Family Gathering


    With a sudden realization, the maid turned to find Elyse looking lost. Sensing her mistake, she hastened to reassure her. "Please don''t dwell on it. That''s all in the past. You''re his wife now, and he''s devoted to < you."


    Elyse bit her lip, her silence betraying her inner turmoil.


    Yet, the pink scarf in the collection room continued to prick at her heart, a constant reminder of Jayden''s past.


    Seeing Elyse''s distress, the maid hurriedly attempted to console her, "Please don''t be disheartened. The past is just that-past!"


    But the weight of the past lingered heavily in Elyse''s thoughts. Why had Theo left after a mere phone call from his past love Kaelyn? And why couldn''t Shaun muster the courage to turn down Dolores?


    Despite Jayden marrying her, doubts crept in. She knew she should focus on making their present life joyful, but the nagging voice in her mind persisted. "What if Jayden chooses his former lover, like Theo and Shaun did? What would you do then?"


    Elyse then kept telling herself that


    they were content together now and there was no need for jealousy to rear its head.


    The maid tried tofort Elyse again, but Elyse cut her off. "I''m fine. Put my motorcycle away. Let''s head out. With a forced smile, Elyse suppressed her emotions and turned to leave the


    collection room.


    Over the next two days, her mood remained sour. She kept busy, leaving early and returningte,


    purposely avoiding any encounters with Jayden.


    Though Jayden noticed her behavior, he attributed it to her anger over the confiscated motorcycle. <


    As Jayden''s grandfather''s seventieth birthday approached, Elyse adorned herself in a purple


    dress Jayden had selected and apanied him to his grandpa''s ce.


    Nestled on Nipatham Hill, encircled by rolling hills andmanding a view of the river, the house


    showcased breathtaking scenery.


    Stepping out of the car, Elyse couldn''t help but feel a twinge of insecurity. Was this house the confidence of a family with a century- long legacy? Each corner seemed steeped in history, a


    stark contrast to her previous perceptions of wealth with the Owen family.


    Noticing her apprehension, Jayden couldn''t resist teasing her. "Feeling out of your depth with my family''s wealth?"


    Caught off guard, Elyse managed an awkward smile. "Um, maybe a little."


    "You are well deserved to be part of my family," Jayden reassured her. "Let''s go."


    Jayden, ever the man of few words, calmly dispelled her self-doubt as they entered the house with the gift in tow.


    As they reached the garden, they were greeted by familiar faces.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Jayden, d you could make it!" Brook eximed, setting down his teacup and approaching them.


    "Aunt Jessie, Brook," Jayden greeted them with his usual reserve.


    Standing behind Jayden, Elyse observed a woman in a dark green dress beside Brook. Despite a few wrinkles, her beauty remained unaffected.


    She recalled seeing photos of Jayden''s family members before arriving.


    Jessie Owen, Brook''s mother, was Jayden''s aunt. Sadly, her husband had passed away many


    years ago, leaving her to raise Brook alone, ho had taken herst name.


    Brook introduced Elyse, "This is my mother. You can call her Aunt Jessie, like Jayden."


    "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Aunt Jessie," Elyse greeted with a smile.


    Jessie returned the gesture warmly. "You''re a lovely young woman. Marrying Jayden must be quite the adjustment for you," she remarked kindly


    Elyse was taken aback but quickly reassured her, "Aunt Jessie, I''m not at all unhappy. I''m actually very happy to be married to Jayden."


    Brook interjected, "Mom, I''ve told you, Jayden and Elyse love each other. Why won''t you believe


    nning your weekend reading? . The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively avable on our site. Happy reading! me? Are you trying to sow discord between them?"


    He added earnestly, "Elyse, I apologize on behalf of my mother. Please don''t dwell on it."


    "It''s fine. I''m not bothered anymore," Elyse replied, though in truth, it still weighed heavily on her


    mind. She couldn''t shake the feeling that Jessie''s remark was actually a jab at Jayden''s wheelchair-bound condition.


    ncing at Jayden, she found him expressionless. Suppressing her anger, she silently trailed after him.


    Before long, more guests arrived.


    "Elyse, meet my uncle Seth, and his wife Julie, along with their son Greg."


    Brook introduced them before calling out to Greg, "Greg, I haven''t seen you since your college."


    Greg Owen, Jayden''s cousin, joined them but made no effort to acknowledge Jayden, instead engaging in conversation with Brook.


    Meanwhile, Jayden''s uncle and aunt exchanged pleasantries with Jessie, ignoring Jaydenpletely.


    As the Owen family members exchanged smiles and greetings, Jayden remained overlooked. It seemed that while he might have once held pride of ce within the family, he was nowrgely ignored.


    Elyse couldn''t help but feel they were more like rivals than rtives.