"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
“I don’t know,” Rosalie said, looking at him sadly. “I only know that if you hurt him, it’s the same as hurting me.”Theodore couldn’t help but clench his fists. Indeed, Rosalie and Sebastian were married now. Hurting either one of them meant hurting the other.He wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in his throat. What could they reach an agreement on in the restroom, and with Rebecca outside? It would just end badly. The more he spoke, the more mistakes he would make.He sighed and turned, opening the door of the restroom to leave.Rosalie stood there for a long time. Her heart ached painfully. After quietly wiping away the tears from the corner of her eyes and regaining her composure, she made her way back.Rebecca was ecstatic to hear that Rosalie and Theodore had agreed to attend the wedding as a married couple.“You’re such good children. Thank you for indulging my vanity. I feel a bit guilty. I promise I won’t compare anymore next time. At my age, being vain i
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