The ward was eerily quiet. Theodore lay alone on the bed, staring blankly out the window.The sunlight streamed through the window and cast a faint glow on his pale face. His face was ashen and his eyes were vacant, as if he didn’t have a soul. He looked exhausted and drained.He was as silent as a walking corpse. Even when the doctor came in for his examination, he said nothing.Sydney entered the ward. She visited Theodore every day. He remained silent, not saying a word and continuing to stare vacantly out the window.Sydney walked over and sat in the chair beside the bed, placing her bag to the side. She took an apple from a plate and said, “Let me peel an apple for you.”Theodore still remained silent. He didn’t even glance at her, as if she didn’t exist.Sydney sighed inwardly, and began peeling the apple with a knife. “I don’t know exactly what happened. You haven’t told me anything, and I don’t even know who brought you to the hospital. But I know something must have h
“Care about me?” Hearing these words, Theodore suddenly smiled, but the smile was extremely bitter.Rosalie obviously cared more about Sebastian. At such a critical moment, she had chosen Sebastian. Yet, she said she cared about him? It was simply laughable.Hearing the term “care,” he even felt nauseous.Seeing Theodore’s terrifying smile, Sydney felt very uneasy. “What exactly happened? If you don’t tell me, how can I know?”“You don’t need to know. No one needs to know.”Theodore didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t want Rosalie to be blamed, so he would pretend that it never happened. He didn’t want Rosalie to become a disappointment to the Spencer family. After all, she was like an angel in his family. Her parents had also died because of his family.Seeing Theodore’s silence, Sydney knew she couldn’t find out anything more from him.“Rose will come to see you today,” Sydney said. “She told me last night, and I gave her the address.”Theodore clenched his fists. “I wa
“So that’s how it is. You’re back so soon. I thought you’d be gone for a long time.”Theodore replied, “I was originally supposed to be away for a while, but since there were issues back home, I finished up early and came back.”“Theo, you’re running around so much. It must be tiring. You should take some time to rest. You don’t need to push yourself so hard.”“It’s alright, Grandma. I’m fine.”“Listening to your voice, you sound really exhausted. Theo, even though I’m strict with you, it was only because I wanted you to succeed. Now that you’ve truly become successful, I’m content. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Rest when you need to.”Theodore gently rubbed his nose, his eyes slightly red. “I got it, Grandma. I’ll make sure to rest.”“By the way.” Rebecca seemed to remember something. “Rose called me earlier. She asked where you went. Didn’t you meet her before? Why didn’t you tell her where you were going? Did you two argue again?”Rebecca was still worried about their relati
“Alright, Grandma, I understand.”“Good. Then you can get back to your work. I won’t disturb you any longer.”“Goodbye, Grandma.”Theodore blankly hung up the phone. He weakly leaned against the headboard, his gaze vacant.The Spencers all cared so much about Rosalie. It was fine, because he cared about Rosalie too. But she didn’t care about him.Rosalie cared about everyone—except for him.He was the one who made foolish mistakes and lost her. He was now facing the consequences. What right did he have to complain?In Rosalie’s eyes, he was a despised ex-husband, someone who could be discarded at a crucial moment. Their ten years together couldn’t compare to her few months with Sebastian. That was the difference.She had really fallen for Sebastian. Otherwise, why would she choose him so decisively?Indeed, Sebastian was now her husband. Sebastian was despicable, but he would take good care of Rosalie because his love for her was real. What use was there for Theodore now?T
Theodore furrowed his brows. “Do you have someone you like? Tell me, who is it?”Theodore’s expression was like that of a father catching his daughter in an early romance. After all, Rosalie was only fifteen at that time. In Theodore’s view, an early romance was unacceptable. If he found out who the guy was, he would beat him up.Rosalie quickly shook her head. “No, no.”She insisted that there was no one, but Theodore just didn’t believe her.“Who is it then? Is it someone from your school? Is it that low-class guy with a tattoo on his arm?”“No, Theo! Don’t guess blindly. There really isn’t anyone. I’m just studying hard every day. I won’t be dating anyone.”Seeing Rosalie’s serious denial, Theodore believed her. After all, he couldn’t bear to push the little girl too hard. She would really cry, and he would feel heartbroken and guilty.“That’s more like it. Focus on your studies. There will be plenty of opportunities for romance later. You’re still young.”When she grew up
He turned around, his face frighteningly pale. “If you still don’t love Mom, you wouldn’t even be here right now! You wouldn’t care about the child she gave birth to, either.”“Theo, you’re my son! I care about you, no matter what.”“Then why were you always not around when I was young? Why were you always with other women when I needed you most?”Wesley was at a loss for words.Theodore sneered. “You’re here not because you’re a good father. You’re at best a bastard who suddenly had his conscience pricked and wants to go back to your family.”Wesley clenched his fists. “Did your mom say something to you?”“No, she didn’t say anything. She doesn’t even talk to me about you.”His words were blades piercing through Wesley’s chest.Theodore’s words were cold and cruel, but they exposed the truth that Sydney never talked about his father to him.Her hatred toward Wesley had faded to cold indifference.Although they still met and interacted with each other, a huge chasm laid betwe
They didn’t want to play games with Theodore.Therefore, they didn’t verbally agree to Theodore’s demand on one hand and then secretly contact Rosalie on the other.They did feel guilty toward him, and it drove them to do as he said. They didn’t want to bear the consequences of worsening their relationship.The only thing Wesley could do right now was to comfort Theodore as best as he could, in hopes his son wouldn’t do anything foolish.Silence ensued between the father-son pair.Theodore didn’t move and Wesley didn’t dare move a muscle too, for fear that he might provoke him to jump.“Theo, Grandma really wants to see you. Your mom and I have treated you unfairly, but not Grandma. She might be fierce to you, but she raised you and genuinely dotes on you. Even if you don’t care about your mom and me, you should at least care about your grandmother.“She’s advanced in her years, and might not be able to take it if she were to receive such shocking news.“Theo, I know it feels t
A day flew past in the blink of an eye.Rosalie stared at the sunset in a daze. She didn’t say much the entire day, and remained mostly silent.She was in a gloomy mood, upset and anxious that she couldn’t see Theodore.However, she had no choice. She had to bear with it for the sake of her baby.She wondered how he was doing right now.“Rose.” A voice sounded by Rosalie’s ear.Rosalie turned around, and saw someone enter her ward. She smiled weakly. “Yerry, you’re here.”Yerick chatted with her over text today and found out that she was hospitalized, so he rushed over to see her.“How are you doing, Rose? You don’t look very well.”Yerick sat on the chair by her bedside with a worried look on his face.Rosalie shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll be going for the operation tomorrow.”“Don’t worry, Rose. The operation will be a success.”“Thanks for coming all the way here to see me, Yerry.”“It’s no trouble at all. What’s more, you’re hospitalized. I’ll rush over, no matter ho
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