?Chapter 1736:


    After a moment’s hesitation, Jennie’s words tumbled out. “Yes… I need to know, did Corrie really once force you to terminate your pregnancy?”


    “Yes,” Elyse managed, her voice barely above a whisper.


    “That heartless woman,” Jennie spat, her hands clenching into fists. “She forced you to lose your baby just because she couldn’t find a man of her own.”


    A hint of a sad smile crossed Elyse’s face. “Let’s not dwell on that. Once the doctor sees you and prescribes some ointment, we’ll get that swelling on your face taken care of.”


    Jennie nodded, stealing furtive nces at Elyse as if wrestling with something else on her mind.


    “There’s more troubling you, isn’t there?” Elyse prodded softly.


    Jennie’s thoughts turned to Corrie’s kidnapping of her best friend, but she caught herself. Given their limited rtionship, bringing up such a sensitive topic might only cause Elyse more trouble.


    After an internal struggle, she forced a smile. “No, nothing else.”


    Elyse studied her face thoughtfully but chose not to push further.


    When a doctor arrived, he examined Jennie’s injury and prescribed an ointment, which Elyse immediately began applying with gentle care. The cooling sensation brought instant relief to Jennie’s throbbing face, recing the pain with blessedfort.


    As Elyse tended to her injury, Jennie couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you being so kind to me?”


    “You’re Brook’s girlfriend,” Elyse replied softly. “That’s reason enough.”


    Jennie’s gaze dropped to the floor. “For now, at least. Tomorrow… who knows?”


    Every story starts at galn   ovels ;


    “The future has you worried?” Elyse observed.


    “Who can ever be certain about rtionships?” Jennie murmured, her voice heavy with doubt.


    “If it’s bothering you this much, why not talk to him?” Elyse suggested. “Ask him for the reassurance you need.”


    Jennie opened her mouth to respond but faltered. She finally said, her voice tinged with resignation, “All I can do is wait and see how long Brook and Ist.”


    Elyse watched Jennie with growing concern, troubled by the young woman’s evidentck of faith in Brook.


    After finishing with the ointment, Elyse gave Jennie a ride home in contemtive silence, the air heavy with unspoken words.


    Once alone in her room, Jennie copsed onto her bed, finally letting her tears flow freely until exhaustion imed her.


    In the darkness of her chamber, she remained oblivious to the eerily red glow emanating from the brooch on her chest.


    Meanwhile, in a luxurious vi in Cambape, Brook sat with headphones on, his expression tense as he faced Jayden across the room. Jayden took a measured sip of his drink before speaking.


    “It’s obvious Corrie has Jennie under some kind of threat, but this distrust she shows toward you—how did thate about?”


    Brook’s brow furrowed deeply. Jennie’s constant doubt gued their rtionship, and even Elyse had failed to break through her walls of silence. “Corrie must have gotten to her,” Brook said, his voice tight with frustration. “Said something that’s keeping Jennie from speaking up.”


    .


    .


    .