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
Aurora stood up. "Mr. Spencer, your grandmother has gone to rest.""I'll make a move too," Theodore said as he approached her. "Thank you so much for today. Apologies if I held you back from your plans."Aurora said with a smile, "I didn't have much on today, anyway. I'm glad I was able to help you."Theodore said, "Let me send you back."Aurora didn't want to trouble him any further, but she also wanted to spend time alone with him, so she nodded. "Alright, thank you."The two of them were about to leave when a voice stopped them."Theo. Ms. Payne."Sydney approached them.Theodore stopped in his tracks, and turned around. Sydney stopped right in front of them and shot them a smile, her gaze landing on Aurora."Hello, Ms. Payne. It's my first time meeting you today."Aurora greeted politely, "Hello, Mrs. Harper. You're so beautiful and young."She meant her words, having been blown away by Sydney's beauty the moment she saw her. Sydney looked to be only slightly over 30 yea
A black car drove steadily on the road.Theodore sat on the driver's seat, his hands firmly on the steering wheel as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.Aurora sat in the front passenger seat, her seat belt buckled in. Her hands gripped uneasily over the belt as her heart raced.She felt very nervous being in the same car as Theodore.It was perhaps nerves from liking the man that made her so tense. She was worried over even the slightest movement that might make her look awkward and embarrass herself before him.The silence in the air started feeling awkward. Aurora finally spoke up, breaking the silence."Your mother is really beautiful and your father is handsome, too. They look like a match made in heaven."Theodore said indifferently, "They just look like it."Aurora found Theodore's words strange.Did his parents not have a good relationship, too? Why did she get strange vibes from his entire family?She opened her mouth, wanting to ask further, but Theodore beat her to
After Theodore got out of the car, he saw a young man lying on the ground. The man's bag had fallen to the ground, and he was clutching his leg and groaning in pain.Theodore immediately walked up and asked, "Are you alright? Can you stand?"The person on the ground turned to look at Theodore.When Theodore saw his face, he was shocked. He had seen this person before.This was Yerick, a friend of Rosalie's. He had met Yerick at the hospital when Sebastian was hurt. Rosalie had stayed at the hospital as well to take care of Sebastian.Why was Yerick here?Yerick, seeing Theodore, seemed to recognize him as well. "Oh, it's you?"Yerick was grimacing, appearing to be in great pain. "It hurts. My whole body hurts. It feels like my bones are broken."Theodore hadn't expected to run into Yerick here, let alone hit him with his car."Can you stand? I'll take you to the hospital," Theodore offered. Aurora, who was still sitting in the passenger seat, looked through the windshield an
When Yerick heard the name "Rose", he frowned. "I'm a little curious. How did I bump into you here and end up getting hit? Do you even know how to drive?""You jaywalked, and you're blaming me for hitting you?" Theodore replied. "I have a dashcam. Want to check and see if you broke the law?""I was in a hurry," Yerick said, sounding aggrieved. "Besides, you're the one driving. Don't you know how to give way to pedestrians?"Theodore couldn't be bothered to argue with Yerick, and merely said, "I'll take you to the hospital and pay for your medical bills. The rest is on you."Yerick had darted across the street, and Theodore hadn't been able to stop in time. Even if there was any fault, it was shared equally. By getting him to the hospital and covering the costs, he had already done his part."You're so cold-hearted. No wonder Rose left you and married another man. You deserve it!"Theodore frowned, and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "What did you say?"Yerick, despite
She and Justin's baby must have really wanted to survive, which was why it tried so hard to stay in her body.For all she knew, it was Justin staying by her side in another way.Rosalie caressed her stomach while covering her lips as she sobbed brokenly. This time, she didn't cry merely due to sorrow, but because she saw a ray of light amidst the hopelessness, and Justin's shadow within the light.Theodore gently patted her through the sheets. "Rose, you still have me and Steve. We'll stay by your side. I'll also take care of the baby in your stomach. I won't let him grow up without a father."Rosalie looked at Theodore, tears streaming down her face. She held his hand tight, words unspoken in her heart that she didn't know how to express.After being under observation in the hospital for two days, the doctors made sure that she was physically fine and Theodore took Rosalie home.Rosalie was ready to see Steve.She had been emotionally unstable and didn't dare to see Steve not b
When Rosalie opened her eyes, she saw the ceiling above her. The mild scent of disinfectant drifted in the air and tears filled her eyes."Rose, you're finally awake."Theodore heaved a sigh of relief and held her hand tight.Rosalie was still in a daze, her eyes empty as she lay silently on the bed."Rose, you're pregnant. The doctor said that the fetus is two months old."Rosalie's brows furrowed. She turned around and gaped at Theodore in shock. "What…what did you say?""It's been less than 50 days since you disappeared, but the fetus is more than 50 days old, so I think this baby…" Theodore didn't go on, but the meaning behind his words was clear.Rosalie caressed her stomach and recalled what Justin said in her dream about their love continuing. He was caressing her stomach at that time. As it turned out, it was a foreshadowing of what was going to happen."It's Justin's child," she said agitatedly.Sebastian had a vasectomy, and the timing wasn't right. The baby was cert
"Silly girl, it isn't your fault. It was my own choice. If I were given another chance, I'd still be willing to be with you. Moments spent with you were happier than my entire lifetime. I should be the one saying sorry. I didn't protect you well and let you get hurt."Justin felt so real, as though he were still alive. Rosalie could sense the tears in his eyes and feel his every breath."Justin…" Rosalie broke down crying."Rose," Justin said, holding Rosalie's hand. "It's time for me to leave. I'm sorry, but I can't stay by your side.""No, Justin!" Rosalie grabbed his hand and cried agitatedly, "You said earlier that you're mine and I'm yours. You said you'd never leave me! You can't go back on your word!""Rose," Justin said, tears streaming down his face. "Although my body is no longer with you, my soul will always be in your heart. No matter where you go, you'll bring me with you. As long as you think of me, I'll live on."He gently pulled Rosalie up to her feet, his face ha
Warm sunlight shone on Rosalie's face, making her feel toasty.She opened her eyes slowly and found herself in a warm embrace. Before her was a face that was so achingly familiar, her breath caught.He looked at her affectionately with his deep, dark eyes, caressing her face with his hands. His coarse hands rubbed against her tender cheeks, and it all felt so real."Justin," Rosalie called out tentatively and very cautiously, suppressing the emotions stirring in her heart. She almost whispered it, for fear that her dream might come to an end.Justin flashed her a doting smile. "Why are you crying? Did you have a bad dream?""Bad dream?" Rosalie looked around her. She and Justin were in their room.Everything felt so real. She felt so happy and warm, and all those scary things that had happened felt like nothing but a nightmare.Rosalie started tearing up as she dove into Justin's arms. "Justin, I was so frightened! Turns out that it's just a dream. I thought I lost you."She wo
In the deep of the night, Rosalie dreamt of Justin once again.They were walking down the red carpet, filled with joy—but the next moment, a bullet pierced mercilessly through his heart, snatching his life from him. She saw him lying in a pool of blood.She screamed and struggled with all her might, but she was helpless. Nightmares haunted her night after night."Justin, Justin! Don't die! I'm begging you, don't die! Don't kill Justin, I'm begging you, don't kill him, don't! Ahhh!" Rosalie screamed as her eyes flew open.In the next second, she found herself in a warm embrace. "Rose, I'm here. It's just a nightmare, a nightmare."Although it was a nightmare, it really did happen.Rosalie felt the warmth of his arms and burst out crying."I caused Justin's death, I harmed him! If…if I made him leave, if I didn't go to the airport to find him, he would still be alive and well. Why did I go and find him? Sebastian was right, everyone who loves me ends up in a terrible plight. I cau
Rosalie held the rings tightly in her hands and put them at her chest, sobbing, "Justin, Justin…"She collapsed on the bed, dissolving into tears."Rose, I know you're in a lot of pain, but I want you to know that you still have me and your son. Don't you want to see Steve? He really missed you."The mention of Steve made Rosalie come alive, but only for a split second.She gripped her collar tight. "I need some time to be alone. I don't want him seeing me like this."She didn't want to scare her son. She was afraid that she might break down before Steve."Okay. If you need me to be by your side, just call me."Rosalie shut her eyes and curled up into a ball, ignoring Theodore's offer.Theodore sighed and pulled the sheets up over her before leaving the room.When he was walking down the corridor, his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered the call."Mr. Spencer, we've dealt with Sebastian's corpse."Theodore clenched his fists so ti
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