While the two were dining, neither noticed Aurora standing about a dozen meters away, covering her mouth as she wept bitterly. Her eyes were filled with pain and fury.Behind Aurora stood a man, who leaned toward her and whispered, "See? I wasn't lying. Your Theodore has been secretly meeting his ex-wife these past three months."Aurora couldn't believe what she was seeing. Yerick had told her that while she was bedridden and recovering over the past three months, Theodore had been meeting his ex-wife in secret. She didn't want to believe Yerick, but seeing it with her own eyes struck her like a lightning bolt."What now? It looks like he's trying to win her back," Yerick said deliberately, his words like a curse in Aurora's ears. Each syllable felt especially harsh.Finally, unable to endure it any longer, Aurora stormed toward Theodore's table.Yerick made no move to stop her. Instead, he stood there with his hands in his pockets, a smug smile on his lips."Rose, earlier you said you
Theodore brought Aurora back to their residence and gently placed her on the bed. "Aurora, how are you feeling?""Theo, I'm sorry. I was wrong."Theodore was taken aback. He had expected Aurora to confront him, but instead, she apologized the moment they got back."Theo, I shouldn't have followed you. I was just… I was just too worried. I didn't expect to see you having dinner with her. I acted rashly, and for that, I'm truly sorry. Did I interrupt your meal? I shouldn't have done that."Theodore sighed deeply. "Aurora, I did have dinner with her. In fact, over the past few months, I've had dinner with her many times."Aurora bit her lip, her tears falling like raindrops. She would have preferred Theodore to lie to her, but he spoke with such blunt honesty that it hurt even more."What's going on between you two? Theo, are you planning to leave me? If I had known this would happen, I'd have rather not gone through with the surgery. I might as well have died," Aurora said.Theodore open
"What's wrong, Rose? It's been so long since we've seen each other. Can't I give you a hug?" Sebastian asked.After all, they were husband and wife. But why was she looking at him with such a distant gaze?Could her interactions with Theodore in the past three months have changed her?Sebastian was aware of what Rosalie had been doing in Melrine. She frequently had meals with Theodore. However, they did nothing beyond dining together—otherwise, Sebastian would have exploded with anger long ago.Even so, just the thought of the two of them sharing meals was enough to bother him. He had been stewing in frustration back home.However, he couldn't go to Melrine. He was currently wanted there. Theodore certainly didn't hold back."Sebastian, thank you for taking care of Steve while I was away.""There's no need for such formalities. He's my child too," Sebastian replied. "He's been crying non-stop. Let me hold him for a bit."Sebastian reached out to take the child, but Rosalie took a step
The baby, so lively when awake, became equally sleepy when tired and quickly drifted off to sleep."Rose, what do you mean by what you just said? Are you really concerned about something like blood relations? Do you think Theodore—""Sebastian, let's talk outside," Rosalie interrupted, worried they might wake the baby.Sebastian suppressed his anger. "Fine."The two left the nursery.Sebastian immediately grabbed Rosalie's hand. "Rose, what's going on with you? If there's something on your mind, tell me. We can work through it together."Rosalie pulled her hand away. "I plan to move out with the baby. I'll take care of him from now on."Sebastian froze, unable to believe what he had just heard. He stared at Rosalie in shock. "What…what did you say?"After a moment of silence, Rosalie said, "Sebastian, you've recovered now. I think it's time for me to move out.""Are you insane?" Sebastian's face darkened instantly. "Have you forgotten what you promised me? You agreed to stay with me an
"What exactly did Theodore say to you? Did you believe him?" Sebastian questioned.Rosalie suddenly chuckled. "Sebastian. Every time something happens, I always stand by your side. But how have you treated me in return?""Don't believe Theodore!" Sebastian exclaimed, rushing forward to grab her shoulders. "Whatever he said to you is a lie. He's trying to slander me! If you believe him—""I believe the evidence!" Rosalie forcefully pushed him away. "I've seen the video."Sebastian's face was filled with shock. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked audibly.Damn that Theodore—was he really that impatient? Sebastian never should have left Rosalie in Melrine, but at the time, his primary concern had been avoiding arrest by the police. He had fled in haste without thinking things through."Sebastian, why did you lie to me? Why do you always pin the blame on Theodore? And now you've given me such a big shock, revealing your true self. How could you do something like tha
Whether it was Theodore or Sebastian, Rosalie only wanted to stay far away from both. She could raise Steve on her own.As Rosalie turned to leave, Sebastian rushed forward and embraced her from behind. "Rose, don't go! Listen to me—please, just listen!""What else is there to say? The evidence is clear. There's nothing left to explain. Are you going to say you didn't do it? Are you going to claim the video is fake?" Rosalie said."Rosalie, the video is real. I did do those things, but I was desperate at that time! You have no idea how worried I was about you. I was going crazy trying to find you. I had no other choice but to go to Theodore. I thought he had imprisoned you, so I acted impulsively! Rose, I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" he begged.Sebastian turned Rosalie around to face him, his eyes filled with panic. "I know I was wrong. I really was too anxious back then. Since you've seen the video, then you must have also seen what happened after. Theodore took the gun and beat me up
For three months, Rosalie had bottled everything up, not daring to say or reveal much. Every time she spoke with Sebastian, her tone and demeanor were normal.Now that she was back, she could no longer hold it in."Rose." Sebastian wanted to say more, but Rosalie turned around and said, "Stop trying to persuade me. Stop asking me to stay. I'm begging you, Sebastian!"Sebastian clenched his fists tightly.Seeing that he didn't stop her, Rosalie turned to leave. However, after only a few steps, she suddenly heard a loud bang behind her.Her heart jolted violently. She recognized that sound—it was unmistakably a gunshot.Rosalie turned around and saw blood gushing out of Sebastian's chest. He staggered back a few steps before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.Rosalie covered her mouth, staring in shock at Sebastian lying on the ground. She was completely frozen.Sebastian struggled to extend his hand toward her. "Rose, please don't go… Don't leave.""Sebastian!" Rosalie rushed o
Rosalie fixed her gaze that was filled with exhaustion on him for a long time before finally asking, "Tell me the truth. Did you return to Blencalgo to avoid going to jail?"Sebastian knew he couldn't hide it any longer, so he could only admit it. "Yes. I was worried Theodore would report me to the police, so I returned. I didn't want to stay in Melrine. At the time, I was just impulsive—I never really intended to kill him."To Rosalie, whether Sebastian acted impulsively or genuinely intended to harm Theodore, she felt utterly drained and had no desire to continue being with him.But now, Sebastian was injured. He had shot himself in the chest as if he had no regard for his life. Rosalie felt both sorrowful and terrified.After a long silence, she asked, "Then how did you know Theodore was planning to report you to the police? You returned just in time. Who tipped you off?"Sebastian was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I bribed someone close to him, and they gave me the war
Theodore wrapped all of them up in his long arms.Under the golden sunshine, the family of four was wrapped up in each other's embraces. Sunlight shone on them, encasing them in a warm, golden glow. Everything felt calm and peaceful. The children snuggled in their parents' arms, innocent smiles lighting up their faces. They could feel the warmth of the sunshine as they found the safest and warmest haven in the entire world in their arms.In the evening sun and gentle breeze, they finally found happiness in each other's embrace.-In the deep of the night, Rosalie had a dream.Both Justin and Grandma came to her in her dream.Grandma and Justin were playing cards, surrounded by beautiful birds and flowers. They seemed to be in heaven, having the time of their lives with a look of tender love in their eyes.Grandma was very happy that she had reconciled with Theodore.Justin told Rosalie, "Rose, I'm so happy to see you happy.""Justin, do you hate me?""Silly girl, why would
Theodore made Rosalie feel like love was possible once more, and gradually opened her up.Love was ever-changing with time and the experiences they went through.Rosalie missed Justin dearly, but she also learned to treasure the people around her and every present moment of happiness. She learned how to accept the past and treasure the present amidst all her relationships.Justin would be her one and only in her heart, but Theodore also found his place in her heart amidst the unique position Justin was in.This was how their affections and love for each other grew and changed with time.Justin was dead, and Rosalie couldn't keep living in the past. She would carefully preserve her love for Justin in a corner of her heart.She would spend the rest of her life loving Theodore and their children."Chelsea," Rosalie said as she pulled Chelsea over. "Your daddy loves you very much, but he didn't get to see you come into this world. But you must remember his name. He is Justin Lynch."
Theodore and Rosalie brought both children to Justin's tomb.Before they left, Rosalie said that she and Chelsea wanted to spend some time alone with Justin.Theodore brought Jake to the car to wait for them.Golden sunlight shone on the land, feeling warm and toasty and giving the earth a beautiful glow.Rosalie caressed the tombstone. "Justin, I'm sorry for not coming to visit for such a long time."The last time she came back was a few months ago, during which she snuck a peak at his tombstone.Rosalie pulled out a bone fragment. "That's because you're always by my side, which is why I think that I can bring you everywhere I go. You're not just here at this tombstone."Justin, Theo and I have reconciled. He did so much for me, even sacrificing his own life for me. I can't just stand idly by and do nothing about it. I can't bring myself to reject him ruthlessly again and again."You can say that I'm moved, or that I fell in love with him once more. He's just too good, and I c
Jake had so much fun today and was exhausted by the time he reached home. After his shower, he crawled into bed and fell right asleep without any coaxing whatsoever. Jake would sometimes sleep in the bedroom with Chelsea, and sometimes they slept separately.At night, when Rosalie went to Chelsea's room to tuck her in and tell her a bedtime story, she asked, "Chelsea, how was your day with Theodore?""Hmm, it was alright," Chelsea said. "But Mr. Spencer was so silly, he burnt the food. I only got to eat lunch very late.""Is that so?" Rosalie burst out laughing. "How silly of him indeed.""But Mr. Spencer is quite nice," Chelsea said. "I like him. He said that I can call him Daddy."Rosalie's eyes lit up. "Do you want to call him that?""I do," Chelsea said with a nod, "but I'll do that tomorrow."Chelsea yawned. She felt tired, too.Rosalie caressed her cheek. "Goodnight, my darling. Go to sleep."-Rosalie returned to her room, took a shower, and laid on the bed. Theodo
Their parent-child bonding efforts officially began the next day.Rosalie brought Jake to the theme park. In the beginning, Jake felt rather stiff and reserved. It was his first time alone with his mom, after all.As time went by, Rosalie's earnestness, concern, and gentle patience with him slowly opened him up.They sat on the carousel, drove the bumper cars, rode on the Viking ship, zoomed down slides, bounced on the trampolines, and sailed on mini-boats. They had a whale of a time.Jake was covered with sweat, but he was so happy, he didn't want the day to end.He had grown closer to his mom, so much so that he would jump into her arms, hugging her and asking for kisses.Rosalie did not hold back from expressing her love for him and even carried him on her back as they continued exploring the park.Jake was very obedient and came down very soon, for fear that Rosalie might get tired. They moved on to the next attraction hand-in-hand.Rosalie found out one thing from Jake, wh
Some time later, Rosalie realized that Jake was being rather sullen.Each time she asked him whether something was wrong, he would brush her away, claiming that he was fine before running off.It was a Saturday, and Rosalie didn't need to go to work. She was seated on the couch with a book when Chelsea ran over, her braids swaying behind her. "Mommy, can you give me a hug?"How could Rosalie say no to her adorable little daughter? She shut the book and said, "But of course. Come on over."Rosalie opened her arms, very willing to show Chelsea affection.Chelsea crawled up onto the couch happily, sitting on Rosalie's lap and diving into her embrace.Jake happened to see it all.Rosalie noticed Jake standing a short distance away and was about to say something to him when he ran off.The smile on Rosalie's face faded as a look of worry took over.At night, Rosalie put Chelsea under Theodore's care and went to Jake, wanting to speak to him alone."Jake, what's with you recently
A gentle breeze lifted the curtains slightly in the deep of the night.Rosalie laid in Theodore's embrace, panting slightly. Her cheek leaned against his chest, feeling his heart pounding heavily, and her cheeks flushed.She never expected this day to come between her and Theodore, yet everything happened in a flash. He went to bed with her just like that, bewitched and completely infatuated with her.Although they were once husband and wife and had been intimate countless times, this felt different from the last. Things felt more intense this time around."Rose, are you happy?"Although Theodore's liver had been doing well over the last three months of recuperation, he was still worried that his fitness level might be affected before his liver was fully recovered.Rosalie gave him a slight smile. "Of course, I am. You almost crushed me."Her face flushed the moment she spoke those words. She hugged Theodore tight, feeling safe and secure.She could sense that he was telling th
"Theo, have you had a woman over the past five years?" Rosalie asked very frankly.They weren't naive young men and women but mature adults with experience in this matter.Theodore was a red-blooded young man who had his needs. Suppressing his desires, which were absolutely normal, would only jeopardize his health.Theodore was getting angry. "Am I someone like that to you, going to bed with a woman I don't love just to satisfy my physical needs?""Aren't men all like that?" Rosalie said. She didn't mean it in a scornful way but simply highlighted it as a typical observation.Lonely men and women in the city were bound to seek companionship in some places and part ways after the night.Someone as powerful and influential as Theodore wouldn't even need to go searching for someone else. Women flocked toward him like bees to honey."Why can't I be an exception?" He was in no state whatsoever to find another woman over the past five years and would always deal with his sexual desire
Time flew by, and three months later, Rosalie was fully recovered and back at work.Her colleagues welcomed her back with a bash.Everything seemed to have returned to normal.To keep Jake company, Rosalie would go back to Theodore's house every day after work. She was practically living there.Rosalie and Jake's relationship had improved over time, and they were looking more and more like they were truly mother and son.Everything was going well.At night, the four of them sat around the dining table and chatted happily with each other.After dinner, Rosalie and Theodore sat in the living room chatting. She suddenly noticed a book on the table. It looked so familiar that it caught her eye.It was the book she had written. Over the past five years, not only was she busy learning and working, but she also managed to write the book she had conceptualized and even gotten it published. However, this book was only available in Briusian and not exported to Blencalgo.Rosalie's book