Time passed quickly and two weeks went by in a flash.Rosalie had been having psychological problems and was cooperating with the doctors in her treatment. She wasn’t on medication. Her first doctor had wanted to prescribe her medicine, but she sought a second opinion with another doctor.Her condition wasn’t so severe as to warrant medication. Medication for psychological issues often had strong side effects. She found doctors whose first resort was to just prescribe medicine without regard for anything else quacks.Thankfully, she found herself another female doctor whom she thought was much better. Instead of prescribing her medicine, the female doctor counseled her and told her that her condition wasn’t so severe that it required medication. She was suffering from mild depression and anxiety which was not that severe.Back at home, Rosalie had Justin’s company, which served as emotional support that made her feel much better.“Rose, I’ve changed the baby’s diaper and fed him
The private investigator explained his plan. After hearing it, a light bulb lit up in Rosalie’s mind.“That’s a novel idea, but I’m just not sure if it’ll work.”“Whether it will or not, we should try it out first. But we must first contact the author and see if she agrees to it.”Rosalie pondered for a moment. “How about this? Text me the name of the novel and I’ll check it out.”During dinner, Rosalie kept hemming and hawing, as if she had something to say to Justin but felt embarrassed about it.Justin could sense something wrong with her and asked, “What’s the matter? Do you have something to tell me?”Rosalie pondered for a moment before saying, “I do have something to tell you, but I’m rather embarrassed to say it.”Justin put his fork down, the look on his face turning solemn. “It’s fine, just speak your mind. If you want me to leave, I’ll go right now…”“I’m not asking you to leave,” Rosalie hurriedly clarified, for fear that he might misunderstand. “I wanted to ask if
The novel was too long and Rosalie was unable to finish reading everything that night. She only managed to zoom past a few hundreds of thousands of words.She was reading pretty quickly. The author’s writing was simple and easy to read, without much complexity in the prose. Despite that, she only managed to read slightly less than half of the total word count.She inserted a bookmark and flipped to the final page.She realized that Angie left a comment on the final chapter too, in which she gave the author a thorough scolding.A normal reader would post comments targeting the plot, but Angie kept targeting the author and even banded together with a few other readers to insult the author.After reading through Angie’s comments, Rosalie had a rough idea of the kind of person Angie was. Rosalie yawned, exhausted beyond belief. She could hardly keep her eyes open. She was about to put her phone down when she heard her baby’s cries from next door.Rosalie immediately got out of bed
“Thank you,” Rosalie said as she received the bottle of tea. She in turn handed the author a little gift box. “This is a small token for you. Please accept it.”“A small gift for me?” the author said happily as she received the gift. “Thank you, you’re so nice. Let me treat you to lunch.”She was very glad to meet a fan here.“Let me treat you instead,” Rosalie offered.“How could I let you do that?” the author said. “Let me give you a treat. Don’t stand on ceremony with me. I’m very thankful for your support for my novel.”“You write very well and I couldn’t stop reading the novel.”“I want to hear your assessment of it,” the author said. “What do you think of it? Give me your honest opinion.”As long as it wasn’t a malicious insult that wasn’t constructive, she could accept any objective comment that came her way.Rosalie thought about it for a while before saying, “Very dramatized and frustrating, but the story is written very immersively and I got so worked up so many time
“Just look at them. They only have those few things to say, such as me having a mental problem, being indecent, promiscuous, and fooling around with men like the female lead. They insist that the characters in the novel are a reflection of the author. What a joke.”The author chuckled as she went on, “I’m single and I don’t care about men at all. I’ve been traveling around the world. How would I have time to fool around with men? Based on their logic, authors who write ghost stories are ghosts themselves, and those who write murder mysteries and criminals too? How stupid of them.”“Yeah,” Rosalie said. “Novels are all fictional and made-up. Authors write stories based on what they see and hear with a dash of imagination, which may not necessarily represent the authors themselves. These comments, on the other hand, are a true reflection of their character.”“Well said,” the author said, pulling out her phone to make a note of Rosalie’s words. “I want to include your words in my novel
Rosalie treated the author to lunch.The author had wanted to treat Rosalie to a meal, but Rosalie insisted on expressing her gratitude and the author didn’t reject her. Justin and Steve joined them for lunch, too.Justin was tall and handsome, and the author’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “My my! You look just like the male lead of my story.”Justin smiled awkwardly. “You’re too kind.”“Oh, come on! You’ll be the inspiration for my next male lead. He’ll have the same family name, the female lead will take Rosalie’s family name and the both of them will have a cute baby together.”It was now Rosalie’s turn to feel awkward. She and Justin exchanged glances.Steve suddenly laughed in Justin’s arms and cooed, “Dada, Mama.”It now became impossible for Justin and Rosalie to clarify the true status of their relationship.-Justin drove Rosalie back home. Steve sat in the car seat at the back while Rosalie sat in the front passenger seat.Awkwardness filled the air between Justin
Half an hour later, after all the dishes were served, Laila wolfed all the food down, looking as though she had been starved for a long time.Rosalie and Justin sat opposite her, with Steve in Justin’s arms.Rosalie stared coldly at Laila until she finished all the food and burped loudly.“Now that you’re done, tell me about my biological parents.”“At least give me some living allowance.”Laila didn’t have a single cent on her and she had to worry about her next meal after this. It would be foolish of her to miss this chance to fleece some money from Rosalie.“Take your phone out. I’ll transfer you some money,” Rosalie said.“I don’t have a phone. I sold my phone away. I need cash.”All her cards were frozen and she couldn’t receive online payments, only cash.“I don’t have cash with me.”“I don’t care. Give me cash or I’ll keep silent.”Laila was at the end of her tether. She couldn’t be bothered with anything else except for getting her hands on some money right now.Ros
Rosalie’s hands shifted up from her thighs to the hem of her shirt, which she gripped tightly. “What orphanage?”“The one in Joulon District, what was the name? I don’t remember.”“How could you not remember? Hurry and tell me the name!” Rosalie’s tone was fierce, betraying her agitation.Justin held her hand immediately and looked comfortingly at her. Rosalie calmed down and took a deep breath.Laila was immensely frightened. “I really don’t remember! It’s been so many years. I wasn’t the one who adopted you, why would I remember the name? I just know that the orphanage was in Joulon District. Also, you were wearing a bracelet that looked quite valuable when they adopted you.”“Where’s that bracelet? Where is it?” Rosalie immediately asked.“Your parents hid it.”“Where did they hide it?” Rosalie asked.“How would I know?!” Laila exclaimed.Rosalie yelled furiously, “Lies! Did you sell the bracelet to pay off your gambling debt?!”Laila had the cheek to take her parents’ com
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