Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 845 Ariel felt confused when Jayson dismissed the famous Cloudspire Kitchen chocolate pudding, something everyone in Eldoria praised. Despite this, she accepted his offer to share it without hesitation. The atmosphere between them was quiet and tense, with Jayson speaking very little and showing no visible excitement or emotion despite their recent marriage. Ariel wondered what was going on in his mind and mentally prepared herself to endure any awkwardness, even considering the possibility of divorce later on if needed.

Unexpectedly, Jayson placed a small ring box on the table, casually mentioning it was the wedding ring and offering to exchange it if Ariel didn't like it. Ariel, not particularly attached to the ring or the marriage, accepted it without opening the box. Jayson then quietly retreated to the bedroom, leaving Ariel feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty as she clutched the ring box and went to her own room. Jayson inspected Ariel's room and noticed it was untouched, with no signs that she had settled in or made it her own.

The gray silk sheets remained unchanged despite his efforts to prepare the space with soft pastel colors. When Ariel appeared, he coldly instructed her to move back into the left room, which confused her since it was bigger and had better views. Jayson chose to stay in the right room, and without much explanation, he closed the door firmly behind her, signaling a clear emotional distance between them. Ariel, unsettled by the situation and not wanting to cause conflict, moved into the left room despite not having unpacked or even showered yet.

Meanwhile, Jayson examined her sparse wardrobe and simple belongings, realizing she had lived a difficult life with very few possessions. This discovery stirred a powerful mix of anger and heartbreak within him as he contemplated how badly Ariel must have been treated by the Sandersons. Ariel felt a flicker of confusion. Everyone in Eldoria agreed that Cloudspire Kitchen made the finest chocolate pudding around. How could Jayson not appreciate that? Did he truly have no taste at all? Still, since she hadn't quite indulged enough herself, she accepted his offer without hesitation.

"I'll take it. Thanks," she said softly. Jayson gave a brief hum in response, acknowledging her words. Then, the quiet settled back over them like a thick blanket. Ariel couldn't help but notice how little Jayson spoke. He had just gotten married, yet there was no trace of excitement or tension in his demeanor. No sharp remarks, no playful teasing. Did he not want to throw a little attitude her way, even just a bit? She found herself unsure of what exactly was going on in his mind. In her head, Ariel rehearsed various ways to say that they could simply endure this awkward phase together.

If, after some time, he still wanted a divorce, she would accept it without resistance. She was determined to keep things as smooth as possible. Just as she was about to voice her thoughts, Jayson placed a small box on the table in front of her. Ariel instantly recognized it-an unmistakable ring box. He looked up at her and said, "This is the wedding ring. If you don't like it, we can pick out another one." She hadn't expected a ring at all. His casual tone suggested he had bought it without much fuss, and the offer to replace it seemed almost indifferent.

ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ findnovel.net Ariel didn't feel she had any real reason to be unhappy with this marriage. After all, she had gained from it in some ways. So, she didn't feel strongly about the ring either way. Without bothering to open the box, she took it from the table. "It's fine. Anything works." Seeing that she didn't intend to even look inside, Jayson slipped the men's ring back into his pocket and rubbed it absentmindedly. "Alright," he said quietly. Then, without another word, he stood up and headed toward the bedroom.

Ariel exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and uncertainty washing over her. Clutching the ring box tightly, she made her way to her own room. Once inside, Jayson's eyes swept over the space. There was no sign that Ariel had been there-no clothing scattered, no makeup or skincare products left out. The vanity he had arranged to be delivered looked untouched, as if it had just arrived. He had heard that women often preferred soft pastel colors for their bedding, so he had prepared everything accordingly. He didn't mind the hues himself.

Yet, nothing had changed-the gray silk sheets remained as they always had. He hesitated, stepping out briefly before coming back in. No, he wasn't mistaken. The room was exactly as it had been before the wedding. It was almost as if the marriage had never happened at all. Just then, Ariel appeared from the room opposite. Jayson's brow twitched in confusion. "What are you doing there?" Ariel wasn't sure what he meant, but she knew this was his territory. "I can't stay in this room either? Should I move somewhere else?" He regarded her silently for a few seconds.

"Move back into the left room." His voice was colder than usual. Ariel sensed a flicker of emotion beneath his calm exterior-though maybe it was just her imagination. Out of politeness, she asked, "And what about you?" Jayson was momentarily at a loss for words. Her expression was serious, unwavering. After a brief pause, he finally said, "I'll stay in the right room." Ariel's confusion deepened. "But the left room is bigger, and it has better views. Why would you want to switch?" Jayson avoided answering directly.

He understood that Ariel wasn't used to this new arrangement yet, so he wanted to take things slowly. He motioned for her to enter the room. "Don't worry about it." Then, without another word, he passed her and stepped into her room behind her. Ariel opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get a word out, Jayson closed the door firmly. She had wanted to tell him that all her clothes and belongings were inside that room. But not wanting to cause trouble or risk irritating him, she quietly stepped into the left room instead. She hadn't even showered yet.

She paced back and forth, debating whether she should put on some of his clothes or simply walk over and knock on the door. Meanwhile, Jayson opened the wardrobe and examined the few articles of clothing Ariel owned. She did have quite a collection of books, though. It was clear she hadn't enjoyed a comfortable life in recent years. Her clothes were simple and sparse, her jewelry nearly nonexistent, and her bags looked like those a student might carry. Jayson stared at the wardrobe for a long moment, his expression gradually darkening. How badly must the Sandersons have treated her?

Was this truly all she had? In that instant, a storm of anger and heartbreak welled up inside him. The quiet tension between Ariel and Jayson lingers like an unspoken barrier, each trying to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of their new relationship. Ariel's tentative acceptance of the ring and the marriage itself reflects her cautious hope, while Jayson's reserved demeanor and subtle gestures hint at deeper emotions he struggles to express. Their shared silence holds a fragile promise-that despite the awkwardness and uncertainty, they are both willing to endure this uneasy beginning together.

Beneath the surface, the chapter reveals the weight of past hardships and unvoiced pain, especially as Jayson contemplates Ariel's sparse belongings and the life she has endured. This moment of silent understanding and restrained emotion sets the stage for a slow, tentative connection, where empathy and vulnerability might eventually bridge the distance between them. For now, they remain two souls cautiously feeling their way toward something neither fully comprehends but both sense is significant.

Jayson's growing awareness of Ariel's past hardships and the stark contrast between their worlds is likely to stir intense emotions within him, challenging his initial detachment. Meanwhile, Ariel's cautious efforts to maintain peace and avoid conflict may be tested as the walls between them begin to shift. This chapter sets the stage for subtle but powerful developments, where vulnerability and frustration might collide, leaving both characters-and readers-wondering what the future holds for their tenuous bond.