Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 831 Ariel noticed the excitement in Janice's eyes and hugged her gently, mentioning her upcoming wedding with Jayson. Janice, however, brushed off her own wedding plans, hiding the truth that she had arranged for Wade to rescue Jayson in exchange for annulling their engagement. She intended to keep this secret from Ariel to avoid causing her pain and planned to explain the annulment as a simple personality clash once they returned to Croinia.

Janice had not seen Wade since and avoided discussing him, while occasionally encountering a restless Bradley but never pressing him for details. Back in Croinia, Ariel and Janice fully dedicated themselves to their work on a major government project involving collaboration with Bellador. Two weeks later, Ariel admired her elegant wedding dress, appreciating its delicate design and the hand-sewn pearls.

Despite the exhausting workload, Ariel pushed herself to finish quickly, motivated by the thought of returning home to Jayson and their daughter Claire, whom she connected with daily through video calls. Unexpected delays arose, including extra testing that postponed Ariel's return by a week. Finally, on the eve of her wedding, Ariel flew back to Eldoria with Janice and the team. Jayson greeted her warmly at the airport, wrapping her in a jacket against the chill and reassuring her about Claire's sleep.

Ariel noticed Janice's distant behavior toward Wade, who offered to escort Janice home, a gesture she accepted calmly. Exhausted after nearly two days of continuous work, Ariel fell asleep in the car with Jayson, who watched her with concern. The heavy burden she had carried in Bellador was evident, and Jayson's sympathy for her fatigue was clear as they headed home to prepare for the big day ahead. Ariel glanced at Janice, noticing the sparkle of wonder and anticipation shining in her eyes. Without thinking much, she hugged Janice gently, her thoughts drifting to Wade.

"Jayson and I are tying the knot next month," she said softly. "We should finish up our work here soon and head back to Croinia. Your wedding is coming up too, after all." Janice's body tensed briefly, but she quickly masked it with a smile and a casual wave. "Let's just focus on your wedding for now," she replied quietly. "Mine isn't going to happen anytime soon." She deliberately avoided telling Ariel the truth-that Jayson had been safely rescued because she had asked Wade to save him in exchange for annulling their engagement.

Janice understood that sharing this secret would only burden Ariel with feelings of sorrow and guilt, and she wanted to spare her friend from that weight. Once back in Croinia, Janice planned to announce the annulment, explaining it simply as a matter of incompatible personalities. Since their last encounter, she hadn't seen Wade, who remained in Bellador, nor had she discussed anything with him. Wade was probably steering clear of the subject, afraid Janice might regret her decision and break her promise.

Though Wade was absent, Janice occasionally bumped into Bradley, who always seemed restless, as if holding back something important. But Janice never pressed him for details. Wade hadn't come to see her, and she didn't see any reason to inquire about someone she was about to sever ties with. From then on, Ariel and Janice threw themselves completely into their work. The government had chosen the Faye Technologies team to take part in a significant collaborative project between their country and Bellador, a venture that required meticulous planning and flawless execution.

Two weeks later, the wedding dress was finally finished. Ariel studied the design sketches while watching a video clip Jayson had sent her. The gown was elegant but not ostentatious, crafted from a light fabric that allowed for graceful movement. Tiny white pearls, sewn by hand, adorned the dress, adding a delicate and captivating touch. It was truly a beautiful and refined wedding dress, and Ariel had no complaints about the arrangements. Determined to make it home in time, Ariel worked tirelessly, pushing herself to complete her tasks as quickly as possible.

The workload was exhausting and relentless, but she managed to keep going. Thankfully, Jayson made sure she could see Claire during their daily video calls. He would tease her, saying, "You better not get jealous when you come back and find Claire and me have become best friends." Ariel couldn't help but smile at the thought, admitting to herself that she might feel a little envious. That playful teasing only strengthened her resolve to finish her work and return to Croinia as soon as possible. However, as is often the case with large-scale projects, unexpected hurdles arose.

Despite her efforts to speed things along, Ariel had to spend extra time ensuring every detail was perfect. An additional round of testing delayed her return by an entire week-much longer than she had originally expected. Finally, on the night before the wedding, Ariel boarded a flight back to Eldoria, accompanied by Janice and the rest of the team. When Jayson arrived at the airport to pick her up, he wasted no time. As soon as he saw her, he walked briskly over and draped a long padded jacket over her shoulders. The nights in Eldoria had grown chilly recently, and the warmth was welcome.

Ariel let out a tired yawn. "Has Claire gone to sleep?" she asked softly. Jayson felt a pang of jealousy-her first question was about their daughter-but he understood how worn out she was. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he said, "She's asleep now, but you can still give her a goodnight kiss once we get home." Ariel returned his smile warmly, then glanced over her shoulder at Wade and Janice, who stood a short distance away. She noticed that Janice hadn't made any effort to approach Wade during the past few weeks.

Despite their busy schedules, Janice's distant behavior still struck her as unusual. "You two should get home and rest," Janice said gently. "You've got a big 'battle' tomorrow." Wade checked his watch and looked at Janice. "I'll take you home." Janice paused for a moment, then nodded with a calm expression. "Sure." Ariel felt a sense of relief knowing someone was escorting Janice home. "See you tomorrow," she said softly. After nearly two days of nonstop work, Ariel was utterly drained by the time she got into the car. She fought to keep her eyes open, but exhaustion won the battle.

Jayson adjusted the temperature inside the vehicle and glanced over at her sleeping face. A slight frown crossed his features as sympathy welled up inside him for Ariel, who had carried such a heavy burden in Bellador. This text is hosted at FindN0vel.net The chapter gently unfolds the quiet resilience and unspoken sacrifices of its characters, highlighting the delicate balance between duty and personal desires. Ariel's unwavering commitment to her work and family contrasts with Janice's guarded distance, revealing the emotional complexities beneath their composed exteriors.

The tender moments shared, like the warmth of a jacket or a whispered goodnight, underscore the deep bonds that sustain them even amid exhaustion and uncertainty. Through the subtle interplay of hope, longing, and restraint, the story captures the bittersweet nature of change and the courage it takes to face an uncertain future. Each character carries their own hidden struggles, yet they remain connected by loyalty and care.

The delicate balance of friendship, loyalty, and hidden sacrifices will be tested as the characters navigate their intertwined paths. Meanwhile, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and unspoken worries. Will Janice's carefully guarded decisions hold steady under the pressures of returning home and facing familiar faces? How will Ariel cope with the weight of exhaustion and the expectations placed upon her, especially with Jayson by her side?

The chapter ahead is poised to explore these intimate moments, revealing the quiet struggles behind the smiles and the strength required to confront the challenges looming just beyond the horizon.