?<strong>Chapter 644:</strong>
Jayden brushed aside Elyse’s crestfallen expression and barked out an order. She was escorted out of the garden and back inside, her movements closely monitored by the ever-present Driscoll.
Meanwhile, Morgan and Cody’s attempts to visit were politely stonewalled by the house staff. Jayden had even taken control of Elyse’s phone, effectively severing her connection to the outside world. Elyse felt like a caged bird, her freedom clipped and her spirit dampened.
This suffocating situation cemented a gnawing truth in her gut: this wasn’t home. Home wasn’t a gilded cage; it wasn’t a ce where she felt like a beautiful possession.
After a week of house arrest, her frustration reached a boiling point. Standing defiant in the biting wind of the garden, she began to y a sad melody on her violin.
Driscoll, despite hisck of musical knowledge, could feel the raw emotions pouring out of the instrument. He shuffled closer, concern etching lines on his face.
“Ms. Elyse, are you alright?”
Elyse lifted her chin, her bow weaving a passionate tapestry of sound. She was lost in her music, her notes filled with a raw, aching emotion. Every passing day twisted their connection further, leaving her utterly bewildered.
The final note hung in the air as she finished the piece, her chest heaving with exertion. Driscoll, rmed by her state, rushed to her side. “Do you need a doctor?”
She dismissed him with a wave, taking deep breaths to calm the storm within. “No, just a little winded.”
Driscoll couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. “Why put yourself through this? Mr. Owen is who he is. He won’t change.”
A bitter smile yed on Elyse’s lips. “Do you also think I’m being unreasonable? Jayden showers me with affection and gives me everything I could ever want. Am I asking for too much?”
Driscoll shifted ufortably. He couldn’t fathom why she clung to this desire for a divorce, especially when she had what most people only dreamt of.
Elyse’s voice cut through his difort. “Does your wife know everything about you, Driscoll? Every secret, every dark corner of your past?”
A proud smile bloomed on his face. “Of course. We tell each other everything. We’re partners, confidantes, a family built on trust and support. We love each other more than anything.”
Elyse’s smile deepened. “That’s what I want with Jayden.”
Driscoll, understanding glimmering in his eyes, offered a helpless shrug. “But Mr. Owen might not be capable of that. Must you leave because of this?”
Elyse sighed. “The old me would have clung to Jayden, endured anything. But I’ve changed. I see the cracks in my own foundation now.”
Driscoll, speechless, could only offer her a silent nod.
As dusk settled, Jayden pulled into the driveway. The strains of music drew him towards the garden. Elyse released a sigh, her gaze fixed on the endless horizon.
He paused, captivated by the melody. “What is she ying?” he inquired of a maid beside him.
The maid, unfamiliar with music, fumbled nervously. “I’m sorry, sir, I’m not sure.”
Jayden didn’t press the issue. He lingered for a moment, then asked, “Has she been ying all afternoon?”
The maid nodded. “Yes, she has been practicing diligently, with only a short break.”
“Seems like she’s in good spirits,” Jayden remarked, already striding towards the garden.
Lost in the music, Elyse didn’t notice his arrival. When she finished the piece and opened her eyes, Jayden stood before her, his presence a tangible weight in the air. He watched her intently for a moment before asking curiously, “What was that piece?”
Elyse offered a yful smile. “I Love You.”
Jayden’s eyebrows shot up. “Trying to soften me up, are you?”
Elyse met his gaze defiantly. “Actually, the piece is called ‘I Love You.’”
Jayden studied her rebellious stance, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. “So, even after all this, you haven’t changed your mind?”
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