Bound Hearts: My Vows to My Disabled Spouse

Drugging

Jayden's face contorted into a sneer. "He would say that, wouldn't he? How else could he sway you, you gullible girl?"

Elyse shot back, visibly upset, "I am not gullible."

"Then why not?" Jayden retorted, giving her a skeptical look. "Are the Fosters really that

influential? Does my family actually need to depend on them? The Foster family is in decline. They need my family more than mine need them."

He gently pinched her cheek, saying, "I won't divorce you. You're decent enough, and I think you are great."

Elyse's face flushed under his scrutiny.

Jayden saw her cheeks redden and mused over her simplicity, how a few words could make her blush. "Go on, entertain yourself. I need to return to studying."

Earlier, he had come out of the study to console her after spotting her sitting in the garden, looking distressed. Now, he had to go back.

On his way, thoughts of Theo stirred a tightness in his jaw. He had previously disregarded Theo. Now, he realized Theo harbored ill intentions and even attempted to stir discord between him and Elyse. It seemed necessary to keep him occupied.

Elyse received the news that she was reinstated into the orchestra. The next morning, she left home to compete for the tour.

Upon arrival, she sensed a palpable tension in the air. This atmosphere influenced her as well. After slipping into her training attire, she took out her violin and started practicing.

"You're so lucky, Elyse. You were nearly ousted, yet here you are, able to compete in the selection. Your luck astounds me," Rebekah approached with her violin, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But < having been at home for so long, can you really pass the selection?"

"Can't I practice at home?" Elyse countered.

Rebekah scoffed, "You think practicing at home compares to our daily sessions here? Imagine the embarrassment if you fail."

Elyse fired back, "And what if you fail, Rebekah? After all your daily practice, that would be truly embarrassing, wouldn't it?"

Rebekah, puffing up with pride, declared, "I'm at my peak today. I'm certain I'll pass the selection. But you..." Her expression said it all.

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Elyse, wanting to end the conversation, responded confidently, "I'm also in good shape. Don't worry. I'll pass the selection."

Seeing Elyse's confidence, Rebekah felt a surge of resentment. She was acutely aware of Elyse's talent, which was why she viewed her as a threat from the moment she joined the orchestra. Elyse's presence could potentially hinder her future success.

Turning her head, Rebekah noticed a tumbler in Elyse's bag, a crafty gleam flickering in her eyes as an idea formed.

Elyse sat waiting for the selection process to begin, positioned among her friends in the middle of the group, her anxiety palpable.

To keep her fingers nimble, she continuously moved them.

After an hour, it was finally their turn, and the tension among the candidates spiked.

A girl offered Elyse a glass of water, asking, "Would you like some water, Elyse?"

Remembering last year's incident where a peer missed their selection due to tampered water,

Elyse had since become vigilant. She only consumed what she brought herself.

"No, thanks. I have my own," she declined, standing to retrieve her tumblr from her bag. She took

a small sip to soothe her throat. From a distance, Rebekah watched this unfold with a smug

satisfaction.

Planning your weekend reading? . The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Just as Elyse set down her tumbler, they were called to a hall.

She joined the group, but halfway there, a sharp pain struck her stomach.

Clutching her abdomen, her expression grew grave. Could someone have drugged her water? Her

performance was imminent!

She bit her lip, reassuring herself that she hadn't drunk much-just a small sip. It shouldn't be too severe. She could push through it.

Rebekah, who had been hoping Elyse would withdraw from the competition, murmured to herself upon noticing that Elyse showed no

signs of heading to the bathroom. Could the substance she slipped into Elyse's tumbler have expired? She was puzzled but knew she couldn't ask Elyse without revealing her actions. Frustration welled up inside her.

Damn it! Why wasn't Elyse affected? Had the drug not worked?

Her anxiety over whether her plan would fail caused her to lose focus on her own selection process.