Bound Hearts: My Vows to My Disabled Spouse

I Know Who Truly Cares For Me

"You're laughing at me?" Bryce's realization dawned, and he slammed his fist onto the table in fury.

Tess, equally incensed, snapped, "Elyse Lloyd, you've crossed the line. Bryce is your brother-in- law. How could you make fun of him like that?".

Elyse's smile faded as she offered a heartfelt apology, "I'm sorry, Bryce. It was wrong of me to laugh, especially today on your birthday. Can you forgive me?"

Bryce's mood lifted with her apology.

He thought to himself that Elyse, coming from a modest background, ought to show him respect. Tess, too, seemed relieved, as if Jayden had also made amends with her following Elyse's apology. "How's your work been going?" Tess inquired about Elyse's career, her tone firm like that of a strict elder.

"Everything's going smoothly," Elyse replied truthfully.

As Tess began peeling a tangerine, she questioned, "! heard you're about to embark on a national concert tour. Are you leading as the concertmaster?"

Elyse shook her head, regret in her voice. "I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not the concertmaster." This response irked Tess, who threw the tangerine peel at Elyse, exasperated. "Useless! How did you not secure the position? I thought at least in music you had some talent, that you wouldn't bring shame to our Owen family. Turns out, you're just mediocre."

Bryce smirked and taunted, "You couldn't even become the concertmaster. What makes you think you're worthy of being a part of < our family?"

Brushing off the tangerine peel, Elyse stifled her frustration. "Since when did you care about my career? Just the other day, you criticized me for pursuing a 'pointless' job that tarnished the Owen family's reputation, didn't you?"

Tess's anger intensified. "How dare you talk back! I'm going to make sure Jayden divorces you." Standing up, Elyse poured a glass of tea and handed it to Tess with a slow, deliberate gesture. "There's no need for threats. The future of my marriage to Jayden is for us to decide, not just by your word. Please, have some tea and try to relax."

This provoked Tess further, igniting a fury within her. She silently accused Elyse of lacking

manners.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

As Elyse was about to walk away after serving the tea, Bryce surreptitiously stuck out his leg to trip her, hoping to put her in her place.

Elyse, however, noticed his maneuver in time and skilfully avoided his leg, instead stepping firmly on it with considerable force.

Bryce yelped in pain.

"You did that on purpose, you bitch!" Bryce shoved Elyse aside, cradling his throbbing foot as he wailed pathetically.

Elyse blinked, feigning innocence. "Oh, Bryce, this is all a misunderstanding. I had no idea your leg was there; I certainly didn't see it."

Tess caressed Bryce's cheek, sympathetically. "And you claim it was an accident? How then is my poor boy in tears?"

Standing off to the side, Elyse expressed her dismay. "! truly didn't mean to step on Bryce's foot." Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open. As Jayden maneuvered his wheelchair inside, he caught the tail end of Elyse's explanation. Their eyes met.

Upon seeing him, Elyse's expression grew more sorrowful. She approached, took his hand with exaggerated tenderness, and gave it a playful shake.

Having made amends the day before, Jayden was particularly attuned to her feelings. In a hushed tone, he inquired, "What's wrong? Did someone upset you?"

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05s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Without hesitation, Elyse responded, "Your mother said she'd make you divorce me. I Didn't want to, but her words really hurt me."

Tess, overhearing this, felt her anger surge, her face clouding over. "So, Elyse Lloyd, you think you've got your protector now? How dare you dismiss me like that!"

Elyse's voice was calm and soft. "I've never dismissed you. You'll always be respected as my mother-in-law."

Jayden, barely suppressing a chuckle, pulled Elyse slightly to signal her to ease up on the act. She then sat down at the table.

He poured Elyse some tea, set it before her, and said lightly, "Mom, I'd appreciate it if you didn't treat my wife harshly in my absence. Unlike you guys, she holds a special place in my heart."

Tess slammed her hand on the table, her anger peaking. "So, to you, your own family ranks below an outsider? She's bewitched you, hasn't she?"

Jayden retorted, "Mom, have you forgotten our family principles? If you need a reminder, remember how you treated me after my accident when you thought I was useless?".

He continued in a slow, deliberate tone, "I know who truly cares for me."