?<strong>Chapter 777:</strong>


    Jayden, handing back the phone, offered her a gentle smile. “Haven’t I told you? You’re my one and only. You should have faith in me, shouldn’t you?”


    Aarya, attempting to lighten the mood, yfully tugged at Jayden’s hand. “Will you stay tonight? It’s been ages since you’ve told me a bedtime story.”


    Jayden nced towards the upstairs, his smile tinged with regret. “I can’t stay tonight. Mr. Hudson has returned, and I must abide by his rules. Let’s not make him angry.”


    Aarya felt a re of annoyance at Charlie’s timing, wondering why he had toe back just then. She mused resentfully about her father, forgetting that it was he who had facilitated her return.


    After persuading Aarya to retire to her room, Jayden quickly left the house and hastened toward the garden. Elyse was sprawled beneath a delicate dusting of snow, her face pale and lips a dark, purplish hue, her eyes sealed shut as if in a peaceful eternal rest. From afar, she resembled a dead bodyid in the snow.


    Shock widened Jayden’s eyes as he rushed to lift her, cradling her body and hurrying toward the awaiting group at the gates. Clutching Elyse tightly, Jayden felt the chill of her skin against his, confirming her faint but persistent breaths. He feared she was on the brink of death.


    In the car, Jayden held Elyse close andmanded the driver, “Increase the heat immediately, and head straight to the hospital.”


    The driver elerated, turning up the heat as they left the Hudson Estate swiftly. Jayden removed Elyse’s frozen coat, wrapping her in his jacket to transfer his warmth to her. As the car raced toward the hospital, thendscape outside thickened with buildings, signaling their approach. Despite the warmth, Elysey unconscious, her ordeal weighing heavily on Jayden’s heart.


    Upon arrival, Elyse was immediately taken into the hospital for urgent care. Jayden remained outside the operating room, his fists clenched, reflecting his deep concern. Later, Elyse emerged stable and ready for home recovery, reassured by the medical team’s efforts.


    Returning home, Jayden noticed numerous missed calls from Gavin and Irving on Elyse’s phone—more than forty. He returned one of the calls, and Gavin’s voice, fraught with worry, pressed for details about Elyse’s absence.


    Jayden inhaled deeply before assuring, “Elyse is with me and safe. I’ll bring her back home tomorrow.”


    Gavin’s voice came through with a hint of usation. “Do you realize you two are divorced? Why do you continue to involve yourself with her? Why can’t you just let her go?”


    Holding Elyse close, Jayden looked into her face and replied firmly, “I can’t let her go. She’s the one I’ve chosen for this lifetime, irreceable to me.”


    Gavin swore under his breath, his voice tinged with frustration. “You’repletely mad. I absolutely do not want Elyse to end up with you.”


    Jayden’s response was a quiet chuckle. “Doesn’t it seem apparent that I’ve lost my senses?”


    After that, Jayden ended the conversation abruptly. He had already reassured Gavin about Elyse’s safety and chose not to disclose more.


    When they arrived home, Jayden carried Elyse to their bedroom. Elyse was deep in sleep, her breath steady and even. Watching her, Jayden might have feared she was no longer alive had it not been for the sound of her breathing. He sat by the bed, gazing at her silently for a long stretch before sliding in beside her. He drew her close, wrapping his arm around her waist and nestling her against him.


    The warmth of her presence lulled Jayden into sleepiness. “I sleep best with you here next to me. Did you know?” he whispered softly to himself before his eyes grew heavy and sleep imed him.


    When Elyse awoke the next morning, she felt unusually heavy, as though she were ill. Attempting to rise, she realized her hand was resting on something warm. Turning slightly, she saw it was Jayden’s chest.


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