Painful screams of a woman sounded from the delivery room."Take a deep breath! The baby is almost out, you're almost there!""Ahh!"Rosalie felt a heart-wrenching pain that tormented every bone and sinew in her body. She shut her eyes tight, her pale face twisting with pain and forehead beading with sweat."Rose." Sebastian insisted on staying by her side. He couldn't possibly leave her all alone at a time like this.Rosalie held Sebastian's hand tight, almost forcefully. Sebastian's fingers hurt from how hard she was grabbing his hand, but he bore with the pain.That minor pain was nothing compared to the pain Rosalie was experiencing as she gave birth."Ahh!"Rosalie opened her mouth wide, panting as she took in big gulps of air.The doctor continued encouraging her.However, the baby's head was stuck, requiring tools to pull the baby out.Rosalie was in such pain she was on the verge of passing out."Rose, the baby is almost out. Hang in there!"Rosalie turned around,
Theodore sat by her bedside, lifted her hand, and caressed her cheeks, looking at Rosalie tenderly. "Silly, why didn't you tell me about it earlier?""I'm sorry, Theo. I thought you wouldn't have wanted the child, so I didn't dare tell you about it.""Rose, I should be the one apologizing for making you suffer. Don't worry, I won't ever leave you from now on. Our little family of three will never be apart."Theodore bent over and kissed Rosalie's lips ever so gently before wrapping her up in his arms.When Rosalie heard Theodore mention their family of three, she suddenly opened her eyes and woke up abruptly."Rose, you're finally awake."Sebastian had been by Rosalie's side all along. He was so glad and relieved to see her finally waking up. "Do you feel unwell anywhere?"Rosalie realized that it was Sebastian by her bedside.She stared at the ceiling as she returned to reality. She was dreaming just now, thinking that she really saw Theodore just now.Perhaps she had such a
Rosalie wanted to give the baby a name as soon as possible.She had promised Sebastian to let him name the baby, and she wouldn't go back on her word. She couldn't give Sebastian anything else, but he stayed so faithfully by her side, even through her labor.Rosalie felt immensely guilty. Letting Sebastian name her child was the only thing she could do for him."I thought of a name long ago. What about Steve?""Steve." Rosalie subconsciously turned to look out the window as she mumbled the baby's name.It was early in the morning and bright sunlight shone down, peeking through the towering trees that were dancing in the morning breeze.What a beautiful morning. It felt like a new beginning, and Rosalie almost forgot all of her troubles.Rosalie turned around to look at the baby in her arms. She gently caressed his little cheeks as tears blurred her vision once more."What's the matter, Rose?" Sebastian asked anxiously. "Do you not like the name? I can think of a few more."Seb
Yvonne hurried over to Christopher's place, brimming with excitement.A servant told her that Christopher was in his room. Yvonne ran up the stairs, to his room, and knocked on the door. "Uncle!"The door was opened and Christopher appeared right before Yvonne, standing tall and handsome in a suit. "What's the matter?""Rose just gave birth! It's a baby boy, and both mother and son are safe.""Is that so?" Christopher was very glad to hear the good news, but his face turned solemn in an instant. "Why wasn't I informed of it?""Well, aren't I telling you about it now?""I meant, why didn't Seb call me to tell me about it?"Christopher thought that Sebastian might still be bearing a grudge against him for the words he said before."Seb wanted me to inform you. I don't know why he didn't tell you himself. Maybe he's too busy. He needs to go for treatment while taking care of Rose, so…"Even Yvonne found her excuses weak.She found Sebastian's behavior slightly strange. Why did
The meeting lasted around one and a half hours. Leaders of the city, officials overseeing key industries, and executives of the finance industry were gathered in the meeting room.After the meeting ended, Christopher stood around the hall chatting with some people."Mr. Jackson, do you want to join us for lunch?"Christopher saw Sydney approaching him from a distance, and said, "You guys go ahead first."After a while, Sydney stood before Christopher with a bag in her arms.Christopher surveyed her from head to toe."Why do you look so listless? Did you not rest well?"He noticed her looking distracted during the meeting.Sydney shot him a weak smile. "I slept a little later last night. Mr. Jackson, I learned a lot from what you shared at the meeting just now."At the very least, he didn't just spout politically correct clichés.Many leaders seem to say much, but in fact say nothing at all. They are usually unable to articulate themselves without a script.Christopher was a
Sydney smiled politely."I wouldn't say 'pressured', but I do feel a little nervous."Sydney had the experience of having dinner with leaders of major companies and even of the city.Christopher somehow felt different from them all.She could tell at one glance what kind of people the rest of them were, and even see through their preferences and such.However, she couldn't figure Christopher Jackson out. Each time she looked into his eyes, she would feel slightly nervous, as though he was capable of melting her into a puddle anytime.Having lived through half her life, Sydney wasn't a naive young lady who thought that Christopher had feelings for her. Yet, in the depths of her heart, she could sense something wrong with the look in his eyes."Why do you feel nervous? Do you think I'll be fierce to you, or raise some unreasonable request?" Christopher asked. He spoke calmly and politely, with a graceful poise befitting of a true gentleman.Sydney said, "Mr. Jackson, I naturall
Christopher nodded. "Go ahead."Sydney walked out of the private room with her phone in hand, and received the call. She said with slight frustration, "What is it again?""You left your necklace behind at my place. Where are you? I'll send it to you." Geoffrey's tender voice sounded through the phone.Sydney's grip tightened over her phone. After a long pause, she finally said, "What exactly must I do for you to let me go?"Geoffrey had been threatening her as of late.When he previously forced her into bed with him, he had filmed the entire process.Sydney was initially resistant, but as time went by, she became numb to it and eventually gave up resisting him.Geoffrey cut out the part of the video where she didn't resist him, and just that clip alone made it seem as though Sydney went along with it willingly. Then, he threatened to show the Spencers the video.Geoffrey was a madman who wasn't afraid of sacrificing himself for the sake of getting what he wanted.Sydney, on th
The lunch went on pretty smoothly, despite Sydney's nerves at the start.Christopher, on the other hand, remained rather open-minded.Sydney slowly got infected by his mood; they started chatting about many things, ranging from finance-related issues to personal preferences. They even shared anecdotes about interesting and strange things they encountered.The two of them got along pretty well.Many times during their conversation, Sydney was tickled pink by Christopher.Each time Sydney laughed, Christopher would look at her with a tender and deep look in his eyes. Yet, he always managed to compose himself right before Sydney noticed it.They continued chatting long after their meal was over.The clock struck two in the afternoon before they realized it.Sydney glanced at her watch. "Mr. Jackson, we've been here for so long. I'm sorry for holding you back from your appointments."Christopher smiled. "Not at all. Am I holding you back from anything?"Sydney smiled politely. "O
It was like a long, long nightmare.Rosalie didn't know how much time had passed. All she could remember was herself walking in the desert for a long, long time. She felt tired, thirsty, and hot. She saw no end to the desert and she seemed to be looking for something, although she had forgotten who she was.Just as she fell from tripping over a stone and found herself unable to crawl back up, a man appeared before her.Rosalie looked up, and tears welled up in her eyes the moment she saw who it was.She suddenly remembered who she was and she reached out a trembling hand, calling out, "Justin… Justin…!"Her voice was hoarse.Justin crouched down. "Rose.He reached his hand out, as tender as before.Rosalie felt as though she had found her lifeline. Yet right before their hands touched, a loud gunshot sounded as she saw a bullet pierce mercilessly through Justin's chest. Blood trickled down the wound.Justin collapsed to the ground."No…no, no!"Rosalie yelled at the top of h
"Sebastian Carter, dare you kill me? Hahaha…!" Rosalie laughed.Her scornful laughter was akin to blades that pierced Sebastian's heart. He knew his time was up and all forms of pretense were useless.Although he refused to concede defeat, he had no other choice.Anyone who loved this woman was bound to end up in a horrible plight.Out of the blue, he asked, "Theodore, do you love Rose?" "Of course I do, but I'm not as perverted as you are," Theodore spat."Yes, I'm perverted while your love is noble and dignified. At the very least, Rose loved you once, but what about me? She has never loved me." Sebastian chuckled bitterly, tears filling his eyes. "I just want her to love me! What wrong have I done? I just don't want to lose the woman I love. How is that wrong?"Until now, Sebastian refused to admit his wrongdoings. He might know it in his heart, but he refused to admit it outright.Tears of indignation rolled down his cheeks as he bawled like a child. "The only wrong I di
Sebastian gritted his teeth as he vented his overwhelming wrath on Rosalie's body.Rosalie shut her eyes and bit down on her lips hard, bearing with the pain. She didn't cry out for fear that the people outside would hear her and realize the indecency that was going on.The men outside were shouting anxiously. Just then, one of their members ran over with an electric drill in hand. "I found this! Let's try it."A loud drilling sound came from the door. A few minutes later, the door lock finally came loose.The door was kicked open with a loud bang and Theodore barged in with his men. Sebastian and Rosalie were seated by the bedside, with Sebastian holding a gun pointed at Rosalie's temple.Rosalie's hair was in a mess, with tears streaming down her face. Her sleep gown was all tattered and torn.Fire burned in Theodore's eyes when he saw the scene before him. "Sebastian Carter, what did you do?!""I did everything you can imagine! If you don't believe me, just watch." Sebast
Rosalie was sound asleep when she heard a commotion from outside.Then, shrieks pierced the air.At that moment, the door to her room was locked open and the lights were switched on. Rosalie felt the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against her temple.Sebastian's face was dark with fury as he yanked Rosalie out of the bed."What happened?" she asked.She saw his sweat-beaded brow and knew something serious had happened.Sebastian yanked the rope in his hand and Rosalie tumbled into his arms. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pointed a gun at her forehead with another.Rosalie panted hard. "Sebastian Carter, are you going to kill me? Just shoot me!""Theodore's here. Do you want to see him?""What did you say?" Rosalie was shell-shocked. "He's here?""What, are you very happy?"A flurry of gunshots sounded outside the room."Do you hear that? He's here to rescue you," Sebastian said with a smirk.Rosalie took a deep breath and said, "Why aren't you making a run for it? If
Before his departure, Theodore carried Steve in his arms for a long time, saying many things to him."Stevie, I'm so sorry. If anything were to happen to Daddy, I can't take care of you anymore. I know I should be doing that and that I shouldn't be so selfish, but I can't help it. I have to go save Mommy. If I don't come back, you must listen to Grandpa and Grandma. They will take care of you."Theodore kissed his cheek. "I left you many videos, enough to last you till you turn 18. Remember to watch one every year on your birthday. I want you to know that I'll remember you forever."He started tearing up. "I'm sorry, Daddy needs to go. I'll protect myself and your mommy as best as I can. We'll definitely find a way back home."Theodore put Steve back into his cot."Dada…" Steve leaned against the edge of the cot and blinked innocently at Theodore."I'm sorry. Daddy's leaving." He planted a final kiss on Steve's cheek and left, his heart breaking.Steve plopped onto the mattr
They were thirty hours away from the launch of the rescue operation.Theodore called Sydney and Wesley over for a talk in the living room. With his solemn expression, the atmosphere was very tense."I called you two over because I have something very important to tell you.""What is it?" Wesley asked."If I were to die, please take good care of Steve."Shock registered on both their faces when they heard Theodore's words."Theo, what do you mean by that?" Sydney asked. "What happened? You've been acting so secretively as of late. I don't see you and can't even reach you. In fact, I can't reach Rose, either."She sensed that something major had happened, but no one was telling her what it was. She even tried contacting Christopher to understand what was going on, but he refused to breathe a word about it.The rescue operation had to be kept under wraps. Theodore and Christopher hid it from everyone else for fear of unnecessary complications and information leaks. They couldn't a
In the dark, silent night, moonlight flitted about in the night sky like a weak flame on a candle in the endless darkness.Clouds covered the sky and the night breeze felt chilly, like a sneaky thief drawing close under the cover of the night.The office was a mess, the darkness outside melting into the tense atmosphere in the room.There were many computers laid out on the large table, information and data blinking rapidly on the screen like the stars in the night sky, piercing through one's nerves.Theodore was leading the pack, walking around the periphery of the table amidst the tense atmosphere, his attention completely drawn toward the computer screens. Everyone was involved in this extremely dangerous and challenging rescue operation. They were now at the stage of planning for the rescue operation.Christopher was involved, as well. Half of the men in the office room were working under him.Theodore placed the report he received on the table and said to Christopher, "Vel
Nana's tears fell down her cheeks as she clutched the blanket tightly, her small body trembling.Sebastian was originally furious. He had suffered at Rosalie's hands, but upon seeing Nana's pitiful appearance, the anger inside him began to subside. He moved closer to her and reached out his hand, but she shrank back in fear.Sebastian forcibly pulled the blanket off Nana and lifted her. He then walked toward the balcony.Nana was terrified, but she dared not move recklessly. She could only silently shed tears, too scared to cry out loud.Sebastian carried Nana to the balcony, where a cool breeze blew. He sat down in the chair on the balcony, placing Nana on his lap."Nana, are you upset with Daddy for not saving you at that time?"Nana lowered her head and kept silent."I could only save one of you. Your mother was right by my side, and you were far from me. I couldn't get to you in time."Though if given another chance, he would still save Rosalie."You didn't die, so you're lucky. I
Sebastian took a deep breath, seemingly trying to hold back his anger. Finally, he said in a calm tone, "Let's eat first. We have plenty of time ahead of us. Rose, think about it. You're just in your twenties, and we still have so many years to go. This is just the beginning."Sebastian was not in a hurry because he was the one in control. He still had plenty of time with Rosalie. He would slowly make this woman obey him.After lunch, Sebastian didn't stay long. Even though he wanted to talk to Rosalie, she wouldn't say anything pleasant. Listening to her would only frustrate him.Just as he reached the door, Rosalie called out to him. "Wait a moment."It was rare for her to call him. Sebastian couldn't help but feel a flicker of expectation in his heart.Rosalie asked, "Won't you sleep with me tonight?"There was a hint of mockery in her eyes when she said this. Sebastian's brows furrowed tightly. He knew she was humiliating him. She was saying this on purpose, trampling on his pride