Soon, the car was filled with the fragrance of lilies. The scent was so comforting that Rosalie couldn’t help but say, “Grandma really loves lilies. That was thoughtful of you.”She was sincere about her compliment.“Grandma appreciates my thoughtfulness, but not others,” Theodore murmured as he continued driving.Rosalie knew exactly what he meant. “If you mean suddenly declaring love, forcefully taking what you want, being domineering and disrespectful, then yes, it shouldn’t be appreciated.”If she didn’t retort, it would seem like it was her fault for not appreciating his gestures.“Then tell me, what should I do to make someone appreciate it?” Theodore asked.Rosalie clenched her hands that were resting on her knees. She could feel her palms sweating. “Sometimes, if someone doesn’t want something, forcing it on them isn’t the best idea. Taking it back is.”“I accidentally scattered it all to the ground. It can’t be taken back,” Theodore replied in a calm yet wistful tone. B
"You're really clever, huh? Do you think I'm lying to you?" The old lady tapped Rosalie's forehead lightly with her finger. "Alright, I'll show you."She turned to the butler. "Bring me my medical report."Soon, the butler came over with a report in hand. Rosalie stood up, took the report, and carefully reviewed it. After she finished reading it, Theodore also took a look. The metrics were not much different from the ones from the last check-up."See?" Rebecca pretended to be upset. "I'm not lying! You really thought I was making it up.""Grandma," Theodore said, noticing something in the data. "Your blood pressure is a bit low.""Really?" Rosalie didn't catch that. "Where does it show?"Theodore pointed to a set of numbers on the report. "It really is, Grandma. Your blood pressure is a bit low," Rosalie repeated, feeling worried.Rebecca reassured them, "I know. The doctor mentioned it too, but I'm not too far off. It's no big deal. At my age, it's normal to have these kinds
Rosalie didn't want to lie to Rebecca, but she couldn’t tell her grandmother the truth about how badly she and Theodore were getting along. It would sadden Rebecca.“That’s good, then.” Rebecca lowered her head slightly, sadness flickering in her eyes. She knew that regardless of how well Rosalie and Theodore were getting along, she couldn't change the fact that they were divorced.“Yes, Grandma,” Theodore said. “Don’t worry. No matter what happens to Rose, I will always help her.”Theodore wasn’t just saying this to comfort Rebecca. He really meant it.Rosalie was taken aback, and turned to look at Theodore. She suddenly recalled all the chaos they had gone through. It was hard to imagine they could have such a calm and harmonious moment. She didn’t know how long this peace would last, but at least they weren’t fighting like before.“Theo.” Rebecca held his hand. “I trust that you’ll do what you say, but helping her is one thing. Bullying her is another. No matter what happens, d
All of a sudden, Theodore placed a chicken drumstick on Rosalie’s plate. Rosalie quickly said, "I'm full."Theodore looked up and met her eyes. Rosalie's heart trembled, but she immediately looked away. Rebecca smiled at them without saying anything.Soon, Theodore took the drumstick from Rosalie’s plate and ate it himself, as if saying, "If you won't eat it, I will."Rosalie sighed in relief, feeling this was better than being forced to eat. She disliked those forced gestures of hospitality where people insisted you eat or drink even if you didn’t want to, making you seem rude if you refused.At the very least, Theodore had stopped adhering to that awkward social norm.Rebecca suddenly remembered something, and said, "By the way, I need both of you to help me with something.""What is it, Grandma? Just tell us," Rosalie said."I have an old friend whose granddaughter is getting married. She invited me to the wedding, but I've been feeling a bit tired and don’t want to go. It
"Grandma, I need to use the restroom." Rosalie put down her cutlery, and stood up to leave.After Rosalie left, Rebecca turned to Theodore. "Why are you sitting there like you’re mute? You should’ve said something!"Theodore smiled bitterly. "What could I say? Even if I agreed, Rose might not. She doesn’t want to be close to me, so even pretending will be stressful for her."That was why he hadn’t said anything. No matter what he said, it would only make her uncomfortable. He didn’t mind telling Rebecca, because he knew she understood deep down. Hiding it only give everyone more pressure.Rebecca sighed. This was exactly what she had expected. "Rose treating you this way now is your own fault. You lost a good wife, just like your father. Why don’t you ever learn?""I don’t know why. Maybe it’s human nature. We know it’s wrong, but we do it anyway. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many wars," Theodore replied helplessly.Rebecca shook her head in resignation. "I’m tired of reprim
“What’s the problem?”“I…” Theodore didn’t want to tell his grandmother that Rosalie was already married. Just as he was thinking of an excuse, his phone dinged. He took it out, and saw a message from Rosalie. [Please come to the restroom, thanks.]He put his phone back in his pocket. “Grandma, I need to use the restroom.”Theodore left the dining room and headed to the restroom. When he got there, Rosalie opened the door for him, pulled him inside, and shut the door with a bang.He waved his phone in front of her. “You're being very polite.”Rosalie had sent him a message with "please" and "thanks," speaking to him as if he were a stranger.“What do you want? Do you want me to speak rudely to you?” Rosalie asked.“I’d rather you be rude and curse at me.”She frowned. “Do you really want me to curse at you that much?”“Yes, I’d prefer that to you being polite. Your courteous attitude makes me uneasy.”The more polite she was, the further away she seemed. He’d rather she hit
“Why do you think I wouldn’t agree?” Theodore asked.“It’s not that I think you wouldn’t agree. It’s that I don’t know if you would, so I wanted to ask you privately,” Rosalie explained.“You’re very cautious. Can I take this to mean you care about my feelings? Otherwise, you could have just said that since she’s my grandmother, it’s my responsibility to fulfill her wish.”“Don’t misunderstand. It has nothing to do with caring about your feelings. I just think it’s a matter of courtesy. We’re divorced, and things aren’t the same as before. Besides, visiting your grandmother is a responsibility, but you’re not obligated to fulfill her competitive desires. You can refuse, and that doesn’t make you a bad grandson,” she retorted calmly.“So, you think Grandma shouldn’t compare us to others?”“It doesn't matter. It has already happened. I understand her feelings, so if I have the ability to fulfill her wish, I’m willing to do it.”“Aren’t you afraid that she might demand more in the f
Seeing Rosalie's wary expression, Theodore scoffed. “Are you afraid I’ll press you against the wall and kiss you? Then you shouldn’t have called me here.”Rosalie lowered her gaze. “I hope you don’t do such things here.”“Not here?” Theodore smirked. “You mean I can do it somewhere else?”Rosalie frowned. “Stop joking. Let’s go out.”Considering what he had done before, she knew he was capable of such actions. More importantly, she had texted him to come here. If he really did kiss her, it would be hard for her to defend herself.“I have a question for you.”“What?” Rosalie asked.“You’re worried about Grandma, and so am I. She says she’s fine, but we don’t believe it without seeing her medical report. Now I’m worried about you. When was your last check-up?”Rosalie felt a stab of pain in her heart. “Didn’t you take me for a check-up before our divorce? You already know everything, didn’t you?”Fortunately, Stephanie had helped her. Otherwise, she would have been exposed.“Yo
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