She planned to tell Theodore that she had slowly come to terms with things, but at a later time.Right now, she was still in a nominal marriage with Sebastian. The situation was messy with the three of them involved. Once Sebastian recovered, the divorce would be finalized, and the child would be here. She would talk about it then.If Theodore knew that they had a child, he wouldn’t give up. Moreover, Sebastian couldn’t handle any more stress in his current situation.Theodore nodded. “If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t talk about it anymore. I won’t bring it up again.”“Theo, actually, after what you told me today, I feel like you’ve grown up. You've started to consider things from other people's perspectives. I take back the harsh words I said to you before.”This was the most comforting thing Theodore had heard all day, and it soothed his wounded heart slightly.“Yes, I was immature and foolish before, even blunt and stupid,” Theodore admitted.Rosalie shook her head. “No.
Rosalie nodded. “I approached you very carefully at that time, trying hard to be as obedient as I could. I was worried that if I weren’t, you’d hate me. You held my hand so gently when I approached you.”“You were trembling at that time,” Theodore said. “I could feel it. When I held your hands, they were shaking so badly because you were so scared.”“But you didn’t let go of my hands. Instead, you kept whispering to me, ‘Don’t be scared. You won’t be hurt from now on. I’ll protect you.’ From then on, I stayed with the Spencers and was always with you, going everywhere you brought me. Whenever I encountered a question I didn’t know the answer to, you would teach me patiently until I got it. You were never anxious or impatient with me. “When I was bullied, you were always the first to step forward and scare the bullies away. When I missed my parents, you would stay by my side quietly, saying nothing but simply being there. When I felt exhausted from crying, you would quietly hand me
“Rose.” Theodore turned around, and looked at her. “I’m just so sad. You’re so near to me right now, but I know that I’ve lost you and we can never go back to what we were in the past. I really…really miss you.”Theodore looked down, despondent. “Do you know? On your birthday, I was drinking at Caleb’s place. You came over, and I thought he was bullying you, so I hit him.”Rosalie nodded. “I remember that. You took me as Cynthia.”That memory still made her slightly upset and very uncomfortable. She remembered feeling disappointed and miserable at that time.Theodore smiled bitterly. “I knew it was you. I didn’t mistake you for Cynthia. I deliberately called her name.”“What did you say?” Rosalie said, shocked.Theodore inhaled sharply. “After asking for a divorce, I felt terrible, which is why I kept drinking. I couldn’t tell you about it because at that time, you treated me as a brother and you were happy when I brought up divorce. I didn’t expect you to be at Caleb’s pla
Theodore smiled bitterly. He said no further but lowered his head, looking as though he was crying.Rosalie lifted a hand and patted his back gently, trying to comfort him. She didn’t know what to say right now. Be it comforting or cruel words, she would only end up making him sadder—because she could never go back to him.Even without Sebastian in the picture, she wouldn’t go back to Theodore.Theodore was stuck in a never-ending cycle of sorrow, unable to walk out of it no matter how hard he tried. Nothing she said would be able to help him, unless he managed to figure things out himself and let go of things.“Had you known things would come to this, would you have done things differently?” she asked. People were often like this, never treasuring the things they had and only caring for them when they lost it.Rosalie really didn’t want to go back to Theodore. It was no longer a question of love. Just the mere thought of it hurt her immensely.It wasn’t just the two of them—it
Theodore nodded. “Fine. Forget it if you don’t want to share.”In fact, he hadn’t asked Rosalie because he was clueless. He had asked precisely because he knew Sebastian’s current state. It wasn’t difficult to find out that, apparently, Sebastian had lost his memory. Rosalie was the sole exception, being the only person he remembered.Theodore didn’t believe that was the case, and felt that Sebastian was putting on an act. How could he possibly only remember Rosalie if he had really lost his memories? It was too much of a coincidence.However, he wasn’t sure about his conjecture. Sebastian was probably the only one who knew the truth.Sebastian wanted to keep Rosalie by his side—but come to think of it, they were already husband and wife. There was no need for him to pretend that he lost his memories.Everything was in a mess, and it frustrated Theodore very much.“Rose, I have something to attend to. I won’t go into the hospital. Go on back. As much as you’re taking care of Seba
“I see. Vonnie must be having a hard time right now,” Rosalie said. “Don’t worry about her. She has to learn how to manage the company instead of relying on her brother for everything. It’s good for siblings to share the burden together,” Christopher said.Rosalie nodded. “Yes, I trust Vonnie is up to the task.”“Can you join me for dinner?”“Me?” Rosalie exclaimed in shock. She already had dinner, and couldn’t have another meal.“Oh.” Christopher smiled. “I know you’ve already had dinner. What I meant was, could you sit down for a chat with me as I eat? I haven’t talked with someone for a while. So many things happened, I do feel quite regretful about things.”Rosalie found it hard to reject Christopher’s invitation, but the thought of Sebastian still waiting for her made her bite and bullet and say, “Seb might still be waiting for me, so…”“Don’t worry,” Christopher said. “He was in good shape when I saw him. He even told me you’ve been taking care of him, and he feels quite
Rosalie nodded. “He hasn’t, but I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose. He seldom tells me about his family, and I only found out he had a sister when I met her in person.”She was afraid Christopher might be upset, so she tried to offer an explanation.Christopher took a sip of his tea. “Don’t be so anxious to explain things to me. It’s fine. I don’t really mind that Seb didn’t mention me to his wife. Since you two are together now, it’s a matter of time before we meet. Aren’t we both seated here at the moment? It’s not too late for us to get to know each other.”Rosalie smiled politely. “Yes. I never knew he had an uncle like you before this.”“An uncle like me?” Christopher asked curiously. “What sort of uncle do you think I am?”“I know that you’re of high status, but keep a low profile.” “I’m not someone important, just a government worker. At the end of the day, no matter how high-ranking I am, I am but a civil servant. It’s just a matter of address,” Christopher said indiffe
“She did get it, but…” Rosalie said helplessly, “she spent it all, and ended up unable to take care of me financially. She left me at the entrance of a company building. Thankfully, Mr. Spencer saw me and took me to the Spencer residence. I lived there until I got married to Theodore.”“Were they making you a child bride for their family?” Christopher asked, brows furrowed.Rosalie wasn’t sure if she heard it right, but she thought she heard his voice turning cold.She immediately explained, “No! Grandma didn’t take me as a child bride, but treated me like her own granddaughter. She treated me very well, and I married Theodore willingly. No one forced me into it.”“So you married him for love, and not because you were forced or to repay their kindness?” Christopher pursued further.“Yes, I married him because I loved him. The Spencer family is powerful and rich, with hoards of women fighting to marry into it. Why would they force me?”She could be frank with others and say that s
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