?<strong>Chapter 642:</strong>


    Jayden’s fingers tightened around Elyse’s chin, his grip forcing her to wince. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled against the pain, staring into his deep eyes.


    “Elyse,” his voice was cold and menacing. “But I think this is thriving, exceptional, even. Don’t you dare think about leaving me.”


    Elyse’s lip curled in disgust. “You call this control thriving? Have we ever been equal, Jayden? Or am I not worthy of speaking to you as an equal?”


    Confusion flickered across Jayden’s face. “What are you talking about? I’ve never belittled you.” He released her suddenly, sighing deeply. “Okay, okay. Maybe I didn’t exin myself properly after our fight yesterday. Let me shower. I’lle out and exin everything.”


    Elyse remained silent, her eyes downcast, lips tightly set.


    As Jayden started undressing, his voice echoed through the room again. “Later, we can look at houses you might like. Just point them out, and I’ll get one for you. Then you’ll finally have a ce to call your own.”


    Turning to face Elyse, he saw tears still streaming down her cheeks. He moved close, wiping them gently, his tone softening. “I promise to fulfill every desire you have. Just don’t think about leaving, okay?”


    Exhausted, Elyse avoided his gaze. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”


    “I’ll join you after I shower,” Jayden said, heading towards the bathroom.


    Elyse trudged to the bed, copsing beneath the weight of fatigue. Almost instantly, she drifted into a deep sleep.


    When Jayden came out from the shower, he found Elyse already asleep. Later that afternoon, Elyse woke up and headed downstairs.


    Driscoll greeted her with a warm smile. “I’ll have the chef prepare something for you. Also, take a look at these.” He handed her a thick stack of brochures.


    Curiously, Elyse asked, “What are these?”


    “Properties that match all your criteria,” Driscoll exined. “Prime investment opportunities in desirable locations.”


    Elyse chuckled softly, a hint of irony in her voice. “Does he really think I’m in need of a house?”


    She flipped through the pages absentmindedly and set the brochures aside. “I don’t need any of these. You can put them away.”


    Driscoll looked puzzled. “But why?”


    Elyse sighed, her voice weary. “Just let Jayden know I’m not interested in the houses.”


    Driscoll was taken aback but obliged, tucking the brochures away and excusing himself.


    Finishing her meal in silence, Elyse retreated to her room. Retrieving her phone, she dialed Pearce’s number and made arrangements to meet him.


    After he confirmed they could meet, she swiftly changed and set out.


    At their meeting spot, Pearce was already waiting. Sitting across from him, she cut straight to the chase. “I want a divorce.”


    Pearce’s smile hardened. “You’ve finally seen the light! Leaving that piece of shit was the best decision you could make!”


    Elyse frowned. “It’s not what you think.”


    “It doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re leaving Jayden,” Pearce said with evident satisfaction. Jayden had never been his favorite person, and Elyse’s marriage to him had always troubled Pearce.


    “I’ll have mywyer draw up the papers. I assure you, he will have topensate you handsomely,” Pearce insisted eagerly.


    Elyse shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want anything from him.”


    She had lived at Jayden’s ce for a long time, grateful for the time she’d been allowed to stay. Pearce’s jaw tightened in frustration.


    “Elyse, this isn’t about him. You deserve what’s rightfully yours. Don’t be too considerate towards him when ites to divorce.”


    Elyse’s wry smile revealed her true intentions. She wasn’t being considerate; she simply had no need for material possessions.


    Pearce’s excitement mounted, and he swiftly reached for his phone to contact hiswyer and initiate the divorce proceedings.


    She hadn’t yet confided in Pearce about her lingering doubts. Was leaving truly the right choice? Despite the issues, she still loved Jayden deeply, but the gap between them seemed insurmountable, and Jayden remained oblivious to his faults.


    After a long silence, Elyse finally spoke, her voice hesitant. “Maybe it’s best if we… take some time apart.”


    At that moment, Jayden entered the room, his presencemanding. “Is it because of him that you want a divorce from me?”


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