Late at night, a car stopped in front of a luxurious private villa. Sydney parked at the entrance, but didn't get out for a long time.It wasn't until someone knocked on the car window that Sydney regained her senses, and she lowered the window.Outside the car, Geoffrey looked at her with a big smile. "You came. I've been waiting for you for a long time."He opened the car door for Sydney like a gentleman, but Sydney knew all too well what kind of person he was.She grabbed her bag, and got out of the car.Geoffrey extended his hand. "Let me carry your bag.""No need," she said, walking directly into the villa.Geoffrey followed, asking, "Have you had dinner?""Yes.""Would you like some supper?""No, thank you."Sydney headed straight upstairs.Once they reached the room, Sydney put her bag aside and started undressing.Geoffrey stood there, arms crossed and watching her.Halfway through undressing, Sydney said coldly, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take
Sydney's heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller ID. She reached out to snatch her phone back, but Geoffrey raised it high."Your husband is calling. Do you want to answer it?" Geoffrey asked."Geoffrey, give it back." Sydney looked at him sternly.Geoffrey snorted. "You want to answer it? Let me help you with that.""No!" Sydney tried to stop him, but it was already too late.Geoffrey did it on purpose. He swiped to answer the call and even turned on the speaker.Sydney's face turned pale, and soon, Wesley's voice came through the phone. "Hey, Sydney, are you asleep?"Sydney glared at Geoffrey. She was so angry that she was trembling.Geoffrey smiled smugly at her, clearly enjoying himself. Then, he placed the phone by the pillow and lowered his head to kiss Sydney. He was deliberately trying to get her to make a sound.Sydney clenched her eyes shut, using all her strength to push Geoffrey away.On the other end, Wesley couldn't hear Sydney's response and sounded worrie
After everything ended, Sydney turned to the side weakly and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes.Geoffrey hugged her from behind, kissing her shoulder."Sydney, wouldn't it be better to get a divorce and come back to me? This way, you wouldn't have to worry about our two families going to war. That man can't stop you from remarrying."Sydney weakly closed her eyes. "What will it take for you to let me go?" Even if she divorced, she couldn't possibly marry Geoffrey."I don't want to let you go. You were always my woman. I truly love you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have raised our child all these years.""So, no matter what, you won't let go? You're going to cling to me for the rest of your life, is that it?" Sydney asked this question with a heart full of despair.Geoffrey sighed. "Sydney, why can't you forgive me? My love for you is no less than Wesley's. Don't you want to make it up to Sebastian? Don't you want to tell him the truth?""Don't bring him up!" The mention of
Sydney stared at Yvonne for a long time without speaking, just silently watching her.Yvonne had spoken such harsh words without understanding the situation.If it had been in the past, Sydney would have immediately fought with the girl, but now, she suddenly felt too tired to argue about anything.Seeing Sydney's silence, Yvonne frowned. "Why aren't you speaking? Are you feeling guilty? Did I hit the mark?""Miss Carter, since you stopped me here, that means you've investigated me. Did you find out why I'm involved with your father? Do you really think I seduced him?" Sydney asked."Isn't that the case?" Yvonne said angrily. "You're so old already! Why are you so shameless?"Sydney smiled. "I'm old? So, according to you, it's okay for younger women to seduce your father, but it's not for older ones?""Stop twisting my words," Yvonne snapped. "Regardless, it's wrong for you to seduce my father. You caused my parents to divorce. You're nothing but a homewrecker. I really don't un
"Is that what you really think, Dad?""And what about you?" Geoffrey asked. "You're not dumb. You and Sebastian have hidden some things from me. You should know better than anyone who Rose truly loves."Yvonne suddenly fell silent. Geoffrey raised his hand and patted her on the shoulder. "Vonnie, you wouldn't want to see your brother get hurt, would you?""But what if my brother is destined to get hurt? What should be done if he ultimately finds out that Rose is someone he cannot love, and that he can't acknowledge her child as his own? What, then?" Yvonne asked.This secret was known only to her and Christopher, and her father didn't know about it yet."Why does your brother need to know that Rose is someone he can't love? Sometimes, being a little foolish in love isn't a bad thing."Geoffrey thought of his own relationship with Sydney. Sydney was someone he couldn't love, either. She was Wesley's wife, yet he still wanted her desperately, even going so far as to threaten her ju
Yvonne's words angered Geoffrey. He wore a cold expression, like a wild beast ready to break free."Yvonne, get out of here! From now on, you are not allowed to come back without my permission!"Geoffrey turned to leave.Yvonne immediately scrambled to her feet.She was also enraged, and shouted recklessly, "Dad, you're too much! You used my mom, then cast her aside and divorced her to be with another woman! How can you live with yourself doing that?"Geoffrey stopped in his tracks and clenched his fists. Gritting his teeth, he asked, "Did your mom send you to find me?""It has nothing to do with Mom!" Yvonne replied. "I just want to know what kind of woman seduced you! I didn't expect it to be an old woman!"If it were a young girl, Yvonne wouldn't have been so surprised. Although she would still be angry, at least there would be a reason for her father's infatuation. However, finding out that her dad was with an old woman who already had a husband and children was simply too
Yvonne ran out, crying. After getting into the car, she leaned on the steering wheel and cried for a long time. Her eyes were red and swollen.Why was Geoffrey like this? Why?She thought her father was just strict and harsh toward others, but she never expected him to be a madman. He even treated his own family this way.She was his daughter, but he almost choked her to death just now.Yvonne's neck was red and painful. In fact, she was still struggling to breathe.She drove to her grandmother's house, and as soon as she entered, she cried out, "Grandma, Grandma!"She wanted to tell her grandmother about what happened and get some support.Xyla heard the commotion and quickly came downstairs. "Vonnie, what brings you here?""Mom!" Yvonne threw herself into Xyla's arms and hugged her tightly, crying, "Mom!""What happened, Vonnie? Why are you crying so hard?" Xyla hurriedly held her daughter.Suddenly, she noticed the red marks on Yvonne's neck. It seemed as if Yvonne had bee
"Mom, don't you feel wronged at all? How can you endure this?" Yvonne said.She couldn't imagine how her mother had managed to endure all this over the years."Even if it was for the sake of love, love isn't supposed to be so one-sided! Isn't love about mutual giving? But what has Dad given you?"All these years, Geoffrey had been taking from Xyla, while Xyla willingly let him. She had been really foolish."Vonnie, I know you feel sorry for me, but I made these choices. Love can take many forms, not just one. I'm willing to be that fool. Over the years, your dad hasn't loved me, but I can't find fault with him in any other way. Perhaps this is also a punishment from heaven because I insisted on marrying a man who didn't love me. I'll just have to bear this suffering myself.""Why should you be punished? Dad married you for his own reasons. If there's punishment to be dealt, it should be to him!""Vonnie, he's still your father. No matter what happens between him and me, he has ne
"That's right. I thought that way too at first," Aurora said coldly. "I hate you so much for what you did. I did want you to rot in prison here, but then I thought about it more carefully. If you go to prison, won't Rosalie become single again? At that point, Theo will have a thousand reasons to get back together with her, and he'll abandon me."So, after thinking it through, I decided that you shouldn't go to prison and should stay by Rosalie's side forever. That way, Theodore won't have the chance to reconcile with his ex-wife. I'm actually doing this for my benefit more than yours."On the other end of the line, Sebastian was silent for a long time.Aurora's words made a lot of sense, but Sebastian, who was naturally suspicious, still couldn't fully trust her."Why should I trust you? If you're lying to me and this was a trap set up for me, wouldn't that mean I'm falling right into your hands?" he argued. "You don't have to trust me," Aurora said, "but once Theo leaves the hospital
Aurora needed a very thorough examination, so it would take some time. Theodore had been accompanying her, though he seemed distracted and his thoughts kept drifting back to Rosalie's sorrowful face."Theo, do you need to see a doctor for your face?" Aurora asked, concerned. "It's all swollen.""It's fine," Theodore replied, "I'll be fine in a couple of days. Don't worry. Right now, you're the most important."Hearing what Theodore said warmed Aurora's heart."By the way, Theo, didn't you promise me last night that you'd get checked today too? Why don't you go now? We can do the check-up together.""It's fine. I'll stay with you and wait for you to finish first.""Theo, you should go first. We'll both need to wait for the results anyway, so don't waste time." Aurora was very concerned about Theodore's health.She wanted him to be well. After all, he was going to be her future husband. If both of them were in poor health, how could they manage?To reassure Aurora, Theodore gently patted
The significance of Theodore verbally acknowledging her meant more than if they had slept together a hundred times. It meant that he genuinely accepted her from the bottom of his heart. All her efforts had not been in vain.Although Theodore wasn't her first man, she had just lied to him—this wasn't her first time doing it with a man at all.In fact, she was quite experienced. Aurora was far from the pure image she presented. She used to seek thrills often, enjoying the feeling of making men lose control.When she was with Theodore, she had only pretended to be inexperienced.Now that she was in love with Theodore, she realized just how blind she had been in the past. What were those other men? They had no money, no looks, and no build. Theodore was different, and she was determined to hold on to him tightly.When it came to winning over men, Aurora considered herself to have some skills and techniques.-Sebastian walked to a secluded area. He opened his hand, revealing a piece of pap
Theodore closed his eyes and held Aurora in his arms tightly. He cupped the back of her head and planted a kiss on her forehead."Aurora, you're always so considerate of me. I really don't know what to say.""Then don't say anything."Aurora lifted her head and kissed his chin. "Theo, as long as you want me, I'll always be your woman. As your woman, I'm willing to do anything for you. I just want you to be happy."Blushing, Aurora nestled herself back into his arms, hugging him once more. Her hand rested on his chest, then slowly moved up to stroke his face.In Aurora's eyes, she already considered herself Theodore's woman. They had progressed this far; if that didn't make her his woman, then what would?Theodore lifted Aurora in his arms, carried her into the ward, and carefully laid her down on the bed."Aurora, I understand what you said to Sebastian earlier was for my sake, but it was also a bit unnecessary.""Why was it unnecessary?" Aurora asked, puzzled."You forgot that Sebast
In this world, perhaps only Aurora was willing to go along with his lies, cooperating in his deceptions and accommodating him.No matter how strange his requests were, she accepted them wholeheartedly without ever questioning him.Why was Aurora so good to him? She was so good that it pained him. Maybe one day, he would truly fall in love with her."Mr. Carter, I have a few words I'd like to say to you," Aurora said. She gently released Theodore's hand and walked over to stand in front of Sebastian.Theodore grabbed her hand. "Don't go over there.""Theo, I just want to say a few words to him. Don't worry. I trust Mr. Carter would never harm me here, especially since this is a hospital with so many security cameras. He couldn't do anything reckless."The mention of "security cameras" seemed to carry an implied meaning.At that time, Sebastian had barged into Theodore's house and damaged the security cameras.Sebastian understood the implication in Aurora's words and let out a cold laug
"I got it, Theo. I won't do this again. I'm sorry. I didn't know I shouldn't say those things. I don't have much experience in this area, and I was worried you'd be disappointed in me."Theodore lifted his hand to gently stroke her hair. "Don't talk about these things again, and don't see Rosalie again either.""What about you? Will you still see her?" she asked.Theodore fell silent for a moment.Seeing his lack of response, Aurora knew his answer.Perhaps even Theodore wasn't certain whether he would see Rosalie again. Maybe he would run into her, maybe he would seek her out, or maybe Rosalie would shamelessly look for him—who knew?In any case, it was all Rosalie's fault. Theodore was surely blameless.Suddenly, Sebastian was standing outside the ward and called his name. "Theodore." When Theodore turned around and saw Sebastian, his brows furrowed.Aurora appeared a bit fearful. "Theo, why is he here?"Theodore squeezed her hand gently. "Aurora, don't worry. Just stay here and do
Rosalie felt utterly miserable. She didn't want to say anything and released Sebastian's arm. She took a few steps back, overwhelmed by her emotions."Rose." Sebastian supported her, pitying her. "Let me take you back to rest. You shouldn't stay here. Let's go.""I'm not leaving. I need to stay here with him." Rosalie's gaze shifted toward Justin's direction.Though Theodore had caused her heartache, the most important matter now was Justin. Theodore no longer mattered; whatever he did with Aurora was his own business.She just wanted Justin to wake up.Rosalie anxiously stood by the glass doors of the ICU, her gaze filled with worry and helplessness. The ICU was filled with a sterile chill, with only the beeping of machines breaking the stillness inside.She looked at Justin lying motionless on the bed, his face pale and lifeless.Rosalie clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh, but she felt no pain. Her focus was entirely on the scene before her.Suddenly, Jus
Rosalie choked up as well. Tears welled up in her eyes; though she stubbornly held them back, unwilling to be vulnerable in front of him.When she first married Sebastian, their union hadn't been genuine, but things had spiraled one step at a time. Now, it was completely out of control and impossibly tangled.Theodore suddenly reached out weakly, attempting to touch Rosalie's shoulder."Don't touch me!" She slapped his hand away and gave him another hard slap.Theodore's already swollen face became even more so. For some reason, Rosalie felt even angrier seeing him like this. Watching him take her hits without a word and without fighting brought her no sense of satisfaction. He wasn't even dodging. It only made her feel angrier and more hurt."Theodore, what's this supposed to mean?" Rosalie clenched her fists, pounding against his chest. "Why aren't you fighting back? I hate you! Why do you have to do this? Why can't you just stay away from me? Why?""Enough!" Finally, Aurora couldn't
Rosalie wasn't going to let him trample all over her. Did he enjoy seeing her in pain so much? If that was the case, then they could suffer together!Theodore stared silently at Rosalie for a full ten seconds before finally speaking to Aurora. "Aurora, let go.""Theo, what are you planning to do?" Aurora clutched his shirt tightly, worried. "Don't listen to her! She's crazy! We should go."Aurora tried to pull Theodore away, but he refused to leave. He gently pushed her aside, carefully moving her to a safe spot. "Aurora, stay here and don't move."With that, he walked up to Rosalie."Theo." Aurora tried to follow him, but Theodore turned around and said, "Stay right there. If you don't, I won't pay you any mind."Theodore's tone was exceptionally serious, scaring Aurora into stopping in her tracks. She stayed put, her wide, tearful eyes fixated on him, unsure of what to do.Theodore then turned back to Rosalie. "Rose, now…"Before he could finish, Rosalie slapped him hard across the