?<strong>Chapter 885:</strong>


    Jayden grimaced, and once the pain subsided, he said yfully, “Darling, you just stepped on my… well, you know. Who’s going to ensure your happiness in bed if you’ve damaged it?”


    When Elyse realized what she had stepped on, her cheeks flushed with a mix of rage and mortification. She snapped, “Why are you sleeping at my doorstep?”


    Unabashed, Jayden murmured, “I feel safer when I’m close to you.”


    Elyse huffed, “Afraid I might escape, are you?”


    “No, that’s not it.” Jayden sighed, knowing any exnation would fall t with her right now. Switching topics, he asked, “You can’t sleep because you’re hungry, aren’t you? Were you headed to the kitchen for a quick bite?”


    Elyse looked at him, bewildered. “How did you know?”


    “I know you too well,” Jayden replied, getting to his feet. He took the opportunity to drape an arm around her waist, surprising her further. “Come on, I’ll show you where the good stuff is.”


    Elyse furrowed her brows. “Lead the way if you must, but keep your hands to yourself.”


    Jayden yfully threatened, “If you don’t let me hold you, I might just have to tease you until you stop pushing me away.”


    Elyse retorted sharply, “Stop it! You have a girlfriend. I’m not going to be your dirty little secret.”


    “Who said I have a girlfriend? I’ve already crossed the Hudsons. I bet there’s a warrant out for my arrest tonight,” Jayden remarked, his smile unfaltering.


    Elyse had forgotten about that. She was under the impression Jayden was involved with someone else.


    With a helpless chuckle, Jayden said, “I’ve finally shaken off that lunatic. Now I can focus on winning my true love.”


    Elyse looked at him, baffled.


    Jayden yfully squeezed her waist, “Why are you looking at me like that? You don’t believe me, do you? I’ve deceived you enough in the past. Wasn’t I just pretending when I was with Aarya?”


    Elyse retorted, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she reminded him of his previous deceit.


    Jayden shifted ufortably. He had his reasons back then, though he knew it was wrong.


    With a touch of regret, he vowed, “I’ll never lie to you again, I promise.”


    Elyse remained silent, still trying to make sense of the depth of Jayden’s past deceits.


    When they reached the kitchen, they found the servants had already retired. Jayden peered into the refrigerator, which was brimming with ingredients. He grabbed a few and offered, “How about I whip up something for us?”


    Elyse was caught off guard. She never thought of Jayden as someone who could cook. She inquired, somewhat incredulously, “You’ll cook? Really?”


    “I haven’t cooked in ages, and I’m a bit rusty. It might not be perfect,” Jayden confessed while he started to prepare the food.


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