?<strong>Chapter 836:</strong>


    Aarya, seething and outmaneuvered, scanned the room, plotting her next move. “Just wait, Elyse. I’ll make you regret this.”


    Ignoring her, Elyse turned her attention to the waiter cing pizza on the table. She sat down and began eating, dismissing Aarya entirely.


    Fifteen minutes after Aarya’s outburst, Jayden walked into the restaurant with an easy stride. Elyse’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him, a mix of emotions fluttering through her as she quickly looked away.


    Jayden slid into the seat beside Aarya, his eyes catching the marks on her neck. He paused momentarily, then acted as if everything was normal.


    Pouring himself a ss of water, he took a hearty sip before smiling at Aarya. “What’s up, babe? Did you miss me?”


    Aarya tilted her head, gesturing to her neck with a yful pout. “How can you even ask? After what you didst night, leaving me all alone this morning felt so sad.” Jayden’s eyes lingered on the hickeys, his smile widening knowingly. “Sorry about that. You know how hectic work has been with your dad loading me up. I promise, once things settle, I’ll make it up to you.”


    Her mood visibly improved, but Aarya pressed on. “You were so wildst night. I thought you were going to break me! And all that spanking… it was so embarrassing. Promise you won’t go that far again.”


    After a brief silence, Jayden nodded. “No more rough stuff next time.” His eyes briefly met Elyse’s, who was intently focusing on her pizza, trying to ignore their conversation.


    Feeling his gaze, Elyse shifted ufortably. Why was he looking at her? She was just trying to eat in peace. Aarya’s frustration was palpable. Despite Jayden’s dominance in their private encounters, his demeanor at the restaurant was noticeably subdued. While she outwardly rebuffed his roughness, inwardly she craved it. She gave his arm a gentle shake, her voice soft but yful. “Even though I said stop, I wouldn’t mind if it happened again. I love you, Jayden, and I want to make you happy, no matter what.”


    Jayden met her gaze intensely, nodding slowly. “Alright, I understand.”


    Aarya was puzzled by his cryptic response; it unsettled her. She wondered if this was simply part of hisplex nature—guarded and reserved, only truly freeing himself from his constraints in the privacy of their intimacy.


    Meanwhile, Elyse, lost in her meal, jerked in surprise as she felt an unexpected touch. ncing downwards, she discovered Jayden’s leg stealthily caressing hers beneath the table, his actions as baffling as they were bold.


    Elyse froze in ce. She felt utterly ufortable. What was Jayden thinking? After spending a night filled with passionate encounters with his current girlfriend, was he now making advances on her, his ex-wife, right in front of his girlfriend? Elyse was shaking with rage. How had she failed to see Jayden’s true nature earlier?


    Taking charge of the situation, Elyse stomped forcefully on his foot.


    Then, acting as if nothing had urred, she lowered her head and continued eating her pizza, only to hear a muffled groan from Jayden.


    He asked for it! Elyse’s heart grew even colder. She despised this type of rtionship and was unwilling to continue it. If Jayden thought he could use her as a ything, she was resolved not to let him seed.


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