Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 846

Ariel was puzzled. Cloudspire Kitchen's chocolate pudding was the best in Eldoria. Did Jayson have no taste?

Well, since she hadn't had enough of it, she promptly accepted it. "I'll take it. Thanks."

Jayson hummed in acknowledgment.

Then, silence fell again.

Ariel thought Jayson really didn't talk much.

He had suddenly gotten married, and yet he seemed so calm. Didn't he want to throw a little attitude her way?

She still wasn't quite sure what he was thinking.

Ariel rehearsed a few times in her mind how to say they could just get through this period, and if he wanted a divorce afterward, she would comply without question.

Just as she was about to speak, Jayson set a small box down on the table.

Ariel immediately recognized it as a ring box.

He looked at her. "This is the wedding ring. If you don't like it, we can get another."

She hadn't expected a ring.

Judging by his words, it seemed like he had bought it casually without much thought, hence the option to buy another.

She didn't feel she had any reason to be dissatisfied with this marriage. After all, she had benefited from it. So she didn't have much of an opinion.

Without even opening the box, she took it. "It's fine. Anything works."

Noticing she didn't intend to open it, Jayson rubbed the men's ring in his pocket.

"Okay,"

He then stood and headed to the bedroom.

Ariel let out a sigh of relief. Clutching the ring box, she headed toward her room.

Once inside, Jayson scanned the room. There were no traces of Ariel—no clothes, cosmetics, or skincare products. The vanity he had had delivered showed no signs of use.

He had heard that women liked to switch their bedding for soft pastels, so he had everything prepared. He didn't mind the colors anyway. But nothing had changed—the gray silk set remained the same.

He hesitated, left the room, then re-entered.

He wasn't mistaken. Nothing had changed. It was as if he hadn't gotten married at all.

Then, he walked past her and entered her room behind her.

Ariel opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Jayson closed the door.

She actually wanted to tell him that her clothes and belongings were all inside. However, not wanting to trouble him or risk annoying him, she entered the left room.

She hadn't showered yet.

She paced in place, wondering whether she should put on his clothes or just go over and knock on the door.

…

Meanwhile, Jayson opened the wardrobe and looked at the few clothes Ariel owned. She did have plenty of books, though.

It was clear she hadn't lived a very comfortable life these past years. Her clothes were all basic and few in number, her jewelry almost nonexistent, and her bags looked like something a student would carry.

Jayson stared at the wardrobe for a long time. His expression grew darker and darker.

How badly must the Sandersons have treated her? Was this really all she owned?

At that moment, he felt a mix of anger and heartache.