Xyla pleaded with her mother, tears streaming down her face."Mom, I'm begging you. Don't keep doing such foolish things. If Sydney is still alive, please let her go, won't you? It isn't too late to stop now, I'm begging you.""You're such a fool," Chandra scoffed, wishing Xyla was bolder. "How could you be so weak?""I'm not weak. I just don't want to be bogged down by the past. I'm begging you, let her go before things get worse. Or else, if things blow up, you'll have no escape. She isn't any ordinary person. If she dies, you'll…""Shut up!" Chandra cut her daughter off. "No one will know if you don't say anything! Don't worry, I did it flawlessly. Just tell me honestly. What exactly did you see in my room?"Upon hearing the commotion outside, Chandra woke up. When she switched the lights on, she realized that her phone screen was facing up. She then recalled that her son had come over today, and his expression wasn't right.Immediately, she became alert and went to her daught
"Mom," Christopher snarled, "if you do that, I'll never forgive you my entire life." His voice was severe, tinged with warning and resolution.Chandra's heart leaped.She hissed through gritted teeth, "Christopher Jackson! Did you forget who gave birth to you? You're my biological son whom I raised, and now you're—""Enough!" Christopher cut her off. "Are you allowed to do this just because you're my mother? Being my mother isn't an excuse to do evil! Mom, I'm serious. If she dies, I'll never want to see you ever again in my whole life. I'll hate you forever! You've already lost a son. If you want to lose your other son as well, go ahead and kill Sydney and fulfill your selfish desires. I won't be the only one—Xyla won't forgive you either. I'll hate you with my entire being!"Chandra's hands shook. "Are you not even acknowledging me as your mother? How could you speak like this to me because of that bitch? If you don't want me as your mother, fine!"She hung up and threw Xy
Although Chandra was vicious with her words, she couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks."Since Charles isn't fit to be your child, so am I and so is Chris! All three of us aren't fit to be your children. We don't want to be your children, either!" Xyla yelled."You…you three…" Chandra pointed a trembling finger at Xyla. "All you ingrates, treating me like this just for the sake of an outsider, a vixen?! I sacrificed so much for this family, and this is how you're treating me?""If you murder someone for the sake of my so-called happiness, I'd rather do without such a sacrifice! I don't see this as a sacrifice, and I don't feel an ounce of happiness. All I feel is fear and pain. The fact that you're my blood-related mother has become a burden to carry my entire life. As your daughter, your sins keep me up at night."Chandra's head buzzed with anger. She sat by the bedside and lamented helplessly, "Xyla, are you really going to treat me like this?""If you're going to
Xyla couldn't let Chandra know the truth, or her mother would become even more agitated. It would make the situation with Sydney even more unsalvageable.Chandra shut her eyes slowly.Upon seeing Chandra waver, Xyla seized the chance and said, "Mom, I'll buy flight tickets right away. We'll go immediately. We can go anywhere you want, and we'll only come back when the dust settles. I'll make sure Chris handles the entire thing well and that nothing happens to you. I promise!"Mom, I'm begging you. Do this for me. Think about it—even if this blows up, you've abducted someone. We just need to pull a few strings, and nothing major will happen to you. But if Sydney dies, that will make you a murderer!""Alright, that's quite enough. Don't you think I'd know all these?""Mom, I know you do, but I was worried you wouldn't see it clearly. Mom, I'm begging you, please."Chandra remained silent for a long time before finally picking up her phone.-The pitch-black sky felt suffocating.
Sydney was unconscious for three days.When she finally woke up, she found herself in a ward. She felt as though every bone in her body was broken.Her mind was in a fuzzy mess and her eyelids felt as though they were glued shut. She couldn't open them no matter how hard she tried.A faint smell of disinfectant drifted into her nose.A soft, warm towel caressed her eyes; soon, she could open them as her vision was slowly brought to focus. She turned her head slowly and saw Christopher seated at her bedside, his eyes filled with worry.Sydney opened her mouth, wanting to say something.Christopher put the towel down and said in a small voice, "You're finally awake. I'll get you some water."He turned around and poured a glass of water for Sydney. Then, he carefully sat her up and put the glass to her lips.Sydney gulped down a few mouthfuls of water. Her throat hurt, and she started coughing. Christopher patted her back gently.Sydney's whole body was in terrible pain.Christo
"Alright," Christopher said with a nod. "Anything else you want me to tell them?"Sydney pondered for a moment before saying, "Please bring the divorce papers to Wesley and tell him that I want a divorce."Joy flashed past the depths of Christopher's eyes when he heard about the divorce, but he quickly turned solemn and asked, "Are you sure about this?"Sydney nodded. "I am. Firstly, I've been wanting to divorce him for a long time. Secondly, it's more convincing to serve him divorce papers after disappearing for a while. Just tell him that I'm with you now and I'm a willing party. If they don't believe you, I'll go back and tell them myself after I recover a few days later."Christopher was ready to give in to her in everything. Nodding again, he said, "Alright, I'll do as you say. Do you have specific requirements in the divorce agreement? Do you want to include anything about asset division?""No," Sydney said, shaking her head. "I don't want any of the Spencers' things. I
A few people were seated in the vast living room. They were Theodore, Rosalie, Wesley, and Christopher.Christopher had only asked to meet Theodore and Wesley, but Theodore contacted Rosalie, whom he felt was family.Rosalie put her child in infant care and rushed over. When she heard that this concerned Sydney, she hurried over without any hesitation.The four of them sat on the couch, the air around them slightly awkward."Pardon me," Christopher began, "Sydney needs some time alone and asked me to reach out to you.""Mr. Jackson," Theodore said coldly. "You contacted us a few days ago saying that my mother is with you and safe. Now that you're right here, I'd like to ask you: what is she doing with you? If she's with you, why does she want to erase all traces of it? Could it be that she's not with you willingly?""That's right!" Wesley added. "Why is my wife with you for no rhyme or reason? You'll have to give us a good explanation today."They knew who Christopher was, but t
"Sydney has already signed on it. Mr. Spencer, please do so too," Christopher said. Wesley couldn't believe it, but it was indeed Sydney's signature and handwriting on the divorce agreement."How could this be? How could it?!"With a loud rip, Wesley agitatedly tore the divorce papers into two.Everything seemed to be within Christopher's expectations."I don't believe a bloody word you said!" Wesley stood up in a huff. "I want to see her! If you don't let me see her, I'll turn nasty! Where is she right now? Tell me!""Dad, don't be like this," Rosalie said as she stood up. "Calm down. Let's talk things through."Wesley shoved Rosalie aside. "What is there to talk about?!" Rosalie lost her footing and fell. Thankfully, the couch was right behind her and she collapsed into it."Dad, what are you doing?!" Theodore barked. "I know you're angry, but why attack Rose? She didn't do anything wrong!"He rushed to Rosalie's side. "Rose, are you hurt?"Rosalie shook her head. "I'm f
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