?<strong>Chapter 503:</strong>


    Elyse’s question jolted Jayden, her gaze locking onto his calm eyes.


    Sensing his distress, Elyse fluttered her eyelids shut, a sad smile gracing her lips. “It must be hard for you to keep it a secret, am I right?”


    Panic wed at him.


    He’d envisioned a grand reveal, standing tall after vanquishing all the hidden dangers.


    But here she was, his biggest secretid bare in her downcast eyes.


    How did she find out? Jayden’s mind raced back to that fateful instant when a car had barreled toward Elyse.


    In that split second, he lost all reason and strategy. Only one thought consumed him: protect Elyse.


    His body had moved on instinct, betraying his carefully crafted facade.


    Elyse sighed, a heavy weight settling in her voice. “Even now, I don’t understand. Why the secrecy, Jayden? Why shut me out?” Her gaze held a tremor of doubt. “Is it because you don’t love me enough?”


    Jayden fumbled for words. “No, Elyse, that’s not it! I love you, deeply.”


    A sardonic smile yed on her lips as she reopened her eyes, turning to face him. “There are moments when I believe it, when I feel like the luckiest woman alive. But then, the doubt creeps in. You seem to have built a fortress around your heart. You stay inside, not willing toe out, and I can’t find a way in. I’ve tried knocking, tried tomunicate, but you just ignore it, sealing yourself away. Only when I’m exhausted, ready to give up, do you emerge for a fleeting embrace. It feels like your love for me is as fleeting as your embrace.”


    A tense silence stretched between them. Finally, Jayden spoke, his voice thick with emotion. “My love is constant, unwavering. It’s never faltered.”


    Elyse offered a strained smile. “Then why does it feel so distant? All I sense is your avoidance, ack of sincerity.”


    Tears welled in Jayden’s eyes, a prickling unease settling in his gut. It was the shift in her gaze, the tremor in her voice, the subtle withdrawal of her hand. Was she contemting leaving?


    Taking a deep breath, Elyse gently touched her stomach. Peyton and the others knew about the baby. There was no hiding it anymore.


    After a moment’s contemtion, she met his gaze. “What if I told you I’m pregnant with your child?”


    The question hung in the air. Jayden, surprised by the sudden shift, responded with unwavering conviction. “We’ll have the baby. However many we have, we’ll raise them together.”


    Relief washed over Elyse. She grasped his hand, cing it on her belly.


    Confused, Jayden looked at her.


    “I’m two months along,” she said seriously. “Too early to tell if it’s a boy or a girl.”


    Jayden stared at her, processing the news.


    Finally, the words tumbled out,ced with disbelief. “You’re pregnant?”


    She nodded. “I found out a few days ago.”


    A frown creased his forehead. “Why not tell me then?”


    Elyse’s eyes narrowed. “Because, frankly, Jayden, you haven’t exactly been forting. And when I mentioned children before, you weren’t exactly enthusiastic.”


    Jayden was speechless. He’d been in a foul mood from seeing Forrest, his response colored by anger.


    “But you forgot one crucial question,” he said.


    Elyse raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”


    He pulled her close. “You never asked how I’d feel if the baby was ours.”


    The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Elyse’s eyes widened. “So, what do you think?” she asked, a flicker of hope igniting in her gaze.


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