?<strong>Chapter 1312:</strong>


    Catching the odd look on his face, Elyse hesitated before forcing a smile. “What’s wrong? Is my cooking so bad you don’t want it?”


    Jayden shook his head. “No, it’s not that. It’s just sote. I’d feel guilty making you cook.”


    After a pause, he added with a teasing smile, “Maybe I should cook for you instead?”


    Elyse let out augh tinged with exasperation. “Who in their right mind would want your cooking? If you’re hungry, go ahead and fix yourself something. I’m heading to bed.”


    She picked up her water ss and turned to leave. Before she could get far, Jayden followed her, gently grabbing her arm.


    Elyse shot him a re, her voice sharp with annoyance. “Let go!”


    Jayden’s expression turned serious. “I’ll make something to eat. Can you just stay with me?”


    Elyse paused, her expression softening. With a yful smile, she asked, “Jayden, are you starting to lean on me?”


    He sighed, meeting her gaze. “I don’t know if it’s dependence, but if it is, then yes.”


    Elyse inhaled deeply, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. The silence lingered, heavy and unbroken.


    Jayden slowly loosened his grip, a flicker of hope fading with herck of response.


    Finally, Elyse sighed, her voice soft. “Jayden, if you can sustain this—if you can work through our issues—then I might reconsider… us.”


    Jayden stood frozen, her words sinking in. His hands instinctively moved to her shoulders, his excitement bubbling over. “Are you serious? You’ll actually give me another chance?”


    Elyse’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I said I’d consider it. I didn’t say you’ve earned it yet.”


    But to Jayden, those words were enough. They were a lifeline—a chance he had waited so long for.


    Elyse pushed him away lightly, unable to bear the overly eager look on his face. “Are you going to cook or not? If not, I’m heading to bed.”


    “I am! I definitely am!” Jayden eximed, practically bouncing. “Can I make something for you too?”


    Elyse shook her head. “No, thanks. I had a big dinner.” Without pressing further, Jayden led her toward the kitchen.


    She was oddly fascinated as she leaned against the counter, watching him cook. Despite having grown up with servants who catered to his every need, Jayden moved surprisingly proficiently in the kitchen. The way he handled the ingredients with precision and confidence was unexpected.


    Curiosity got the better of her.


    “When did you learn to cook?”


    Jayden nced over his shoulder. “I don’t really remember. Maybe when I was ten?”


    Elyse blinked in surprise. “You learned to cook at ten?”


    Her mind churned. At an age when most kids were preupied with school and y, Jayden had been learning to cook. It felt off, as though there was more to the story that he wasn’t telling her.


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