?<strong>Chapter 1561:</strong>


    Jayden exhaled in relief. “I know. I tried waking you, but you wouldn’t budge. Honestly…” He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “I was this close to pping you awake.”


    Elyse’s smile vanished in an instant. “Wait. Did you p me?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.


    Jayden, suddenly feeling the weight of a guilty conscience, waved his hands in defense. “No! I didn’t get that far—I swear.”


    Elyse checked her face anyway, her fingers grazing her cheeks. Satisfied there was no sting, her expression turned icy. “If you every a hand on me, even as a joke, I’ll kill you. Do you hear me?”


    Jayden stammered, “I was just… worried. You wouldn’t wake up, no matter what I tried.”


    “Doesn’t matter,” Elyse snapped, cutting him off with a re sharp enough to cut ss. “It’s non-negotiable.”


    Jayden nodded quickly, hispliance immediate. It had only been a fleeting thought, a moment of panic—he never would’ve actually dared. Shaking off the tension, Elyse rolled out of bed, hit the shower, and got dressed. Before long, they were out the door and on their way to Cody’s ce.


    Anticipating their arrival, Cody had already arranged breakfast in his yard and sat waiting patiently, his demeanor calm and unhurried. A few minutester, they arrived, and Cody rose to greet them, swinging the wooden gate open with an easy smile.


    He gave them a once-over, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, you two don’t look like you’ve been duking it out. So, what brings you here?”


    Elyse shed her best wide-eyed, innocent look. “What? Can’t we just stop by for a visit?”


    “Of course,” Cody replied smoothly, gesturing for them toe in. But then he leaned closer, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. “Although I’ve got a feeling you’re not here just to enjoy mypany.”


    Jayden shook his head with a sly grin. “Don’t worry, it’s a good something.”


    Cody opened his mouth, ready to reply, but thought better of it. With a sigh and a scratch of his head, he gave in. “Forget it. Juste inside—I made breakfast.”


    Elyse, famished after a restless night filled with unsettling dreams, didn’t need to be told twice. She dove into the meal like someone who hadn’t seen food in days.


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    Watching her devour everything in sight, Cody arched a brow and turned to Jayden. “Doesn’t she get enough to eat at your ce?”


    Jayden chuckled, casting a fond nce at Elyse, who was stillser-focused on her te. “She’s been eating like a horsetely,” he said with a shrug. “Must be working up an appetite with all her practice.”


    Cody nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.


    “Good. She’s way too skinny. If she doesn’t eat, where’s she supposed to get the energy to y the violin?”


    Elyse polished off thest bite, then gratefully epted a mug of warm milk Cody handed her. She sipped it slowly, letting it soothe her nerves.


    “Full now?” Cody teased, leaning back in his chair. “So, are you going to tell me the real reason you came knocking on my door?”


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