?<strong>Chapter 640:</strong>


    The evening unfolded in a local bar, where Jayden, already nursing his second drink, awaited Peyton. Despite the setting being casual, the atmosphere was anything but rxed. Peyton, no longer confined by his cast but still using a wheelchair, wheeled into the bar with caution.


    Peyton approached Jayden and took a seat next to him, grabbing a bottle and cracking it open. “Why the sudden call? Missingpany? You have Elyse, don’t you? Why drag us out?” he asked with a smile.


    Jayden ignored the question and inquired instead, “Where’s Clive? When’s he showing up?”


    Peyton took a hearty gulp from his bottle. “Caught up in ast-minute meeting, but he’ll swing byter,” he replied, pausing as he caught the troubled expression on Jayden’s face.


    He leaned in, concern evident. “Everything alright, buddy? You and Elyse haven’t been at it again, have you? It’s none of my business, but she’s still on the mend. You guys shouldn’t be fighting.”


    Jayden’s expression darkened, his brows knitting together. “It wasn’t me who started it. Elyse is the one stirring things up. No matter what I do, it’s never good enough for her. She’s always dissatisfied.”


    Peyton, sipping his drink, threw a half-teasing, half-seriousment back. “Maybe you’re just not doing enough, huh?”


    It was hard for Jayden to tell if Peyton was joking or not. “Are you even hearing me? It doesn’t matter what I do; she’s never pleased.”


    “Then hear me out,” Peyton said, giving Jayden a look. “Elyse’s hardly the type to be ungrateful. If she says you’re not cutting it, then you’re probably not.”


    Jayden’s expression darkened further, his voice edged with frustration. “Whose side are you on? Mine or hers? How can you even agree with her?”


    Peyton chuckled lightly. “Hey, I’m on your side—really, I am. You might think you’re doing enough and that Elyse should be happy with what she’s getting, but maybe it’s not actually what she needs. Perhaps you’re missing what she’s truly after.”


    Jayden went quiet, his features tightening. Peyton continued, a hint of seriousness under his casual tone. “Plus, we all know how much Elyse has put up with for you. She stood by you even when you pretended to be disabled, lost a child amid all the family chaos.”


    Jayden took a slow sip of his drink, his response muted.


    Peyton finished his beer quickly and then asked nonchntly, “So, what did Elyse say you failed to do this time? And why can’t you do it?”


    “Just about my past,” Jayden muttered, letting out a weary sigh.


    An understanding “Oh” escaped Peyton as he nodded, piecing things together. “Really, is it necessary to keep bringing up my past in a rtionship?” Jayden argued, his tone challenging. “Why not focus on the future and leave the past behind?”


    Peyton responded thoughtfully, “Your idea seems sensible at first nce, but dig a little deeper, and it starts to look a bit questionable.”


    Jayden raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re a surgeon? You sound more like a therapist.”


    Peyton retorted with a smirk, “Isn’t it expected for a doctor to have a broad range of knowledge?” He cracked open another beer and took a deep gulp.


    “People should look to the future. Perhaps Elyse feels she can’t connect with you emotionally, and that’s why she’s so intrigued by your past.”


    Jayden’s gaze hardened. “Why do you have the impression that you’re here as Elyse’s advocate, trying to coax things out of me for her?”


    Peytonughed lightly. “I’m here for your own good, buddy. I get why you’re hesitant to open up. Your past is pretty grim, and you’re afraid of Elyse finding out.”


    He paused, looking intently at Jayden. “You need to trust that Elyse is the kind of woman who would stick by you, not ditch you over some minor issue.”


    Jayden remained silent for a while, then spoke, “Do you really think Elyse would stay if she knew everything? I’m not convinced. She’d bolt if she discovered my whole story.”


    Peyton cut in sharply. “It’s not that you fear Elyse won’t believe you; youck belief in yourself.”


    Jayden frowned. “Why wouldn’t I believe in myself?”


    “Don’t get too caught up in hiding the past,” Peyton shrugged nonchntly. “I’ve been in the dating game for a while now, encountering many women, some with traits simr to yours.”


    “Screw off,” Jayden snapped. “You’re the one behaving like a woman!”


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