#Rosalie’s lips twitched in disbelief. "What did you say?"Yvonne took a step closer. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that yesterday, and I shouldn't have followed you. I'm sorry."Yvonne's sudden apology left Rosalie at a loss. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"Yesterday, Yvonne had been so self-righteous. Plus, she didn’t seem like the type to easily admit fault."I thought about it afterward," Yvonne said. "I was wrong. We’re friends, and I shouldn’t have doubted you like that. You’re not someone who plays both sides. I should have trusted you. I was just worried because Theodore hurt you before, and I was afraid he might hurt you again. So, I… I got a bit worked up and said some things I shouldn’t have. Can you please not take my words to heart?"Rosalie smiled faintly. "Vonnie, I was a little upset at first, but after thinking it over, I know you were worried about me. I was wrong too. If I had told you from the start, there wouldn’t have been any misunderstandi
Rosalie knew she couldn’t stay here to care for her aunt indefinitely, so she took out her phone and called for a caregiver to come look after Laila.Just as she was about to leave the room, Laila seemed to spot her."Rose!"Rosalie had to stop and, with some reluctance, walked back into the room."Rose, it's me! Do you remember me?" Laila reached out her hand. "I’m your aunt!"Rosalie sighed. As she reached the bedside, she saw that Laila was quite agitated."Rose, it’s so great to see you here! I thought I’d never see you again!"Rosalie looked at her aunt with a cold detachment. "A caregiver will come by soon to take care of you. I’ve already covered the costs.""Good, good," Laila said excitedly. "Rose, I knew you were a good kid. If I hadn’t run into you here, god knows what would happen to me. Could you stay a while and talk with me?"Rosalie frowned. "No, I have other things to do. I need to leave now. Rest up. I don’t plan on visiting frequently. Once you’re better, yo
“You were worried I’d have a hard time, so you abandoned me? Did you think I had it great with you? You should know what my life was like when you adopted me. You were often drunk, and took your anger out on me. I did all the housework until my hands were raw. Even though you took all of my parents' compensation money, you wouldn’t even pay for my school supplies. I was ostracized in class, and you never cared.”“Are you complaining about me?” Laila growled. “I did adopt you, after all! Without me, you’d have been homeless.”“And you have the nerve to say that?” Rosalie retorted. “You spent all my parents' compensation money! You know exactly why you adopted me.”Laila’s face darkened. “How can you say that? I didn’t adopt you just for the money! I’m your closest relative, so of course I should be the one to take you in. Since I did take you in, why shouldn’t I use the money? After all, I was taking care of their daughter. You’re a living, breathing person. What does that money matt
Rosalie walked out of the hospital room, ignoring Laila's frantic shouts. "Rosalie, come back! Come back now! You can't leave!" Laila tried to get out of bed to chase after her, but her legs wouldn't cooperate. All she could do was watch helplessly as Rosalie's figure disappeared down the hallway.-Once outside, Rosalie immediately called Rebecca. The phone rang only once before Rebecca's kind and patient voice answered."Rose, is that you? What’s the matter?""Grandma, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."Rebecca chuckled softly. "Of course, dear. What is it?"Rosalie took a deep breath. "Did Aunt Laila ever come to see you?"There was a sudden silence on the other end.After a moment, Rebecca replied, "Why are you asking about this now?""Grandma, please just answer my question. She did come to see you, didn't she?"Rebecca sighed. "Yes, she did, but it was many years ago."Rosalie frowned. "Why didn't you tell me? I had no idea.""Becau
Time flew by, and before long, it was time for Sebastian’s discharge. After spending about twenty-five days in the hospital, his recovery was progressing well, and he only needed to focus on resting.During this period, Rosalie hadn’t seen Theodore at all. It was as if things were completely over, and there was nothing left between them. In a way, it wasn’t all bad.Back at the Carter Residence, Sebastian found comfort in the familiar surroundings. Although he vaguely remembered some things, the memories remained fragmented. Now that he could move around freely and live a normal life, his spirits had lifted significantly.That evening, after a bath, Sebastian returned to his room. He saw Rosalie making the bed. Hearing his footsteps, she turned and said, "Seb, the bed’s ready. Come over and rest."She patted the bed’s edge, and then straightened up. As she turned to leave, he suddenly pulled her into a hug and leaned in, wanting to kiss her. Rosalie was startled and quickly
Rosalie’s heart raced. “Seb, you were in the hospital, and you weren’t well.”“That’s no excuse,” Sebastian said. “I was ill, but a hug or a kiss shouldn’t be a problem, right? Now that I’m out of the hospital and the doctor has given the go-ahead for some intimacy, are you willing to let me be close to you?”Rosalie stared at him in silence.Sebastian took a step closer. “Honey, let’s have a hug.”He wrapped his arms around her back. “Honey.”Even with his memory loss, Sebastian was still a normal man. Holding his beloved woman, his mind was filled with thoughts. He turned his face, and whispered in her ear, “You smell so good.”Rosalie flinched and pushed him away, stepping back a few paces. “No, we can’t do this.”“Why not?” Sebastian’s frown deepened, his voice rising. “Tell me why we can’t. I’m your husband. Don’t use my health as an excuse. I won’t believe you.”“Sebastian, we just can’t,” Rosalie said, her eyes misting. “We can’t...”“Tell me why.” Sebastian clenched hi
With the conversation reaching this point, Rosalie could only admit the truth. She nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Seb. This baby isn’t yours, which is why I didn’t tell you about it.”She simply didn’t want to deceive Sebastian.This child wasn’t his. Lying to him would be unfair to him and to the baby she was carrying. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.Sebastian felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. “It’s not mine? Then whose is it? What happened between us? Why are you carrying another man’s child? We’re married!“No… it can’t be.” Sebastian’s head suddenly ached. He raised his hand to his head, and stepped back. “How can this be? Did you cheat on me? Why are you carrying someone else’s baby? No, this isn’t right. Rose, how could you cheat on me? We’re legally married. How could you!”Sebastian’s voice grew increasingly agitated, and with the pain becoming unbearable, he collapsed to the ground.“Seb!” Rosalie rushed to his side, holding his arms and trying to help him u
Rosalie was silent for a long time. “Sebastian, so much has happened between us, but please believe that everything will work out. I’ve been by your side all this time. Can you not…pressure me?”Seeing the redness in Rosalie’s eyes, Sebastian lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, then took her arm. “Rose, I never wanted to pressure you. I was just confused, and now that you’ve told me, I feel…”“Are you angry?” Rosalie asked. “If you’re angry, just tell me.”Sebastian shook his head. “No, I’m not angry. I’m just very sad. And deep down, I feel like I’ve always known.”“Seb, I’m sorry I’ve upset you.”“Rose, if you can’t answer my questions directly, it must mean this is very complicated. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. I know it’s for my own good, and I won’t pressure you. But promise me, if something comes up, you’ll tell me. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I just want you to be happy. I’ll listen to whatever you say.”Sebastian’s unders
"You'll…you'll help me get a new heart? How will you do that?" Aurora asked."Why not? You can choose not to believe me, but once you miss this chance, it's gone," Yerick said. "The pill is right here. Eat it when you feel like it. If you really don't want it, you can throw it away—but that's akin to throwing away an opportunity."Yerick released his hand. "It's late. Go to sleep."Aurora looked coldly at the pill in her hand. "How can I possibly fall asleep?"She couldn't eat or sleep knowing that Theodore was with Rosalie. Hatred filled her heart right now.Suddenly, a pocket watch appeared before her and started swinging. Yerick's voice drifted into her ears as he fixed his gaze upon her. "Go to sleep."The pocket watch swung before her for around ten seconds. Aurora suddenly felt dizzy; she then collapsed on the bed, falling into a deep sleep.Yerick looked coldly at her as he kept the pocket watch away. He reached out to pull the sheets over her. "Good night, Ms. Payne.
But now that she thought about it, if she had really done that, Theodore would surely have found out."Let's go back to your ward first. I'll tell you what to do," Yerick said, extending his hand.Aurora took his hand, following him back to the room in a daze. Once inside, she sat on the bed and burst into tears."Theodore lied to me! Why did he lie to me? How could he do this to me?" She clutched her chest, struggling to catch her breath.Yerick's lips curled into a cruel smile, and he said seriously, "With your frail health, how can you compete with Rosalie?""What should I do, then? It's not my fault that I have bad health! I have no other choice."Yerick raised an eyebrow. "What if I told you that you do have a choice?""What do you mean? Can you help me?" She grabbed his arm, her voice trembling with emotion. "You can help me, right? Please think of a way for me! I can't lose Theo. I've fallen deeply in love with him. If I have to leave him now, I'll go crazy. I'd rather die!"Th
Aurora collapsed onto the bed and gripped the sheets tightly, tears streaming down her face. "What do you want from me? What do you want?""Welcome to my game, Aurora. What I want is random, based on my mood. Before this, all of you were players in my game. The rules are set by me."Aurora lifted her head, finally realizing that she had walked straight into a trap. Yet now, she had no choice. If she told Theodore, it would prove that she had been lying to him. She had saved Theodore not by accident, but by deliberate design.Aurora wiped the tears from her face. "Are you going to hurt Theodore?""That depends on how cooperative you are. When the game's over, if you listen well, maybe I'll let you both grow old together. After all, I was the one who made you two go from strangers to being acquainted, to being in bed together. My abilities are greater than you think."Yerick's eyes gleamed with confident amusement. Aurora knew she was no match for him, so she could only resign herself a
"Aurora, you still haven't seen the thing that will break your heart even more. If you saw it, you wouldn't be saying this," Yerick countered."I still don't know your name," Aurora said. "You've been telling me you're Theo's friend, but he never mentioned he had such a friend.""He certainly wouldn't mention me, because things between him and I are very strained."Aurora was rendered speechless. He had told her that they had severed ties."By the way, Aurora, did he go back?" Yerick asked.Aurora nodded. "Yes. He originally wanted to stay and take care of me, but I was worried he'd get tired, so I told him to go back and rest. He'll come to see me again tomorrow.""Did he really go back?""I'm absolutely sure," Aurora said. "I told him to go back. Otherwise, where else could he go?""Have you thought about the possibility that he went to find Rosalie?""Rosalie! Are you saying he's with Rosalie now? No, that's impossible! Theodore wouldn't do that," Aurora protested."Why not? Didn't
"Next time, I'll make sure to not leave evidence behind." Sebastian gently caressed Steve's face."Steve, Daddy will win in the end. Just wait and see. When you grow up, you'll be like Daddy, always winning. We'll never lose." Sebastian laughed, his eyes bloodshot.Steve seemed startled, fear beginning to show on his face. He seemed like he was about to cry.-In the middle of the night…A peaceful atmosphere filled the ward, with the soft light of the night lamp casting a warm glow on Aurora's pale face. She lay alone in bed, her body seemingly blending into the silent night.Through the window, the night scenery appeared calm. Moonlight shone on the curtains, casting shadows in her room. Stars adorned the sky like diamonds, flickering as if silently telling tales of endless loneliness and thoughts.The door creaked open, and a man in black quietly entered the room. He was slender, and walked lightly. He blended into the shadows of the darkness. His gaze was sharp, like a star in th
Theodore gripped the magazine tightly in his hands, flipping through the pages. In truth, he didn't absorb a single word.Rosalie felt like she was suffocating. She couldn't continue speaking to Sebastian. "Seb, I'll hang up now. I'm going to rest."She was afraid that if she kept talking, she would lose control."Alright," Sebastian said, gently waving Steve's hand. "Steve, say goodbye to Mommy.""Goodbye, darling." Rosalie waved at the camera.Thinking about Steve made her heart ache deeply. This whole situation was just absurd. Steve's biological father was right next to her, but he could only remain invisible.After a while, Rosalie ended the video call with Sebastian. She set her phone aside and covered her mouth, crying.She was deeply upset. So many things had happened recently.On one hand, Theodore suddenly appeared in Melrine with his pregnant girlfriend. On the other hand, there was Justin. And then, Sebastian had done something terrible and lied to her. Now, he had returned
Rosalie asked this on purpose as she wanted to hear Sebastian's response. Had he truly returned to the country out of guilt, or was everything just a coincidence and the company issues had truly forced him back?"Actually, Rose," Sebastian said, "after I came back, I realized the situation is worse than I thought, so I won't be going to Melrine anytime soon. I just can't find the time.""I see." Rosalie lowered her gaze, a little disappointed.It just so happened that he returned to the country now, but it seemed that he also didn't dare to come back to Melrine. Was he really avoiding the authorities?But who had tipped Sebastian off? Could Sebastian have planted someone around Theodore? Who could it be?Rosalie forced a smile. "Alright then, I hope you sort out the company's matters at home. Don't worry about things here in Melrine. I'll come back as soon as I finish my studies.""Okay. Rose, why don't you talk to Steve for a bit?"Rosalie looked at the child on the screen, her eyes f
The sky gradually darkened.By now, Rosalie's IV drip bag was empty.She wanted to go to the bathroom. She had just gotten out of bed when Theodore stepped forward to support her.Rosalie immediately pulled away from his arm, her tone cold. "I can manage."With that, she carefully made her way to the bathroom, closed the door, and locked it.Theodore felt helpless.Later, she came out of the bathroom. She had finished washing up and returned to bed to lie down. "I'm going to sleep now. You can go back."Theodore didn't say anything but sat down on the couch."Go ahead and sleep." He picked up a magazine, and began flipping through it.Seeing his demeanor, Rosalie knew she couldn't change his mind. She turned to the other side, facing away from him.Theodore put down the magazine and secretly watched her. He cautiously walked over and adjusted the blanket on her, then returned to sit on the couch.Late at night, Rosalie's phone rang. It was a video call from Sebastian.Rosalie glanced d
"So, Dad, I can stay in Blencalgo without worry for now, right?"As they say, experience came with age. His father's connections and resources were certainly more extensive than his own.Sebastian had committed the offense in Melrine, but now he was back in Blencalgo. There was no extradition agreement between Melrine and Blencalgo, and Blencalgo had no law enforcement rights over him. Coupled with his background, he could escape any danger."I can help you this time, but next time, you'd better be more careful. If you're going to do bad things, don't let anyone have anything on you."Sebastian lowered his head. "I understand. I'll be more careful next time."Geoffrey's gaze lingered on him for a long moment before asking, "I heard you brought the child back."Sebastian nodded. "Yes. Rose is staying there to finish her studies, so I thought I'd bring him back to take care of him. After all, I've been looking after him all this time.""You really are something, raising another man's chi