Chapter 1311:

Without thinking, she reached out to brush his cheek, her fingertips almost grazing his skin. But the gesture felt too personal, too tender. She quickly pulled her hand back, clenching it in her lap.

Jayden opened his eyes slightly and asked, his voice hoarse, “Are Driscoll and the others asleep?”

Elyse nodded, her tone soft. “I told them to rest. Do you want me to make you something?”

He shook his head, closing his eyes again. “No, thanks. It’s nearly midnight anyway.” After a pause, he tilted his head toward her. “Why aren’t you asleep? You must be tired.”

Her gaze softened as she replied, “I’m not as tired as you are.”

For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Then, she spoke, her voice quieter now. “Is something bothering you? Is it about your family?”

Jayden paused, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he chuckled unexpectedly and said, “Normally, I wouldn’t share this kind of thing with you.”

Elyse rolled her eyes, letting out a short snort. “Fine. Keep it to yourself, then. It’s not like I’m dying to know.”

He shook his head, his smile fading slightly. “No, this time I want to tell you. Maybe when you hear it, you won’t think I’m so closed off.”

Elyse arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by his sudden shift in demeanor.

Jayden leaned back, his tone growing more serious. “I was raised by my grandpa. He made it clear from the start—my life, my very existence…”

“Should be devoted to the Owen family. That’s how I’ve lived ever since I can remember.”

He hesitated before continuing, his voice heavy with bitterness. “And it wasn’t just me. Everyone in the family was drilled with the same message: sacrifice everything for the family; put its needs above our own.”

Elyse frowned, her displeasure evident in her voice as she responded, “So what? You’re all just tools to be used however they see fit? What about your feelings? Or are you more like robots, programmed to revolve around the Owen family without a single thought of your own?”

Jayden laughed softly, but there was no humor in the sound. “Robots? No. More like hollow shells, really. It’s like no one knows how to function outside of the family’s orbit.” His gaze dropped to the floor, and his voice grew quieter. “I used to think that way too. Until I couldn’t take my grandpa’s suffocating control anymore. The first time I stood up to him, everything in my life started falling apart.”

Elyse sat curled up on the couch, murmuring, “Your life isn’t getting worse. You’re just becoming normal.” Jayden, leaning casually against the doorway, smirked.

“How normal am I now?”

Elyse glanced away, her lips parting as she avoided his gaze. “You’re getting weirder by the second.”

Jayden chuckled softly. “Go get some rest.”

Elyse stood, brushing off his suggestion. “Later. I’ll make you something to eat first.”

Jayden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re cooking for me? What’s on the menu?” . . .