?<strong>Chapter 479:</strong>


    Elyse’s eyes reflected a deep sadness as she seemed to understand Jayden’s unspoken words. She fixed her gaze on him, the dozen meters between them feeling like miles. The air was thick with unspoken truths.


    With a tightness in her throat, Elyse whispered, “See? I was right—you don’t understand. You’ve overlooked my love; how could you possibly see my suffering?”


    Jayden strained to hear her faint words. Seeing her lips move, he asked, perplexed, “What? I didn’t quite catch that.”


    “I said you can go back now. I need some time alone; I’ll return when I’m ready,” Elyse replied, her eyes reluctantly breaking away from his as she turned to leave, her solitary figure a stark contrast to the emptiness around her.


    Jayden’s frustration surged, his voice rising. “Elyse, if you walk away now, don’t bothering back!”


    His shout reverberated through the quiet, the second floor suddenly feeling deserted, as if Elyse had never been there.


    Though Tracy had once received Jayden’s help, she found herself torn but couldn’t stay silent any longer. His words had crossed a line.


    “Do you really need to be so harsh?” Tracy eximed. “Elyse is a person; she has feelings. Can’t you see how much your words hurt her?”


    As Jayden’s face darkened, Tracy shook her head, disappointed. “When will you ever learn?” Without another word, she ascended the stairs to find Elyse.


    Meanwhile, Jayden stood still, his heart racing as he felt control slipping away. The walls he’d built around himself were not just cracking—they were copsing, and he was powerless to repair them.


    Shaun watched the drama unfold with a sly grin, taunting Jayden. “Mr. Owen, you really are pitiful. Your own wife asked you to leave. Looks like you two won’t be resolving things anytime soon.” His tone was mocking, pushing Jayden’s buttons with glee.


    Jayden clenched his jaw tightly and took several deep breaths, attempting to quell his rising anger. Atst, he turned and made to leave.


    Shaun, caught off guard by Jayden’s decisive exit, called out, “You’re just going to leave your wife like this?”


    Jayden paused, his silence heavy. Finally, he replied, “She’s still upset. I’ll return to pick her up once she’s calmed down.”


    Shaun stroked his chin, a skeptical look crossing his face. “ying the good guy now, are you? What about all that you just said?”


    Upstairs in the guest room, Tracy reached Elyse’s door, knocked softly, and pushed it open. The room was enveloped in darkness. Tracy stepped inside and shut the door behind her, reaching for the light switch, but Elyse stopped her.


    “Stop. I just want to stay in the dark for a while.” Elyse’s voice broke with a sob.


    “Okay, the light stays off. Don’t worry,” Tracy assured her, navigating through the dark until she found Elyse. She took Elyse’s hand and sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as Elyse continued to cry.


    Feeling Elyse’s sorrow, Tracy spoke softly. “I thought Jayden wouldn’t hurt you like this, but he’s clearly upset you.”


    Elyse shook her head slowly. “It’s not exactly hurt. It’s just… being with him is so draining.”


    “What exactly is making you feel so drained?” Tracy asked, her curiosity tinged with concern.


    Elyse’s voice trembled with sadness. “I can’t reach him. He’s built a fortress around his heart. He stays inside, not willing toe out, and I can’t find a way in. I’ve tried knocking, tried tomunicate, but he just ignores it, sealing himself away.”


    Tears choked her voice as she continued, “I’ve tried everything to reach him, but nothing changes. I’ve always felt so shut out.”


    Tracy, stunned by the depth of Elyse’s pain, gently touched her head, offeringfort. “Maybe Jayden doesn’t know how to open up.”


    “Sometimes I feel deeply loved by him; he takes such good care of me. But other times, it feels like he doesn’t love me at all, like his care is just a habit,” Elyse cried, despair clouding her eyes. “He never considers sharing the harder parts of life with me.”


    Tracy fell silent, realizing that the issues between Elyse and Jayden were deep and personal, not something easily intervened in.


    “What can I say? My own rtionship is a mess too. It seems I can’t offer much help,” Tracy admitted ruefully.


    In the enveloping darkness, Elyse’s voice was soft yet resolute. “I just want to be closer to him, for our hearts to be nearer. If our hearts can’t connect, then no matter how many times we’re together, it doesn’t feel like true love.”


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