Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 838

It was obvious that Jayson was frustrated but also indulgent. That mix of irritation and fondness belonged to someone young and full of pride.

The video cut to another scene.

Jayson was recording himself again, but this time he looked angry. His brows were tightly furrowed.

"All my effort is wasted. I flew all the way from Merinia to attend your graduation and give you flowers, and you thought Lucas sent them. He's still out of town! And you actually handed the flowers to your classmates without even looking at the card?"

No one had ever seen this side of Jayson before. Everyone was stunned, almost unable to process what they were watching.

Matt honestly thought he was seeing ghosts in broad daylight.

The footage changed again. It was another self-recorded clip.

"September 27th. You had a huge fight with your dad at the hospital because the Sandersons' illegitimate daughter stirred things up. Your mom got so upset that she passed away, and you just sat there crying. Ariel, you're too stubborn for your own good. Why hold it in when people treat you unfairly?

"You should've just slapped them both across the face and seen how they liked it. Whatever, I'll avenge you. Getting the Sandersons to lose a few projects isn't that hard."

The video continued.

"I just happened to be at your university for a guest lecture. Totally by coincidence. You sat in the fifth row and fell asleep as soon as you arrived. I was up on stage talking so much, and you weren't paying attention.

"And the moment you woke up, some guy started chatting you up. You just started college, and you're already thinking about dating? You should be focusing on your studies. By the way, you really need to work on your taste."

As the audience listened to Jayson's recorded monologue, laughter rippled through the hall.

"Today was Grandpa's retirement party. We met again. You gave him that perfect fake smile of yours. He was really pleased with you, and so was I.

"Turns out you're also studying aerospace engineering. Anyway, I've got so many scholarships I can't even count and a bit of savings. Donating an aerospace lab to your school wouldn't be a problem.

"Matt said today that you're beautiful. I wanted to gouge his eyes out. But, well, he's not wrong."

Matt, who had been laughing at the videos up to this point, suddenly froze.

He was completely done. Jayson was really good at acting.

Back then, Jayson was clearly smiling at him, but was he actually thinking about gouging his eyes out?

The video rolled on.

"The Sandersons got to you again and made you cry. I was standing right there. Couldn't you, just once, act on impulse or out of revenge? Cling to me and ask me to marry you so I could help you get back at them. But no, you're too slow. You don't even know how to use people.

"Ariel, I don't think you're ever going to fall for me, are you?"