His phone suddenly rang.Theodore's hand shook when he heard the jingle sounding from his phone.He sighed. He twisted the bottle cap close, and put it aside before picking up his phone.Upon seeing the name displayed on the screen, he hesitated for a few seconds before answering the call. "Hello.""Hello, Mr. Spencer. I apologize for bothering you at such a late hour."It was Aurora."It's fine. What's the matter?" Theodore lay back down stiffly on the bed like a plank of wood. His voice was flat and emotionless as he spoke."I… I do have something…I need your help for." Aurora's voice was trembling slightly, tinged with fear. Theodore's brows furrowed. Sensing that something was amiss from her voice, he sat up on the bed and leaned against the headboard."What is it?"The last time he left his number with Aurora, he had told her that she could approach him if she needed help.She never contacted him—until now.He had almost forgotten about her, but now she was suddenly
Theodore approached Aurora and asked, "Are you hurt?"She shook her tear-streaked face that was covered with sweat. "I'm not hurt. Thankfully, the police came in time."Theodore was relieved to see that she was fine.Theodore turned around and looked at the man who was nabbed by the police, and asked, "Who is this man?"Aurora wiped the tears from her face, and said, "He's my ex-boyfriend who's been harassing me. I've called the police many times, but it's useless. He'll be released after two days, and he'll come harassing me again."Theodore finally understood why she didn't call the police.Even if she did and even if the police seized her ex-boyfriend, they wouldn't be able to sentence him to a heavy punishment. At most, they would give him a lecture before releasing him, which would only worsen his behavior.Theodore had initially thought that Aurora was doing it on purpose, calling him instead of calling the police.He had come just to return her the favor.Now that he th
Theodore’s threat was clear as day.If the man dared to harass Aurora again, Theodore would cripple him.The man shuddered with fear as sweat beaded on his forehead.He was arrogant, proud, and defiant. However, facing Theodore, he was as timid as a mouse, almost peeing his pants out of fright.He immediately pleaded for mercy. “I… I was wrong! I won’t ever do that again. Mr. Spencer, please spare me. Take this woman away. She’s yours now, you can do whatever you want with her!”Theodore sent a punch flying the man’s way.The man crashed on the floor, his cheeks immediately swelling up. He covered his face with his hands, and yelped in pain.Theodore was suddenly overwhelmed with anger. His face turned cold, and his gaze was frighteningly icy.He stomped on the man’s chest, and the man could feel his insides all squashed up.He hugged Theodore’s leg, and pleaded profusely, “Sir, please spare my life! Aurora's yours now!”Theodore’s foot pressed harder into the man’s stomach.
"Don't cry."Theodore stepped forward, handing Aurora a clean handkerchief from his pocket."A man like him isn't worthy of your tears."Aurora took the handkerchief from him. It had a mild fragrance that smelled very pleasant.She couldn't bear to use it to wipe her tears, and simply held it tight in her hand."Mr. Spencer, I'm not crying for him. I just feel so glad. Thank you for coming to my aid today. I felt very anxious after calling you, but I really didn't know what to do at that point. I'm sorry, I really am, for bothering you.""Don't apologize to me. I should be the one apologizing to you for misunderstanding you in the first place. I was wondering why you didn't call the police, and thought you had called me on purpose. Please don't be angry at me for that."Theodore tried to sound as gentle as possible, but his words still pierced Aurora's heart. As it turns out, his first thought was that she was doing it on purpose.Why was this man so cold and unfeeling?Aurora
Theodore turned around at the commotion.He saw Aurora collapsed on the floor, clutching her chest and panting hard, as if she was feeling breathless.Shock registered in his face; he rushed to her side and helped her up and into his arms. "What's the matter?""I… I'm feeling breathless… I…l…"Aurora opened her mouth wide, her chest heaving and her face white as a sheet.Theodore immediately unbuttoned the first few buttons of her shirt before hauling her in his arms again and rushing out the door.A few hours later, Aurora gradually stirred awake. By then, it was already midnight.She opened her eyes, and saw Theodore by her side. She heaved a sigh of relief."You're awake," Theodore said, looking at her. "How do you feel?"Aurora looked out the window, her heart thumping in her chest. "Mr. Spencer, what time is it now?"Theodore glanced at his watch. "4.38 in the morning."Aurora sat up on the bed.Theodore reached out to help her pull up her sheets and prop a pillow ag
Aurora wanted to reject even that, but the cold, hard look on Theodore's face frightened her.Before she could speak, Theodore decided, "That settles it, then."It was a decision where both of them compromised and met in the middle.Aurora thought it wasn't good to reject him again, so she said, "Alright, thank you. If you ever need my help in the future, you can…"She laughed self-derisively mid-sentence."What would you need my help for? I think too highly of myself.""Don't think that way. The sky's still dark. You should get some more rest," Theodore said.Aurora looked guiltily at him. "I made you stay here with me for so long, I feel so bad. You must be exhausted."Theodore shrugged. "It's fine. I'm not that tired."Even if he didn't stay with Aurora in the hospital, it would be the same for him, lying on his bed back at home. He would be unable to fall asleep and need sleeping pills.Even until now, he still felt very awake and alert and not tired at all."No matter w
Yuvan poured Theodore a cup of water. "Mr. Spencer." He placed the cup on the table. "You haven't eaten or drank anything today. Have some water."He didn't offer Theodore coffee, for fear that it might keep him awake at night. The sky was already turning dark.Theodore glanced at the clock. "Why haven't you clocked out yet?""Mr. Spencer, you haven't left. How could I possibly do so before you?""It's fine. You can clock out now.""Alright. Oh yes," Yuvan said as a thought came to mind. "Your mother called me asking me about you."Theodore furrowed his brows. "Is that so? What did you tell her?""I told her you were well, and that there were no issues."Theodore nodded. "If she calls to ask again, just reply to her the same thing and don't tell her too much.""Alright."Theodore grabbed his jacket and left the office. He drove on the streets, unsure of where to go.What was the point of going back to that home? He was going to be all alone, lying on that huge, empty bed w
"Well," Theodore said flatly, "it's alright."He had long gotten used to things.It was impossible to not face any pressure managing such a huge company. He was only human; making mistakes and getting exhausted were inevitable.However, he used to always have Rosalie by his side, and never felt tired because of her.She would always be waiting for him at home.Things have changed now, though. The house he returned to every day was empty, with nothing for him to look forward to. He found it exhausting, even without going to work.Theodore's physical fatigue was nothing compared to his mental fatigue."Mr. Spencer, I can tell that you're a responsible man, but no matter what, you need a healthy balance between work and rest. You have to take care of your own body," Aurora said. Theodore nodded. "I will."Aurora shifted, looking rather uncomfortable.Theodore asked, "What's the matter? Do you feel unwell again?"Aurora smiled awkwardly. "I've been lying on the bed for too long
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