?<strong>Chapter 828:</strong>


    Elyse’s cheeks reddened as she attempted to free herself from his grasp. Despite her efforts, his grip was unyielding, and he clung to her without budging an inch.


    Elyse steadied herself with a deep breath before attempting to loosen Jayden’s grip. His hands, however, clung to her stubbornly, unyielding. Growing increasingly frustrated and suspecting he was feigning sleep, Elyse yanked on his ear.


    Jayden’s eyes snapped open, annoyance flickering across his features. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his tone edged with irritation.


    “I need some space to sleep, and you’re smothering me,” Elyse snapped back, her patience wearing thin.


    “Such a hassle,” Jayden grumbled. Before Elyse could react, he lifted her with surprising ease, pinning her beneath him on the bed.


    Frozen in shock for a moment, Elyse’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment as she realized her predicament. She pushed against him, exasperated. “Don’t cling to me like this. We’re divorced, remember? And you’re with Aarya now.”


    At the mention of Aarya, Jayden’s expression shifted to one of serious contemtion. “Are you jealous of her?” he probed.


    Offended and cornered, Elyse responded defensively, “Jealous? Why would I be? I don’t even know her well. It’s only natural she’s with you…”


    Before she could finish, Jayden silenced her with a kiss, abrupt and demanding. When he finally let her catch her breath, he pinned her down, his voice rough. “You im you’re not jealous, yet you’re visibly upset.”


    Struggling for aeback, Elyse clenched her teeth, her mind racing for a way out of his hold.


    Ignoring her difort, Jayden drew her closer, his voice tired but firm. “I’m exhausted. Just stay here for a bit.”


    Though she resisted the idea of being close to him, her resolve wavered at the genuine weariness in his voice. Yet, the reminder of his current rtionship lingered ufortably between them.


    Despite Jayden’s behavior—his easy maniption of rtionships—Elyse knew she had to end whatever lingered between them. She needed to maintain boundaries, even if Aarya wasn’t the ideal partner.


    Yet, Elyse found herself hesitating. She couldn’t fathom her own reaction; tormented internally, she still longed for the warmth of Jayden’s embrace.


    A bitter smile curled her lips as a distressing thought hit her. Was she bing as reprehensible as the situations she despised? This notion only deepened her distress, causing her to sniffle quietly.


    Feeling her subtle shift, Jayden tightened his hold, his voice soft but steady as he patted her back. “It’s okay. I’ll handle everything. Don’t overthink it.”


    “You call this okay? How can I not overthink?” Elyse muttered, disgusted with herself for falling for such a man. Could it be that she enjoyed her own misery?


    Amid her tumultuous thoughts, Elyse eventually drifted into sleep, her mind too exhausted to continue its turmoil.


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