"Mom, this is just my usual expression. I'm like this with everyone," said Wesley, indirectly explaining that he wasn't intentionally targeting Sydney.Actually, he was quite happy to see his wife. It was just that he wasn't good at expressing it, and Sydney didn't mind either."She's your wife. Why would you treat her the same as anyone else?" Rebecca raised her finger at her son. "You..."Sydney took the older woman's arm. "It's alright, Mom. Let's go eat. It's rare for everyone to gather together. Let's not talk about unhappy things today."Sydney's implications were apparent to Wesley, who frowned but didn't say anything.Theodore chimed in, "Yeah, let's enjoy a meal since we're all together. It's rare.""Hah... you make it sound like such a good thing," said Wesley, glancing coldly at his son. His gaze was as sharp as a knife, as if implying something.Rebecca furrowed her brows. "Wesley, what's wrong with you now? What did Theo do to offend you?"Wesley smiled. "Mom, it's
Anyway, the Spencer family was well aware of the situation between the couple, so there was no need to worry about upsetting anyone. Sydney didn't want to make things difficult for herself either.Wesley awkwardly pursed his lips and remained silent, not showing any discontent, as if he had already gotten used to it.Rebecca's smile froze, but she simply sighed without commenting on it, instead turning to the butler and asking him to serve the dishes. The butler nodded in response, and the servants began to bring out dish after dish.The atmosphere at the dinner table was subtly awkward, and it wasn't just between Theodore and Rosalie. There was also a strange tension between Wesley and Sydney. Everyone else noticed it, but Rosalie, unfortunately, was oblivious to everything.It was quiet, unlike a lively family gathering, as if everyone had their own thoughts.Rebecca turned to her beloved granddaughter-in-law, the only one in the Spencer family who seemed relatively normal."Ro
Theodore smiled gently, not getting angry. "Got it, Grandma, I will."He reached out and took Rosalie's hand, making her feel a pang of bitterness. He was playing his part so well, but in his heart, he was thinking about another woman.Everything they were doing at tonight's dinner was fake. Once they got back home, they would return to their broken relationship. It was sad just to think about it.Even though her heart ached, Rosalie had to maintain a smile on her face. She played along with Theodore, gazing at him lovingly. When Theodore, who had momentarily been spacing out, turned back and met Rosalie’s gaze, he saw how her eyes seemed full of love for him.She was really playing her part so convincingly. If he didn't know better, he would think she really loved him. But in reality, she only saw him as a brother.No, perhaps not even that.She had told him herself that she had put him with him for long enough. Since she personally said it, it had to be true, right? Thinking ab
Rosalie glanced at Rebecca, whose complexion seemed a bit off.Worried that the tension between them might upset Rebecca, Rosalie quickly said, "Mom, Dad, the food is getting cold. Let's eat. I've made up my mind. I won't pursue further studies. I'll start looking for a job soon."Sydney and Wesley glanced at her. Since Rosalie had made a decision, they didn't say anything more. After all, they were concerned about Rebecca too. Their argument wasn't really about Rosalie's decision, with the exact reasons being known only to them.Theodore raised his wine glass and downed half of it in one gulp, his expression darkening. After that, he didn't speak much, remaining quiet. It was mostly Rosalie chatting with Rebecca, while Wesley and Sydney also remained silent. Yet, amidst the silence, there seemed to be a hidden tension.Rebecca wasn't foolish. She had seen her fair share of ups and downs. How could she not sense that something was amiss? She just chose not to confront it.Rosalie
"If you're talking about our home, then you sit in the passenger seat and I'll drive you back. But if you're talking about Cynthia's place, I'll have the driver take you there now."Either way, you're not driving. What if you hit someone on the road?" Rosalie said with furrowed brows."Hah," Theodore scoffed lightly. "So, you're not worried about me, but about strangers being hit by me."Rosalie frowned. "Shouldn't I be worried about that? Drunk drivers deserve to get into accidents, but the innocent people they hit don't."His anger flaring up, Theodore grabbed his wife's slender shoulder and demanded, "Deserve it? Are you saying it's my fault?""I was just giving an example. You haven't drunk and driven, have you?" Rosalie pushed him away forcefully. "Where do you want to go? Speak up!"After suddenly taking off his suit jacket and angrily throwing it to the ground, Theodore impatiently opened the passenger door and got into the car. It seemed like he was intending to head back
"I'm perfectly sober!" Theodore exclaimed, his expression especially grim."I remember every word you said and everything you did! And did you really dislike that bracelet that much? Even if you didn't like it, was it necessary to break it in front of me? Did I make a mistake giving you a gift?"Theodore had been holding back his anger all this time. There were many things bothering him, which was why he had been drinking during dinner. But he couldn't explode then, so he held it in until they got home, and was now finally confronting Rosalie about everything.When the topic of the gift came up, Rosalie laughed sarcastically."Yeah, because you oh-so-carefully chose that gift for me, right? Cynthia told you to give me a crystal bracelet, so you gave me one. Would you have listened to her if she had asked you to give me diamonds?"Theodore frowned. "What are you talking about?""You know exactly what I'm talking about! Asking another woman for suggestions on what gift to give you
"Grandma even said you'd be a good father! Hah! What a joke! Theodore, you wouldn't be a good father! It's a good thing I didn't get pregnant with your child. That would've been a tragedy!"Completely agitated, Rosalie’s emotions were running high. As tears streamed down her face, she felt Theodore's hand slowly loosen from her shoulder, and he eventually weakly backed away from her.Rosalie wiped away the tears from her face, smiling bitterly. "Since you and Cynthia love each other so much, why didn't you tell me from the start? Oh, I know why. You thought telling me wouldn't make a difference, so you planned it all from the beginning. From start to finish, I've been played for a fool by you."Theodore remained unusually silent.Rosalie didn't remember if he had ever been this silent before. He couldn't find any words to refute the woman before him.A pang of pain shot through Rosalie's heart as she continued, "Bring me the divorce papers already. I don't want anything, not the h
Theodore stared at Rosalie silently, unable to speak for a moment.He was clearly angry, but couldn't find a way to vent it. Didn't she just say she didn't want his child because he himself said he wouldn't give her one? So, why did he feel so stifled?Rosalie wiped away her tears and turned to open the door.Theodore grabbed her wrist. "Where are you going?"Rosalie forcefully shook his hand off. "You don't expect me to sleep with you, do you? Obviously, I'm going to sleep in the next room."The term 'husband and wife' had lost its meaning between them. There was no point in deluding themselves anymore. Every moment she spent with him was painful.Rosalie opened the door and left. In the guest room, she lay down on the bed, buried her head in the pillow, and cried bitterly.Why was she so weak? Why was she crying at a time like this? She hated herself, but she couldn't control it. Love cut deep. How could it not hurt?Rosalie held her chest, feeling as if her heart was being s
It was understandable for Justin to forget about it. His health wasn't in optimal condition right now, after all.Rosalie herself would forget what she wanted to say sometimes. Perhaps what he wanted to say wasn't that important, or he wouldn't have forgotten it so easily.Seeing her staying by his side and taking such great care of him, Justin had a lot to tell her. That included the words he wanted to tell her before Sebastian came in.'Rose, what if I like you?'That was what he wanted to say.Emotions roiled in his heart at that moment and he almost couldn't keep them under control. However, Sebastian's arrival had cut him off.After Sebastian left, he realized that it was pointless even if he said what he wanted to say. Rosalie had a husband and a child, and a happy family.He, on the other hand, was an outlaw. He had no right to like anybody.He couldn't even protect his kin. What right did he have to fancy another woman?It was enough for him as long as she was happy. H
Rosalie sighed. "Seb, don't worry. I won't meet him in private. He has Aurora by his side now. How could I possibly have any interaction with him? Go back with peace of mind.""Rose, promise me that you won't trust Theodore again. I'm really worried that he'll hurt you again."Rosalie nodded. "I got it. I've seen through him. Don't worry about me. Go be busy with what you need to do."Sebastian hugged her and bade her farewell.The plane was about to take off.He soon left with the baby in his arms.Rosalie watched them as they vanished out of her line of sight, and couldn't hold back her tears. She couldn't bear to leave her baby, and really wanted to fly back home with them.However, she couldn't leave an injured Justin behind. She also had her studies to complete, so she had to make the difficult decision of staying in Melrine for a few more months.Rosalie returned to the hospital feeling despondent.Justin saw her return, and shot her a warm smile. "You're back."Rosalie
Sebastian appeared very genuine. His eyes were filled with guilt when he looked at Justin."It's fine. As long as you desire to protect Rose," Justin said flatly.Sebastian's eyes narrowed, flashing briefly.What did that mean?Of course he desired to protect Rosalie! However, it wasn't Justin's place to comment on that.Rosalie was his wife, how was she related to Justin? What was this man thinking, trying to lecture him?Even so, Sebastian didn't say much. He simply smiled and said, "Have a good rest. I'll be off."Although it was only for a mere instant, Justin keenly caught the look in Sebastian's eyes. Despite that, he remained unperturbed.-Rosalie followed Sebastian back to their accommodation.The baby was still there.Rosalie kept holding him in her arms, unwilling to part with him. Throughout their journey to the airport, she kept carrying the baby, feeling terrible inside."I'm sorry. Mommy didn't take good care of you, and now I'm saying goodbye to you. But don
"It's not that, Rose. There's been some issues at the company, and it's quite urgent. I have to go back to deal with it.""Really? What happened?""Some shareholders are causing trouble. I won't know the details until I get back, but my dad asked me to go back as soon as possible. It might be because of what happened to me recently, and now people at the company think I can't take over. They're starting to cause a ruckus and trying to seize power."Rosalie frowned, her expression becoming more serious. "Seb, does that mean you have to go back? When will you leave?""I'm leaving right now.""Right now? So soon?"Sebastian nodded. "Yes, the plane is already ready. I need to leave immediately. Rose, do you want to come back with me?""Seb, I can't go with you. I still need to stay here and take care of Justin. Plus, I haven't finished my studies yet."Sebastian sighed. "I figured as much, but I really have to go back now.""Then you should go back and deal with the situation first. Don't
"Thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for steadfastly staying by my side, and thank you for praying for me."He seemed very haggard, as though he had endured endless torment. Yet, he still exuded a captivating handsomeness.Though his eyes appeared dim from exhaustion, they radiated determination. His deep, dark pupils seemed like a mystery, hiding countless untold stories.Rosalie was surprised. "How did you know I prayed?""I guessed," he said with a gentle smile, the corner of his mouth curving into a soft, charming arc.Rosalie smiled back at him. It wasn't too hard to guess, actually."Anyway, I'm glad that you're awake now. I'm sorry Theodore and Sebastian hurt you. They didn't know and thought you were a bad person. They were just too worried about me. I apologize on their behalf. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility for you. I'll cover all the medical bills and any future compensation and care. You don't need to worry about anything.""Those two men seem very concerned
"Theo, no matter what the test results are, you can't keep torturing your stomach," Aurora said, her voice filled with concern as she held his hand against her cheek. "Now that you have me, you have to think about me. You can't keep neglecting your health."Theodore nodded, murmuring, "Okay. Alright, I promise.""Theo, could you lie down and hold me for a while? I suddenly feel a bit anxious."Aurora's fragile and helpless demeanor made it hard for Theodore to refuse."Alright, lie down," he said. He pressed a button, and the head of the hospital bed slowly lowered.Aurora lay back on the bed and Theodore lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms. She cupped his face, closed her eyes, and kissed his lips.Theodore gripped the back of her head and responded passionately, exchanging warmth and affection.He kissed her fiercely and fervently, the world around him disappearing.-Justin finally pulled through and was out of danger. After waking up, he was transferred to a regular ward
"That's right. I thought that way too at first," Aurora said coldly. "I hate you so much for what you did. I did want you to rot in prison here, but then I thought about it more carefully. If you go to prison, won't Rosalie become single again? At that point, Theo will have a thousand reasons to get back together with her, and he'll abandon me."So, after thinking it through, I decided that you shouldn't go to prison and should stay by Rosalie's side forever. That way, Theodore won't have the chance to reconcile with his ex-wife. I'm actually doing this for my benefit more than yours."On the other end of the line, Sebastian was silent for a long time.Aurora's words made a lot of sense, but Sebastian, who was naturally suspicious, still couldn't fully trust her."Why should I trust you? If you're lying to me and this was a trap set up for me, wouldn't that mean I'm falling right into your hands?" he argued. "You don't have to trust me," Aurora said, "but once Theo leaves the hospital
Aurora needed a very thorough examination, so it would take some time. Theodore had been accompanying her, though he seemed distracted and his thoughts kept drifting back to Rosalie's sorrowful face."Theo, do you need to see a doctor for your face?" Aurora asked, concerned. "It's all swollen.""It's fine," Theodore replied, "I'll be fine in a couple of days. Don't worry. Right now, you're the most important."Hearing what Theodore said warmed Aurora's heart."By the way, Theo, didn't you promise me last night that you'd get checked today too? Why don't you go now? We can do the check-up together.""It's fine. I'll stay with you and wait for you to finish first.""Theo, you should go first. We'll both need to wait for the results anyway, so don't waste time." Aurora was very concerned about Theodore's health.She wanted him to be well. After all, he was going to be her future husband. If both of them were in poor health, how could they manage?To reassure Aurora, Theodore gently patted
The significance of Theodore verbally acknowledging her meant more than if they had slept together a hundred times. It meant that he genuinely accepted her from the bottom of his heart. All her efforts had not been in vain.Although Theodore wasn't her first man, she had just lied to him—this wasn't her first time doing it with a man at all.In fact, she was quite experienced. Aurora was far from the pure image she presented. She used to seek thrills often, enjoying the feeling of making men lose control.When she was with Theodore, she had only pretended to be inexperienced.Now that she was in love with Theodore, she realized just how blind she had been in the past. What were those other men? They had no money, no looks, and no build. Theodore was different, and she was determined to hold on to him tightly.When it came to winning over men, Aurora considered herself to have some skills and techniques.-Sebastian walked to a secluded area. He opened his hand, revealing a piece of pap