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
"I'm going to tell Grandma about this. She'll be able to deal with Dad. Just wait and see! I won't let this go easily!"Yvonne's teeth were clenched in anger, and Xyla felt a chill. She feared that if Yvonne continued to be this angry, one day she would turn into Geoffrey. After all, she carried his blood.Over the years, Xyla had worked hard to accompany and educate Yvonne, not wanting her to become like Geoffrey. Even after the divorce, that was still the case.Xyla held Yvonne's hand and said, "Vonnie, listen to me. Don't tell your grandma about this.""Why not?" Upon hearing this, Yvonne instinctively became angry. "Mom, are you trying to protect them? Why do you want to protect those scumbags? Why?""Vonnie, calm down." Xyla grasped Yvonne's shoulders tightly. "I'm not protecting them, but you.""Mom, what do you mean? Why do you think so?""Vonnie, I just don't want you to be filled with hatred. You know your grandma's temper. If you tell her, she'll definitely do someth
Although Yvonne felt indignant for her mother and wanted to say it out, she decided to keep it to herself and not tell Chandra about it, since her mother herself begged her.Chandra kept trying to prob, whether knowingly or unknowingly, but Yvonne didn't say anything. Eventually, Chandra stopped asking and took it as her granddaughter coming to visit her mother.A few days passed.Geoffrey was at his desk looking through some documents. As he flipped through the files, he was talking over the phone with a sweet smile on his face. Not even a single word on the document registered in his mind.His entire mind was occupied by the voice over the phone."We should enjoy some couple time. Which country do you want to travel to?"Syd, don't be so impatient. Calm down. I just want to spend couple time with you outside, hang out at a place where no one knows us for a few days. If you don't want that, I'll handpick the location."Syd, be good. Don't curse."That settles it, then. I'll ch
Geoffrey looked intently at his ex-wife. After a long time, he went to the couch and sat down with his legs crossed, looking ever so relaxed and laid-back."You should know why I did what I did, shouldn't you?""She told the truth, which angered you. I didn't expect you to be so petty and unreceptive to truth coming from even your very own daughter."Geoffrey's brows furrowed as anger burned in his chest.He smirked. "Xyla, you should know this. If she weren't my daughter, do you really think she'd still be alive and well enough to complain to you? It's precisely because she's my daughter that she is still well and alive right now."Xyla shook with anger. "Do you mean to say that she should in fact be grateful that you didn't kill her?""She's my daughter, but we're also divorced. Whatever I do, no one has the right to comment. What does Yvonne know? You've thoroughly spoiled her and made her a princess with a quick temper.""Haha…" Xyla laughed. "I spoiled Vonnie? Or should I r
Night fell as rain poured down to the earth. Raindrops fell like silver streaks across the dark sky.In the quiet room, Theodore stood by the window, staring at the raindrops trickling down the glass as melancholy overwhelmed him.Under the dim lighting, his handsome face looked even more charming amidst the rain.His eyes were deep and incisive, like a gemstone glittering in the night sky, reflecting the endless pain and sorrow he was feeling with sharp clarity.His brows were slightly furrowed, as if in deep thought. He felt just like a profound riddle that was difficult to solve, as if countless secrets lay underneath those eyes of his.He stood tall and towering, as resilient as a mountain, and exuding an air of authority with his imposing figure.Yet, sorrow shone in his eyes, clouding his features with a layer of melancholy and gloom. It felt as though he found solace in the quiet, rainy night.He held a photograph in his hand, a picture of Rosalie's smiling face. She was
"Theo, no, no!"Please, no! Theo, where are you?"No!" Rosalie's eyes flew open, but all she could see was an unfamiliar, quiet room.Her heart raced as she sat up swiftly, beads of sweat rolling down her temple. Lingering fear shone in her eyes.She had a bad dream in which Theodore…died.In her dream, he kept staring at her with resentment in his eyes right before he died, as if she had done something gravely wrong.How could it be? He was probably…doing well right now, and probably had completely forgotten about her.He refused to see her or even call or text her.He didn't want their baby.That man was heartless! Why should she be thinking about him every day, even to the point of dreaming about him at night?Rosalie turned her head to look outside the window. The sun was already shining brightly.The city was stirring awake. The morning sunlight streamed in through the curtains and shone into the room, warming it up gently.The door suddenly opened with a bang as Seb
Breakfast was a feast that Sebastian prepared himself. He was helping Rosalie with her confinement, and was doing a very meticulous job with it. He was constantly worried about her catching a cold or getting hungry.Rosalie had thought that the real challenge came after childbirth, since taking care of an infant was no easy task. The baby would be crying all the time, and she would have to coax it to sleep and change his diaper.Rosalie was fully prepared to lose sleep over taking care of her baby. She didn't even care about preserving her image and appearing disheveled in front of others.What she didn't expect was to not have many chances to do all she was prepared to do. Each time the baby cried, Sebastian would immediately rush to the infant room to carry the baby and put him back to sleep. Rosalie didn't have much breastmilk, and her milk alone wasn't sufficient for the baby. As such, they used formula milk to supplement the baby's feedings. Each time Sebastian prepared the
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
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