Rose's face turned away at the touch that ended up frozen in mid-air. She should have given Theo one chance to fix the misunderstanding between them. But the new reality she found in the back garden made Rose's decision that day. There was no way Rose could change Theo into the shape she wanted him to be. Theo would still be Theo, never like Sean.
Rose took a deep breath. "The divorce papers, please sign them immediately," Rose said, not caring how Theo's face finally darkened. She just wanted to be free. She didn't want the next secret to be exposed when she chose to stay. "I can't wait any longer, Theo. Hurry up and get your signature," she continued, followed by a tug on the thick blanket that covered half of her body. "Why, Rose... why is divorce, divorce, and divorce all you have in your head?" As Theo loomed over the bedside, Rose knew it wasn't a good thing. Her husband's tone had changed too. What could Rose say, they were supposed to understandThat's right. Sean was lying helpless with torture lasting for weeks. The man didn't even understand what was happening. His consciousness was half lost and half returned. It was just silence without a hint of movement. "Fuck!" Theo swore loudly. Vladimir was playing too far away. His fucking face appeared with a contrived smile. His hand waving really made Theo sick. [Long time no see, Goddamn killer.] [Did you see who was there?] Vladimir turned to look at Sean. [Your brother, right?] He chuckled smoothing his tanned hair in front of the camera. [I'm giving you until tonight to come save him, or else... he'll also end up like your beloved sister.] [Don't bring weapons. There will be no mercy if I find out about it. Get ready. There are a few hours left. Your time starts now.] Theo's fists on the table tightened. His muscles were straining. He hissed with h
"No!" Rose's leg muscles felt weak. She moved backwards several times. Anything... Rose wanted something to help her stand on the two realities that jolted her simultaneously. Rose knew Sean was just a part of the past, but how far Rose would go to brush it off. The reality was that she couldn't stop caring. Not thinking about anything was not the reaction of Rose's body. She tried to understand, even though she would never understand. Everything that was interconnected would always be unsolvably complicated. "You are very presumptuous to enter my room without permission." Rose's breath caught at the jerking voice. Her husband was angry, but Rose's balance was on the brink. Barely able to stand up straight, Theo's single touch helped her to become solid. "Sean's hurt," Rose murmured, not caring about the hissing tone that echoed earlier. She knew only Theo could be expected to pull Sea
Theo towered. Heading for the operating table where it all began because of his thirst for murderous passion. One of Rose's chokes forced Theo to stop. "Are you going to go save Sean?" Her eyes rounded with hope. Theo swallowed to utter an answer that hung in the air. “Ya.” "I'm coming with you." He watched Rose's grip tighten around his wrist. "Back to the room," Theo said, trying to maintain composure. Pulling Sean out didn't mean he was going to let Rose in. Vladimir would certainly do everything he could to keep Theo trapped. Rose's desire would only add to the problem. "Go back to the room. You can trust me. Without you even begging. I will do it. I promise I will bring Sean back safe and sound." Always the look in Theo's ashes was the center of Rose's attention. The man spoke with his face down. Rose knew Theo was hiding everything from her. "I'm coming with you
A small movement from the bed provoked her to turn around just to see what Theo was doing. "Here you go." Two laptops... the man placed them on the surface of the big bed. Rose was speechless as she watched Theo's fingers drift over the keyboard and the screen display that further trapped Rose in incomprehension. She either didn't know Theo or was too blind to see ahead. "I can't let you go. But you can still see what I see later. You can't walk beside me, but my eyes. Yes, you can be my eyes." One laptop display showed parts of a dilapidated warehouse, one of which was the room Sean had been kept in. Rose turned her attention to the other laptop screen, where the wall of the room between them was recorded. Then everything went dark as Theo pulled the zipper of the leather jacket he was wearing up. The hidden camera would help Rose guide Theo through the steps. "Use this." Theo handed Rose a microphone and a small earphone, already
"Yes, I could... if that's the kind of reason you want." Rose wanted to say something like that. But the only action she could take was to give Theo a deep lick in lieu of words, which could not be spoken. Until Theo left, only the touch of lips became a gesture and burned in silence. Rose could not possibly express everything she felt, especially since she was still immersed in a big dilemma. Rose's breath came in ragged gasps, then put the listening device in her ear. Sitting back on the bed was Rose's main goal. Two monitors were in view. One indicated the presence of several guards in each of the recorded rooms—passing by, among them never separated from their firearms. The second monitor had a black display, which meant Theo was traveling towards the outdated warehouse. Rose had to be patient with the camera lens that was not yet open for her. [Test. Rose, do you copy?] Rose gasped. Theo's questio
"Can't you just go straight to where Sean's being kept without passing through there?" Rose pursed her lips in anxious expectation. She had to fight the pause Theo gave before the man answered. [I can't. The victims were already scattered when I was at the front gate. They won't stay silent."] [Where should I go right now?] [Hurry, Rose! Before they disperse.] "Right." Theo's insistence almost made Rose unable to think. Her one word was something that came out spontaneously. Rose closed her eyes, not daring to witness or even stare at Theo's displacement as he explored every dimly lit hallway. The clomping of feet and ragged breathing pitted each other. The faint tones of strangers talking blended with the sound of a door opening. [Come toward me, mother fucker.] Theo's baritone voice was clearly just challenging. Ne
"Please hold on, sir." Lion repeatedly turned his face away amidst the onslaught of driving focus, or simply gazed from the rearview mirror to make sure Theo's consciousness was still within reach of the master. Theo's face was pale, sometimes his throat moved up and down, or his lips more often closed and then opened silently. At first glance... those who didn't look closely would think the man was fine. The reality was far different. No matter how many wounds Theo had, all were covered almost perfectly by the black cloth wrapped around the body-the lower half was torn with holes. There were wet spots, and ones that had hardened after the blood had dried. "Hang in there, Mr. ...." Lion's tone was the first time the man was unable to condition. Theo's response was too little, barely any movement. Forcing Lion to stop the car and turn completely backwards. "Sir?" The skin of Theo's hands was cold. The closed eyes further ad
Not yet fully recovered from the aftermath of the reaction that almost destroyed the defense. Theo had to face the attacks of the previous two men. Successfully... as well as getting one shot lodged in the shoulder. Theo got up as his opponent lay unconscious. He leaned on anything that could support his body—struggling through any life—threatening situation. In front of the closed door. Theo slowly stepped into the place where Sean was trapped. The sound of screeching clashed with the grunts of a man in the corner of the room. "A murderer, is a murderer. That will never change." The silhouette of Vladimir's body refracted outside. Theo gave him a sharp, piercing stare. "What do you want?" he asked. However, a burst of thunderous laughter was all he got. At the same time, Vladimir quickly stood in front of Theo. "It's simple. Stop being a slave to the government and cooperate with me." Theo chuckled. "I
One day after Theo regained consciousness, Rose finally decided to return to her home, the place where she once lived alone next to her small restaurant. At the moment there wasn't much for Rose to do other than prepare to meet Theo at the hospital. Rose immediately drove her father's borrowed car. On the back passenger seat she placed a medium-sized box with several holes in it that was wrapped very beautifully. While beside her sat a cute little dog with curly hair and white color like cotton. Yesterday Rose had just bought the poodle breed at the pet shop. Intrigued. That was all that drew Rose's desire to bring home the poodle named Cocomelo. "We've arrived." Rose prepared a special backpack to carry Cocomelo on her shoulders, so that when she first entered the infirmary Theo would not immediately meet her Cocomelo but Rose would show him. And in her hand, she carried the medium-sized box and walked into the hospital. Not just daring, but Rose had already ob
Coming back from the bathroom, Rose thought she would be faced with the same situation. She had warned against it by waiting longer in the humid room until some of the noises from outside faded away. But everything Rose had expected was not true. The blood seepage on the floor when she opened the door was gone. Verasco's subordinates... even Verasco himself was nowhere to be seen, in his husband's infirmary. All that was left was Lion waiting very quietly, arms folded across his chest as he watched Theo silently. "Are you still here, Lion? Where are the others?" asked Rose as her steps brushed the side of the blanket. "Mr. Verasco asked me to wait here, Miss." Lion's attention was finally diverted. Rose suspected that he had just returned from the police station and helped Verasco and Elijah to execute George. As for George's betrayal, perhaps it was a wake-up call for Verasco to be more intolerant of hidden intentions and whatever else might happen. "Where is my
"On the way home. Their story has a happy ending. Finished." Rose closed the 400 pages book and placed it on the nightstand. Reading sweet stories had become her routine in the past few days. Rose smiled slightly at her husband's face who was lying so quietly. This morning the breathing apparatus had just been removed indicating Theo's condition was getting better after the bloody spear incident. Luckily, they immediately brought Theo to get the right treatment. Theo had to undergo surgery three times. He had lost a lot of blood and needed transfusions as soon as possible. Rose remembered that some arguments happened between them regarding Theo who had very step blood, even Verasco was helpless about it. Just a Wench .... That's what Verasco said at that time with a trembling tone of voice. Like he was so regretful. Really regretful, until finally Travis suggested the few people who were still left in Italy to bring some bags of Theo's blood that were taken two
"She's very good at acting." Rose whispered softly in Bridgette's face who had only come into view after the play had started. There was no need for Rose to ask where the woman had been, she could guess what the couple sitting next to her had been up to from the slightly disheveled appearance a few moments ago. "Yes. No wonder she's the lead. She's very pretty tho." Rose nodded in agreement as Bridgette whispered along. The students who were drafted to act out the drama on the wedding stage were really good. Their pronunciation and intonation were perfect, especially when they were blocking. Rose remembered things like that that her father often commented on when watching street theater. Until this moment Rose had not found her father's whereabouts. Rose looked at Theo for a moment. Her husband was too focused on watching the theater play. The sharp gaze and tightly clenched lips were very hot. Rose wanted to touch Theo but was prevented by the arrival of the w
Who would have thought that the two weeks since that day would feel so short as Rose's busy journey came to an end. It all seemed to be over in an instant, until in the shade of a large, luxurious building she stood. Smiling at her handsome husband whose black hair had grown into a neatly combed bun. The thick eyebrows and gray eyes were a perfect combination, plus the hot touch of lips that sometimes returned her smile, and so whispered the naughty words that the man would later plan after the party was held. There should be nothing for Rose to worry about at this point. Just carrying out the last vestiges of the plan that would lead her to an intact family, then waiting to see how Theo would fight for their happiness together. But as long as she was there. Occasionally moving her feet regularly—back and forth in turns with her arms wrapped tightly around her husband's neck. Rose didn't find anyone who might still bear a faint resemblance to her parents among the a
"Who did you come with?" Rose felt a touch on the top of her head and immediately broke away from Bridgette's embrace. Xelle smiled at her and it seemed as if the man had just gotten home from work. The long blue shirt on the body was slightly ruffled with half of the buttons open, so the reddish marks on the skin of Xelle's chest were faintly revealed. Rose understood... she had just guessed wrong. "I think my arrival has interrupted your fun," she said, not directly answering Xelle's question, but at the same time Rose received a light pinch on the arm as well as Bridgette's 'shut up' gesture. "I'll take Rose inside. Don't forget to take a shower after this, Axe. You're very messy. And one more thing, tell Edward in an hour to pick up Oracle and Campel at school." Already Rose had taken a step towards where Bridgette was leading her, instantly she froze in place remembering Theo in the car. "I can't stay long, Bridgette. Theo's waiting for me." "
"This many invitations, who will be at our event?" Rose's attention was fixed on Theo and the concorde sheet of paper in his hand. Occasionally she turned back to confirm the existence of a stack of invitations arranged in tiers, some of which were in the trunk of the car with the rest sitting on the passenger seat. The golden color of almost all the invitation paper gave a luxurious impression, especially the embossed writing on the surface added an elegant side. Rose liked it when she was fingering the parts of the letters that popped out. It felt like she had just pampered her fingers. "Is your name right there?" But instead of answering Rose's question, Theo asked her that very thing. "It is." For a moment Rose returned her attention to the invitation paper. O'Douglas. Her eyes searched carefully for the name on the back. Rose had never been allowed to bear the title 'O'Douglas' for the rest of her life, but this time Rose had mad
Mesmerized. That was one of Theo's main reactions the first time Rose stepped out of the dressing room in a creamy white wedding dress like a romantic bride. An interesting conclusion emerged as Theo gazed at Rose as if she were a gentle woman with twists and turns... so beautiful and pure. The woman's sweet smile was something Theo never imagined he would have in full. Rose was absolutely stunning draped in a dress that began its beauty by leaving Rose's neck exposed in a transparent and elegant way. On the chest, the fabric that fit Rose's body was decorated with lace in the shape of spreading flowers and leaves accompanied by a sprinkling of sparkling crystals. From the hip line, the dress was in full bloom, but not beyond the slightest portion that Rose had to lift when stepping slowly. The curve in Rose's lips grew wider as she stared straight ahead. It was in those moments that Rose realized her husband was still silent without saying anything, as if he
After a flurry of activity with several dresses and eye-catching accessories. Rose's decision was then made to meet Theo in the office after parting ways with the woman who introduced herself as Alma as well as the woman's two beautiful secretaries, Evalina and Lindsey. The accidental encounter with Lion, whose fever was much better, was the moment when the man told Rose the whereabouts of Theo—who he said he had accidentally seen when Lion walked around several corners of the mansion just to add to the heat. The man wanted to sweat, but Rose's real business was with Theo. She didn't need to worry about anything else, except that her husband might be busy again. That was also what Lion had said before saying goodbye, which eventually led to Rose standing in front of Theo's study door... wondering if she should knock before entering. She didn't. Rose wouldn't do that once the door had been opened. A dimly lit room showed her husband there. Focused on his laptop, while Esmeralda