"Mom, I know you're worried about me, but Seb has really been good to me. We've been through a lot together. Some things you weren't aware of, so you don't know about us...""Enough," Sydney interrupted her. "I know I wasn't involved in your matters, and I have no say in them. I'm just giving you a reminder. You can feel it out for yourself. Maybe what I'm saying is right, or maybe it's wrong. Who knows? But every word I've said to you is true. Even if you don't know what kind of person Sebastian is, you should at least know what kind of person his father is."Sydney gently patted Rosalie’s shoulder. "I'm leaving now."As Sydney opened the car door and was about to get in, Rosalie called out to her, "Mom, I trust Seb. He's a good man. It doesn't matter what kind of person his father is."Sydney smiled. "He's only a good man to you.""Mom, if what you said about his father is using me to threaten you is true, please don't do anything against your will because of me. I'll be fine.
Inside the car, Sydney was on the phone with Theodore."I saw Rose today, as well as Sebastian.""Mom, what did Rose say? Did she listen to you?""Listen to me?" Sydney let out a faint snort. "You make it sound like I demanded something of her. After all, I'm not her real mother. If I asked her to leave Sebastian, do you think she'd listen to me?""But Sebastian isn't a good person. Did you explain the seriousness of the situation to her?""It's only serious from your perspective," Sydney replied. "To Rose, it's not that serious.""How is this not serious? Sebastian is that kind of person...""What kind of person?" Sydney interrupted him. "No matter what, his feelings for Rosalie are real. He wouldn't hurt her. In that regard, he's better than you. Think about how many times you hurt Rosalie with your affair with Cynthia.""Mom, between Cindy and me..." At this point, Theodore suddenly stopped, unsure of what to say."What about you and Cynthia? You can't even finish your sent
Feeling guilty, Cynthia said, "I didn't do anything. Don't make baseless accusations if you don't have evidence.""Evidence?" Jennifer smirked. "Cynthia, if it wasn't you, then why did you run when the police came?""Did the police find any evidence?" Cynthia asked. "If they didn't, then it's slander.""Enough with the tough talk," Zac said impatiently. "You clearly know whether you did it or not. If it weren't for the fact that you're part of the Zellers, no one would have protected you. But now, you have the nerve to complain that we didn't contact you? If we really had reached out to you, would you have dared to come back? Now, you return without a word. What are you trying to do?""This is my home. Can't I come back?" Cynthia pulled out a chair and sat down. "Do you know what I've been through over the last two years? I had lung and heart transplant surgeries! Each time, it nearly cost me my life!""Your health was fine, so why did you need these surgeries?" Jennifer asked cur
Seeing that Cynthia was silent, Zac said, "I don't care who you've found outside, just don't embarrass the Zellers. If you've really found some useless man, that's your business. You can live your life with him, and we won't bother with you as long as you don't drag the Zellers down."Hearing Zac's words, Cynthia became furious. She subconsciously clenched her fists, struggling to suppress her anger. "Do you really think I'd only find someone worthless? Am I that stupid?"Jennifer said, "Cynthia, no one thinks you're stupid. You've been smart your whole life. Too smart, even. Everyone in this house has suffered at your hands. We wouldn't dare underestimate you."Hearing Jennifer's sarcastic tone, Cynthia snorted coldly. "That's right, don't underestimate me. Tomorrow, I'm marrying Theodore."When Theodore's name was mentioned, Zac and Jennifer exchanged glances. The name sounded familiar to them, but it was hard to believe."Theodore? Which Theodore are you talking about?""Who e
Even though Cynthia was marrying Theodore, Zac didn't seem to have the change in attitude toward his daughter that one might expect. He remained as indifferent as before.After Zac left, Cynthia said flatly, "Jen, is my room unoccupied?""Yes. No one's been in it. Come with me," Jennifer turned and went upstairs.Cynthia followed her up.Cynthia's room was exactly as it had been before, with servants regularly cleaning it. None of the belongings inside had been touched."See? No one's touched anything in your room," Jennifer said. Cynthia said, "That's good. I was worried that after I left, someone else might have taken this room.""There are plenty of rooms in this house. No one would take yours. Not everyone is out to get you or take your things. What belongs to you will always be yours. The Zellers won't shortchange you. But if you insist on wanting more, that's just being greedy."Cynthia frowned. "Jen, you're aware of my social status, right? After I marry Theodore, I'll
"So, you all hate me because of my mother? You think my mother caused your mother's death, so you transferred all that hatred onto me?""The reason we dislike you is because you're just like your mother," Jennifer said. "Cynthia, you've been greedy ever since you were young. You want everything, no matter if it belongs to you in the first place or not. When you can't get it by your own ability, you use despicable means."You were jealous when Dad bought me an expensive and beautiful dress, so you secretly ruined it. You're selfish and unreasonable, treating the servants like slaves. You do as you please just because you're the second young lady of the Zellers, and then you pretend to be innocent afterward. Dad let it go because you're the second young lady of the Zellers after all, but we've seen everything you've done."Over the years, with so many things happening, we know very well what kind of person you are. But you still manage to surprise us. Mrs. Tate took care of me ever si
Sebastian had already made all the arrangements for going to Melrine tomorrow. They had agreed to leave tomorrow afternoon.Before leaving, Rosalie wanted to visit her grandmother because she didn't know when she would return from Melrine. She planned to tell her grandmother everything and no longer wanted to keep secrets.Rosalie and Sebastian had agreed that Sebastian would have dinner with his family in the evening, while Rosalie would have dinner with her grandmother. They each went about their own affairs.In the evening, Rosalie drove to her grandmother's place. On the way, she received a call from an unknown number.As soon as she answered, an anxious voice came through the phone. "Rose, is that you? It's your aunt."Rosalie frowned. "How did you get my phone number?"But as soon as she asked, Rosalie remembered that she had helped Laila with the hospitalization procedures and left her phone number. So, it wasn't surprising that Laila had her number."Rose, never mind tha
With a thud, Laila's body was forcefully thrown to the ground, smashing her phone in the process. A group of burly men surrounded her, and one of them viciously kicked her shoulder, growling, "You dirty bitch, where's the money? Didn't you say you'd pay us back?"Laila scrambled to her feet, falling to her knees with a thud. "I will! Please give me a few more days. I'll definitely get the money!""You damn bitch!" A crisp sound rang out as the man slapped her face. "How many days has it been? Being stubborn, are you?""My niece is very wealthy," Laila cried in panic. "Please give me a few more days. She'll definitely give me the money!""My foot! We've heard it! Your niece won't lend you money.""Do you want to keep your left hand or your right?" the man asked."No, no!" Laila tried to scramble away, but the man roughly grabbed her and held her hands down. "Repay your debt! You're an old hag now. If you were twenty years younger, we would have sold you to repay the debt!"Th
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