When they arrived in the city hall, Geoffrey’s assistant was already waiting.Everything went smoothly, and the couple soon received their marriage certificate.Rosalie stared at the marriage certificate in her hand, her heart racing. She suddenly felt a great deal of pressure. Even though she knew it was a fake marriage and she was only helping a friend, seeing the certificate still made her think about the time she got her certificate with Theodore.Even though it was just over a year ago, it felt like decades.As they exited the city hall, the assistant said, “Mr. and Mrs. Carter, the chairman has requested for you to go home right after you received the marriage certificate so you can have a meal together.”Sebastian nodded. “Alright, I’ll take Rose back.”The assistant left. He had completed his task of witnessing the couple obtaining the certificate in person and ensuring it wasn’t a forgery.After the assistant departed, the two of them looked at each other while holding
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know. Anyway, we’ll be away for about a month. During that time, Sebastian and Rose will handle the family affairs,” Geoffrey said.For Sebastian, it was somewhat of a relief that his parents would be away for a while. “Alright, I understand. I’ll take care of the company and family affairs.”Geoffrey responded, “Good. Since your mother and I will be on vacation and there will be no one at home, you and Rose should stay here for now.”Sebastian was afraid Rosalie might feel uncomfortable staying in his parents' house, so he said, “Dad, since Rose and I are married, I plan to buy a new house. So I think…”“We’re not stopping you from buying one,” Geoffrey said. “It’s just that while your mother and I are away, you two can stay here temporarily. You can buy your own place, and after your mother and I return, you can move out. I know you don’t want to live with us.”“This...” Sebastian still wanted to refuse, but Rosalie noticed that Geoffrey seemed
The three of them arrived at a luxury goods mall. Sebastian rarely went to malls himself. Usually, the watches he wore were sent to his home by the brands for him to choose from, and his suits were tailored at his house.Meanwhile, Yvonne enjoyed going to malls. Instead of having items delivered to her home, she preferred visiting stores to select items. She enjoyed the shopping experience, and liked the hustle and bustle.“Seb, when we shop later, I’ll pay. You don’t need to buy anything for me,” Rosalie said.The items here were very expensive. If Sebastian bought them for her, it would cost a lot. Since their marriage was fake, she didn’t want him to spend too much on her.Sebastian said, “Don’t worry about it. Even though it’s a fake marriage, I don’t mind buying you some things as a token of appreciation.”“But the things here are very expensive. I don’t want you to spend too much money.”“It’s not expensive for me. Besides, if I don’t have any spending records, my dad wil
Theodore originally intended to quietly pick out a ring and leave, but now that he was blatantly provoked, he slammed the ring he was holding onto the glass counter.“So, it’s Mr. Carter. What a coincidence.”“Indeed. What a coincidence,” Sebastian replied coldly. “Mr. Spencer, who are you buying a ring for?”Obviously, it was for Cynthia.“What does it matter to you?” Theodore snapped icily.Rosalie felt uncomfortable, and gently tugged at Sebastian's sleeve. “I’m going to the restroom.”Sebastian was worried, so he said, “I’ll go with you.” With that, he escorted Rosalie away.Yvonne stood there, bewildered, still holding a ring in her hand. What was going on?She approached Theodore, and asked, “Mr. Handsome, do you know my brother?”“Your brother?” Theodore asked. “He’s your brother?”Yvonne nodded. “Yes. What’s your relationship with him?”“Since he’s your brother, didn’t he tell you who I am?”Yvonne shook her head. “No. It’s my first time meeting you, but you look a
Theodore’s face turned cold. He barged in without Rosalie’s permission, and slammed the door shut.“What are you doing?” Rosalie demanded with furrowed brows. “I haven’t agreed to let you in!”“I’ve just entered. What can you do about it?” Theodore looked every bit like an unreasonable bastard, bent on having his way. Rosalie tried to hold her anger back. “What do you want?”“How many times have you called me a bastard behind my back to others?” Rosalie’s brows remained tightly knitted. “I don’t know what you’re saying!” She had never spoken ill of him behind his back.“Didn’t you? Then why does Sebastian’s sister keep calling me a bastard? Isn’t it because you keep doing so in front of her?”Anger boiled in Rosalie’s chest, and she yelled, “Why would I know why she called you a bastard? Whatever it is, I’m not the cause! Get out, I don’t want to see you!”Theodore’s rage grew when Rosalie chased him out of her house. He came here with the intention of interrogating her for
Theodore’s words sent Rosalie spiraling in shock. She stared at him wide-eyed, as if time had come to a stand-still.Very soon, she snapped out of her daze. A strong sense of irony took over.“Theodore Spencer. Do you mean to say that everything that has happened has nothing to do with you and Cynthia, but it’s all because you thought I don’t love you? That you let me go as an act of compassion, so I could be happy? Is that it?”Her words sounded laughable even to herself, but it seemed to be exactly what Theodore meant.Theodore suddenly leaned in closer, his voice hoarse with sorrow. “If I say yes, can you tell me if you ever loved me?”Rosalie laughed bitterly. “We’re coming back full circle once more. You asked me if I ever loved you, but does that change anything? If I say that I never loved you, will you just blame everything on me? If I say that I do, will you cut things off with Cynthia?”“I can!” Theodore proclaimed loudly and resolutely.Rosalie’s world turned quiet. E
Rosalie scoffed. “In that case, why did you come looking for me? Who are you trying to show care for? Aren’t you afraid that she’ll roll over in her grave?”As always, Cynthia was always coming in between them.Bitter pain billowed in Theodore’s eyes as he stared at the woman before him. He remained silent, but his eyes spoke of an intense mix of complicated emotions.“Didn’t you make me choose?” Theodore pinched her chin, and went on, “I’m making myself clear now. I choose you. As for Cynthia, you don’t need to care about her. I’ll bear all the consequences, because everything's my fault!”Rosalie shut her eyes in pain. “Theo, it’s too late. Making your choice now…it’s all too late!”Sorrow spread from her heart to her head, and she couldn’t help but sob bitterly. “Don’t cry.”Seeing her bursting into tears made Theodore anxious. He hurriedly wiped her tears away, but they kept flowing.“Why would it be too late? Are you still angry over what I said before? I didn’t mean them
Rosalie had never seen Theodore in such a crazed state. He was like a madman in a state of delirium, yet the emotions in his eyes looked so raw and genuine.“I don’t understand, I really don’t. Why are you doing this? You think I don’t love you, but have you loved me over these ten years? Have you ever…” “I love you!” Theodore yelled at the top of his voice. Hot, scalding tears trickled down his cheeks. He dragged Rosalie into his arms, wishing he could fold her into his body and become one with her.“How could I not? I never wanted to treat you like a sister! I didn’t mean that one bit! You’re my wife. Why wouldn’t I love my wife?”He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her body and smelling the comforting scent of her hair. He loved her smell, and hadn’t hugged her or been so close to her since they were divorced.He wanted to hug her like this till the end of time. He really missed her, so much that he almost went mad.That was why he came looking for her.He couldn’t
The two of them sat around the dining table, eating dinner as they chatted.Theodore looked disinterested as he chatted with Aurora. She could sense that as well, so she went silent and didn't bother him much.After dinner, he told her to do whatever she pleased before returning to his room. He never came out and Aurora wondered what he was doing inside.Aurora hovered outside Theodore's room, pacing back and forth many times. She wanted to knock on the door and talk to him, but she stopped herself many times for fear that he might be annoyed with her.Yerick said that he could make her get pregnant with Theodore's child.Although she managed to move to Theodore's place, he wasn't passionate with her at all, unlike in the past. He would never touch her.Aurora put her hand gently on the door as she whispered, "Theo, I'll do anything for you. I really love you."In the deep of the night, Theodore tossed and turned on the bed, unable to fall asleep.He pulled out a drawer and ret
Theodore sighed. "Rest and recuperate well. I'll send someone to find your ex-boyfriend. When I do, I'll use my network to make sure he sits in jail for a few years. I'm sure he's committed multiple crimes.""Thank you. If you really manage to find him, putting him behind bars is enough. But what should I do before you find him? He could come to me anytime. He said he'll never set me free and will kill me. He looked like he had gone mad.""I'll send someone to protect you. Don't worry.""Theo, can I…""What?" Theodore could sense that Aurora had something to say. "Just speak your mind. Don't beat around the bush.""Theo, I'm really scared. Can I stay with you before you find him? Don't worry, if you don't want me disturbing you, I won't. I'm just so scared to be by myself… I have nightmares when I sleep."Afraid that he might misunderstand, Aurora hurriedly added, "Don't worry, once he's found and put behind bars, I'll move out immediately. I'm just so scared right now. Please, I
Theodore lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep. He felt a fire burning in his heart, his mind unable to stop thinking about Rosalie.Whether his eyes were opened or closed, all he could see was her.Frustrated, he flipped to his side to pull out a drawer and retrieve a bottle of pills. He couldn't calm himself down without medication.Just then, his phone rang. Theodore picked it up and saw the name on his phone screen—it was Aurora.He flung his phone aside.It kept ringing, irritating him greatly. Eventually, he answered the call. "What do you want?""Theo, save me! Save me, quick!"Shock registered on Theodore's face. "What happened?""He's chasing after me… Can I go find you? I really have nowhere else to go! I'm so scared!""Who's chasing after you? Where are you right now?""I…I'm now at… It's so dark, I can't tell. I'm hiding in a small alleyway right now. As I came here, I think I walked past a bar called Endless. I took a right turn and ended up in this alleyway. I'm
Aurora collapsed on the ground, overwhelmed by the sudden force. Her head was pounding and she cupped her red, hot cheeks with her hands. "What…what did you do? Why did you slap me?" she asked, stunned. Yerick looked down upon her, his towering figure dark and frightening in the night. "Are you taking me as your hitman, ordering me around as you like?"It was enough that she ordered him to kill another. How dare she ask him to kill Rosalie?! She was digging her grave!"I didn't mean that," Aurora said agitatedly. "I'm just so scared! We're on the same boat, so we should help each other out.""Help each other out?" Yerick crouched down and pinched her chin. "Tell me, then. What have you helped me with so far? Why do you think I arranged for you to be by Theodore's side and allowed you to get to know him? What do you think is my motive?""I…I don't know!" Aurora said with trembling lips. The man before her was way too frightening, his eyes ghostly as he chuckled. "But I'll do wha
Justin brought the baby home and saw Rosalie spacing out before the kitchen counter. She didn't even realize they were home."Mama," Steve called out to her.Rosalie heard him and turned to look at them. "You're back."She took Steve from Justin's hands and held him in her arms."Rose, are you alright? What did Theodore tell you?" Justin asked. "Aurora felt guilty and made Angie her scapegoat. Angie has been nabbed by the police," Rosalie replied.Justin frowned. "Angie surely wouldn't be a sitting duck. She'll expose Aurora.""That's not wrong," Rosalie said. "The problem is, Aurora is too good at putting up a facade. Theodore doesn't trust Angie and he said he'll investigate things and find out if Aurora was involved. At the end of the day, he refuses to believe that Aurora is capable of something like that. He subconsciously thinks that Angie was solely responsible.""That sounds like something he would do," Justin concluded. "Last time, I could tell he's very protective of
Theodore turned around. "Is there something else?"Justin walked over. "Do you want to hold him? He seems eager to hug you."Theodore paused. Then, he gave a helpless smile at the corner of his mouth."No, you take him upstairs." The more he held Steve, the harder it would be to let go. He didn't even know why he felt such strong emotions for Steve. Perhaps it was because Steve was Rosalie's child, and thus, he couldn't help but care for the baby.Seeing this, Justin didn't insist. He was about to leave when suddenly, Steve started crying in his arms. Steve stretched out his hands toward Theodore, trying to reach him.Hearing the cries, Theodore's heart tightened. He turned around and saw Justin trying to soothe the child."Steve, what's wrong? Are you hungry? I'll take you back right away."Steve continued crying, louder and louder, and Theodore felt as if his heart were being squeezed. His feet felt like they were nailed to the ground, and he couldn't move.Justin took a few steps b
"And what about you?" Theodore countered. "Rose, when will you finally see what kind of people are around you? Sebastian's two-faced, pretentious, and full of lies. Justin has blood on his hands, with numerous enemies. He's like a ticking time bomb, and both of them will only bring you disaster."Rosalie sneered. "And how much disaster have you brought me? Do you think the mental torment you've caused me isn't enough?"Theodore gave a bitter smile. "Rose, do you want me to die to make up for the harm I've caused you?""No, I just hope you won't bother me anymore. I have my own life now. Whether it's good or bad, it has nothing to do with you. Once upon a time, Grandma was the last connection between us, but now that she's gone, we have nothing left."She avoided Theodore's gaze. "You should go now."Theodore clenched his fists. "If this is what you want, then I understand. I'll stay away from you in the future and won't bother you again, because, as you said, we have nothing left."Wi
Theodore was about to speak, but then he remembered he had important matters to discuss today and couldn't be sidetracked by Justin."Rose, I have something important to tell you. Let's talk privately.""If you have something to say, just say it," Rosalie replied. She knew he wanted Justin to leave, but she didn't mind if Justin knew what was going on.Theodore gave Justin a cold glance before continuing, "This matter concerns Grandma. I don't want anyone else around. It's something that should only be discussed between the two of us.""He's not an outsider," Rosalie replied without hesitation. "He can know about Grandma's matters too."Seeing the two of them about to argue, Justin immediately said, "I'll take Steve out for a walk and come back later."With that, Justin left.Rosalie quickly said, "Justin, you don't need to…""It's fine," he interrupted her. "I'll take him downstairs for a walk."With that, Justin left with Steve.Rosalie took a step back and said to Theodore, "Come in
Aurora looked incredibly sorrowful, completely unlike someone who was acting. Theodore, for a moment, didn't know whether he should believe her or not.When Rosalie had first told him, he had only defended Aurora, completely ignoring Angie.Now, with Aurora telling him that it was Angie who killed Rebecca, Theodore couldn't be 100% certain that Aurora was not involved in this matter.It felt like a layer of mist had been added, blurring his vision and preventing him from seeing clearly.After a long while, Theodore released Aurora."Get better first," he said, turning to leave.Suddenly, he heard some movement behind him. Turning around, he saw Aurora stumbling toward the window in the ward. She forcefully pulled open the window and jumped straight down.Theodore's brows tightened, and with rocket-like speed, he rushed forward. He grabbed her from behind and pulled her back from the window ledge. "What are you doing?!""Theo, let me die! I don't want to live anymore. Just pretend I kil