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
“He didn’t mistreat me, it’s just…” Rosalie paused for a moment, suddenly at a loss for words. “Just what?” Christopher pressed further. “If he treated you well, why did you two divorce? I heard the mistress he had an affair with and Seb are currently in the same hospital.”Rosalie put her hands on her knees, her fingers intertwining with each other uneasily.“I can chase that homewrecker away,” Christopher said, wanting to do something for her.Rosalie didn’t expect Christopher to go to such an extent for her. It seemed he really doted on Sebastian, and in turn her.She squeezed out a smile. “Thank you, but there’s no need for that. I don’t care for that.”“Really? Theodore Spencer betrayed you for another woman, and divorced you. Knowing that his mistress and your husband are in the same hospital right now, don’t you feel upset? You have the Carters backing you up now. I can help you. You don’t need to take this lying down. You can pay back those who have hurt you tenfold.”E
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