Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 855

Ariel glanced back at the man behind her. Ever since they returned from Nouburgh, they had taken some well-deserved rest.

During that time, she began to understand Jayson's inner thoughts better. Seeing things from his perspective, she realized how rare and precious honesty truly was between people.

Sometimes, the simplest things were the hardest to do.

Because once a person started caring, the things they worried about multiply. How much the other person loved them and the little details could all become sharp weapons.

Adults often hesitated and overthought, mostly out of helplessness.

"You're really good at pretending. I didn't catch anything." Ariel was grateful that Jayson had helped her grow. She knew she wasn't born to be independent or fearless. Most of the time, she lacked that courage.

Looking back, Jayson had been a great support in building her mental strength.

Jayson looked at her. "If I had been that passionate from the start, with your personality of never getting close to anyone since childhood, you'd have run away faster than anyone else."

He really did know her well.

Winning Ariel's heart was no easy task.

Ariel felt a little annoyed, but that was the truth. She had built such thick walls around herself before.

But it was that so-called business trip, or rather their honeymoon disguised as one, that made her fully open up to him.

After that road trip, when she returned to Eldoria, her whole mindset shifted. She began to focus more on their married life because, at the time, her idea of caring for someone was limited to cooking for him and depending on him.

"I gave you a black card, and you were clueless about treating yourself." Jayson flicked her lightly on the head. "I had to go pick out stuff for you every time. I bought everything you have, you know."

Ariel raised an eyebrow. She suddenly remembered something.

Without looking back, Jayson said, "I'm taking Ari to the movies. Take care of Claire."

Renee stared after them, bewildered. She had just come upstairs to check on Claire, not planning to stay and take care of her!

For those two weeks they were in Nouburgh, Renee had been running on empty, taking care of Claire day and night.

Her dark circles were so bad they practically touched her chin.

She wanted to turn to Evelyn for help, but Evelyn was away on a business trip. Betty was an option, but Renee couldn't bring herself to really call her in. She was getting older, after all.

She wanted to hire a maid but didn't trust them, worried they would be too rough. She also considered a nanny but feared Claire wouldn't bond with her.

So she toughened up and took on everything herself, becoming Jayson and Ariel's full-time babysitter.