass and headed for the kitchen. Seeing her, Driscoll began eagerly, "Elyse, wait! Mr. Owen has already—"

Elyse shot Jayden a glance, snorted coldly without speaking, and went to the kitchen. Jayden clenched his teeth. How could she ignore him like that?

Noticing Jayden's irritation, Driscoll quickly intervened. "Stay calm. She's still upset."

Jayden maneuvered his wheelchair to intercept Elyse, but she brushed past him with a glass of milk, pinching his waist sharply. "Ouch!" Jayden inhaled sharply, clutching the pinched area. She left without looking back.

Enraged, Jayden yelled, "Elyse Lloyd, stop!" She continued upstairs, ignoring him. Driscoll watched, his eyes reflecting helplessness as he observed the angry woman and the furious man.

Back in her room after finishing her milk, Elyse repeatedly glanced at the door. She set the glass down and muttered aggrievedly, "Why hasn't he come in yet?"

Unbeknownst to her, Jayden sat just outside her door. He could have entered, soothed her anger, and been confident she would forgive him. However, Driscoll's words had sparked a realization; he acknowledged he didn't understand their relationship. Several times, Jayden almost knocked, but hesitated and retreated to the study. Elyse waited until midnight, but Jayden never apologized.