?<strong>Chapter 533:</strong>


    Elyse nced at Morgan’s angry expression and asked hesitantly, “Do you really despise my Dad?”


    “I loathe him!” Morgan clenched her fist, likely dredging up memories of old wounds, and gritted her teeth, clearly itching to tear Rickey apart.


    After her fury ebbed, Morgan sighed and smiled bitterly. “Even though I can’t stand him, I have to admit he has some redeeming qualities, and I’m oddly grateful to him.”


    Turning to face Elyse, Morgan gently caressed her cheek, her voice softening. “Your dad is much stronger than I am. When I was at my lowest, he pulled me out of the darkness with his strength. Despite my hatred, I can’t ignore the gratitude I feel.”


    Elyse gazed at Morgan intently, sensing a deeper affection for her father lurking beneath the surface.


    Morgan’s words said she hated Rickey, but the nostalgia in her voice and the expressions on her face suggested otherwise.


    Elyse tucked this observation away and smiled. “I think my dad must trust you a lot. That’s why he always relies on you.”


    Morgan raised an eyebrow but didn’t deny it. “Let’s leave it at that for today. I’ll tell you more about your parents another time.”


    Seeing Morgan prepare to leave, Elyse quickly grabbed her arm, her eyes pleading. “Do you have any photos of my parents together? I really want at least one picture of them.”


    Morgan frowned, shaking her head. She had no photos herself, but she recalled a ce that might. However, she wasn’t certain it still existed.


    After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll need to look for it. If I find it, I’ll give it to you.”


    Elyse beamed, “Thank you!”


    “From now on, call me Morgan,” she said, her eyes warm. “I prefer Morgan over J.”


    “Okay, Morgan!” Elyse nodded enthusiastically.


    Morgan grinned at Jayden and said, “I’m off to keep my mompany now. Give me a call if you need anything.”


    Jayden rose to his feet and offered, “I’ll walk you out.”


    Morgan’s eyes flicked to Jayden’s abdomen, her expression turning serious. “No need. Remember, you’re hurt too. Take it easy and don’t give Elyse more reasons to worry.”


    Jayden’s face registered surprise as he nced at Elyse. Elyse, not anticipating Morgan’s bluntness, turned her face away in difort. She’d been treating Jayden with a frosty demeanortely, avoiding any sign of warmth. Now that her secret was out, she felt acutely uneasy.


    Morgan, finding the couple’s interaction quite entertaining, chuckled and added, “Alright, I’m off. You two sort yourselves out.”


    Elyse’s embarrassment only deepened at Morgan’s yfulment.


    Trying to blend into the background, she avoided any interaction with Jayden. After a moment’s silence, she guessed Jayden had likely returned to his work.


    Stealing a nce at him, she was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug. She gasped, feeling a rush of embarrassment as if she’d been caught red-handed. Pushing Jayden away with all her might, she eximed in a panic, “Don’t touch me!”


    Jayden nestled his head in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, and murmured, “How long are you going to stay mad at me?”


    Elyse responded with a hint of annoyance, “I’m still upset. Do you have a problem with that?”


    “Not at all. I just want us to be close again.” Jayden’s arms tightened around her.


    Elyse pinched his waist in irritation. “We stay in the same ward every single day. We’re quite close.”


    Jayden winced, releasing her reluctantly. “I want things to go back to the way they were.”


    Elyse stepped back, putting some distance between them, and said with disdain, “I’m still mad. Don’t think you can just act all pitiful and say sorry and it’ll all blow over.”


    Jayden stroked his chin, realizing this time it was truly difficult to cate her. He thought he had been doing everything right, yet Elyse remained unforgiving. How on earth could he win her forgiveness? After a moment of contemtion, Jayden decided to seek advice from Peytonter, hoping he might have some tricks up his sleeve for pacifying a mad wife.


    Elyse pointed to the desk and ordered, “Why are you standing there? Get back to work. You’re not a part of the Owen family anymore, so you need to work hard to support me and the baby!”


    Jayden considered mentioning that even without working, he could still support them, but seeing Elyse’s determined stance, he swallowed his words and returned to his desk. Elyse watched him resume his work. She picked up the grapes Driscoll had prepared earlier and started eating them nonchntly.


    Jayden, feeling her gaze, looked up at her. Elyse snapped, “My baby wants to eat, not me!”


    Jayden replied, “I didn’t even say anything!”


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