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
Sydney's mind went blank.Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the man's face right before her.His eyes were shut, as if he was enjoying the moment.Sydney's body stiffened, and she couldn't move an inch. She didn't even have the energy to push him away.Somehow, she found her entire body soft and limp. Suddenly, she felt a strong force push her against the wall.Christopher started kissing her harder.His large hands pressed against her shoulders, and slowly roamed downwards. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding his other arm against her back while slowly inching downward.Sydney's knees went weak, and she almost lost her balance. She was pinned to the wall, allowing him to drag her along for the ride.He hugged her tight in his arms, stopping her from collapsing on the floor.As the kiss deepened to the point of almost losing control, Sydney's mind buzzed as she felt all energy being sucked out of her. She felt as though she was no longer herself.Just then, s
"I'm sorry, Mr. Jackson. Perhaps I wasn't thinking right. I just thought that…"She didn't know what to say. She just felt as though she were in a fantasy."There's no need to apologize. I should be the one doing that instead," Christopher said with a sigh. "I thought there was something between us, but I might have made a mistake. I was a fool.""No," Sydney exclaimed.A glint flashed past the depths of Christopher's eyes, but a look of despondence overtook him. "No? Do you mean that we…"Sydney spoke too soon, realizing that she might have fallen into his trap. He was a scheming man, after all."Mr. Jackson, I meant that it's very normal for people to overthink things. It has nothing to do with you being foolish."Her instincts warned her against getting too close to this man."Mr. Jackson, I have something to attend to and need to go. See you."Sydney then turned to leave."Is that goodbye?" Christopher asked, looking at her retreating figure. "Or do you really mean that w
"Really? Quick, call her," Rebecca urged gladly.Sydney's brows furrowed as she said, "Theo, are you really going to call Rose right now? She's very busy."The solemn look on his mother's face made it seem as though the sky would fall on their heads if he really called Rosalie.Instead of saying something, Theodore let Rebecca go and pulled out his phone from his pocket. He left the scene, and walked toward the door of the villa.Sydney hurried out after him and saw him scrolling through his contacts.Sydney said, "Theo, are you really going to call Rose?"If he called her out of the blue, all her efforts would go down the drain.Things would go back to what they were in the past, with the two of them entangled with each other and in pain."Are you afraid of me calling Rose?" Theo said. "No, that's not what I meant," Sydney explained. "I just don't want to see you hurting.""It's none of your business. It's my own business whether I'm hurting or not. I'm an adult, not a chil
The moment Aurora walked in, everyone's gaze landed on her.Shock registered on Sydney's face when she saw the familiar-looking face. Wesley looked as shocked as Sydney was.However, they both knew that Aurora merely looked like Rosalie, and wasn't really Rosalie.Rebecca was taking a nap on the couch.Theodore walked over, bent forward, and said, "Grandma, Rose is here."The mention of Rosalie's nickname made Rebecca immediately look up, only to see an achingly familiar face.Rebecca was stunned for a moment, then a look of doubt flashed past her eyes. She could sense that something was off.Everyone quieted down.Did Rebecca suddenly become alert? "Grandma, didn't you ask to see Rose? Look, Rose is here," Theodore spoke up again."Oh, Rose. You're all grown up," Rebecca said as she stretched a hand out. "Let me look at you."Aurora felt a little nervous as she glanced at Theodore. Theodore nodded back at her, and shot her a reassuring look.Aurora mustered up the courage
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