Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 830 Lucas receives a wedding invitation from Jayson, which stirs deep pain and resignation within him. Despite his lingering hope that he and Ariel could reclaim their past relationship, Jayson's cold words make it clear that Lucas no longer holds any place in Ariel's life. The invitation is not a genuine welcome but a warning, meant to assert Jayson's bond with Ariel and to remind Lucas that he is no longer important to them.

Lucas struggles with the bitter reality that Ariel has moved on, and any presence he might have at the wedding would only cause discomfort and spoil her happiness. Jayson's firm stance leaves Lucas feeling rejected and isolated, reinforcing that he should stop seeing himself as Ariel's equal or part of her future. Meanwhile, Ariel arrives at her destination and shares a video of her daughter Claire with Janice, who is surprised to learn that Jayson was the one who saved the child.

Janice realizes that Jayson's actions were driven by genuine love, not selfish motives, as he went to great lengths to keep Claire alive despite the high costs. Ariel expresses deep gratitude toward Jayson for giving her hope and bringing Claire back into her life. Janice embraces Ariel warmly, confident that Ariel's future will be filled with happiness and contentment, signaling a hopeful new chapter for her. Jayson's words had a weight that needed no harshness to sting deeply. Though he spoke calmly, Lucas felt as if his heart had been ripped apart from the inside.

Sitting quietly, Lucas stared at the wedding invitation glowing on his laptop screen. The soft hum of the room seemed distant, as if the world had narrowed down to that single moment. After a few minutes, the fiery anger that had sparked in his eyes slowly dissolved, replaced by a heavy, sinking resignation. He realized, with a painful clarity, that the past he once dreamed of reclaiming was forever out of reach. Ever since he discovered that Ariel was the one who had saved him years ago, Lucas understood deep in his soul that their relationship could never return to what it once had been.

Yet, he had stubbornly clung to a faint hope, a fragile thread of possibility that things might somehow change. He had failed Ariel-whether as family or as her first love, he no longer had any claim to her life. "Did Ari ask you to send me this?" Lucas's eyes drifted to the small airplane charm resting on the table beside him-a keepsake Ariel had once crafted and gifted to him. There was a time when Lucas had passed that charm to Wendy, hoping Ariel would notice it. But eventually, he took it back, holding it close as if it could somehow bridge the distance between them.

"No," Jayson answered bluntly. "Ari hasn't thought about you in a long time. Whether you're on the guest list or not doesn't matter to her anymore. You're no longer important." He paused, then added, "Still, if you decide to come, we'll welcome you with warm hospitality." Lucas let out a bitter laugh. "Mr. Larkin, why say things you don't truly mean? You clearly don't want me there." The disdain in Jayson's voice was unmistakable. This wasn't a sincere invitation-it was a warning, a way to flaunt the bond between him and Ariel.

Lucas knew well enough that Ariel would feel uncomfortable if he appeared at the wedding. So what was the point in going? To spoil her day? To tarnish the beautiful memories she might cherish of her grand celebration with Jayson? Jayson's gaze remained steady, his face calm and unyielding. "Whether you show up or not won't change a thing. I'll make Ariel happy-with or without your approval." "Mr. Sanderson," he continued, "you should understand by now, from the past and the present-you're just you.

You don't matter that much to us." The words hit Lucas like a cold blade, freezing him in place as a sharp pain clenched his chest. Without another word, Jayson ended the call. He had said all he needed to say. His message was clear: Lucas should stop considering himself Ariel's equal. He was no longer part of her life. Lucas had once offered Ariel a helping hand in her youth, but he hadn't truly been there for her growth. - When Ariel finally arrived at her destination, Jane was busy running a few errands, her energy light and purposeful.

Ariel showed her a video clip of Claire, the little girl's smiling face lighting up the screen. Janice gasped, covering her mouth in surprise and delight. "So it was Jayson who saved your child? I was wrong to think he was cold-hearted and only after money. He couldn't have done this without a fortune behind him." Indeed, an enormous sum had been spent to keep Claire alive. Most men wouldn't have cared much if Ariel had lost the child-they could always find another woman to bear their heir. But Jayson had gone to extraordinary lengths to save Claire.

What else could have driven him to such extremes, if not love? It was that very love that made him protect the child, even without knowing Ariel's condition would one day take away her ability to conceive again. Jayson had given Ariel hope, making it possible for them to find their way back to each other. Even Janice could see how much Jayson had done for Ariel. It felt as though fate itself was weaving their lives together once more. Ariel's fingers traced the outline of Claire's face on her phone screen, her eyes soft with emotion.

"That's why I'm truly grateful to him." Find the newest release on Find~Novel.net Jayson had helped her rediscover hope. He had miraculously brought Claire back into her life. Janice pulled Ariel into a warm embrace, pressing her cheek gently against hers. "Ari, I'm sure from now on, you'll live a happy, contented life." The chapter delicately explores the painful distance that has grown between Lucas and Ariel, underscoring the irrevocable changes time and choices have wrought on their relationship.

Lucas's quiet resignation and Jayson's firm words serve as a poignant reminder that some bonds, no matter how deeply felt, cannot always be reclaimed. The emotional weight carried by Lucas is palpable, reflecting the sorrow of unfulfilled hopes and the acceptance of a new reality where he no longer holds a place in Ariel's life. In contrast, Ariel's story unfolds with a tender sense of renewal and gratitude, as Jayson's unwavering support and love offer her a chance to embrace hope and healing.

Lucas's internal struggle raises questions about whether he will accept the painful reality or find a way to confront the barriers that Jayson has firmly placed between them. His bitterness and resignation hint at a potential crossroads, where old wounds might either fester or begin to heal in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Ariel's journey takes on a new dimension as the true extent of Jayson's devotion becomes clearer, casting light on the complex bond that ties them together.