Wife my

Chapter 401

Geoffrey was interested in money. He seemed to be greedier than other businessmen for wealth.

Christopher took out a small booklet from his pocket, and placed it on the table.

“What’s this?” Geoffrey asked.

“This is a planner. Inside is a place where you and Xyla can go to mend your relationship.” Christopher pointed to the cover. “It is a secluded place where once you and Xyla enter, you will be cut off from the outside world. You’ll live together there for half a month.”

Geoffrey chuckled. “That’s absurd. You want me and her to stay there? We’ll end up arguing within a day.”

“You’ll understand once you look carefully. It’s a good place. Many couples who have been there return with improved relationships.”

Geoffrey never believed in such things, but out of respect for Christopher, he picked up the brochure and read it.

Indeed, the place was special. There was no electricity, inte, nor signal, but the scenery was excellent. Once inside, they only had each other and must cooperate to get through things smoothly.

In Geoffrey’s opinion, it seemed like something young people would be into.

“It’s hard to book there. Reservations are already lined up for the next few years. I used my connections to get you in. Xyla’s coming back today. You should take her there in these few days,” Christopher said.

“Have you asked Xyla if she wants to go to such a place? She’s from a prestigious background, and has always enjoyed the most luxurious life. She can’t bear any hardship.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I asked her, and she wants to go. Her exact words were, after fifteen days, if we succeed, my future will be better. If not, I will divorce him.”

“Divorce?” Geoffrey’s brow furrowed involuntarily. “She said she wants to divorce me?”

“It depends on the result after fifteen days. Whether to divorce or reconcile is your decision. I’m just providing an opportunity. I don’t want to see Xyla living in a family where she’s unhappy and unwilling to return.”

After Christopher finished speaking, he stood up to leave. Before leaving, he added, “Fifteen days later, regardless of the outcome between you and Xyla, I will provide you with the resources you want. It’s up to you to decide.”NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

Geoffrey looked at the brochure in his hand again.

This whole thing was incredibly boring. Who came up with this?

But then he thought, if he could endure these fifteen days, he could gain insider resources, and maybe even get divorced.

This marriage was meaningless

now, anyway. Their relationship was

practically dead, and with his

rrent

wealth and status, losing the

Jacksons wouldn’t be a problem.

Xyla must have been mulling over divorcing him for a long time, and was only making a final effort for the sake of both families’ reputations.

Fine. He would give it a try. Regardless of the outcome, he wouldn’t lose anything.

In Geoffrey’s mind, interests always came first.

It was four in the afternoon.

Rosalie still couldn’t get through to Sebastian’s phone. She was

extremely worried and called

vel.ne

Yvonne, but Yvonne didn’t know

what was going on either. Content

belongs to

Yvonne said she would find out, but later, Yvonne said she also couldn’t contact Sebastian.

Rosalie didn’t know where to find Sebastian.

Just as she was anxiously waiting, Sydney drove over to pick her up.

Before getting into the car, Rosalie sent a message to Sebastian.

[Seb, no matter what happens,

et

Chapter 402

On the way, Sydney sensed that Rosalie seemed a bit off. “What’s wrong? From the look on your face, it looks like the sky is falling.” “I’m fine.” Rosalie smiled a small smile. “I’m just a bit nervous.”

Sydney certainly didn’t care about Sebastian’s affairs. Even if Rosalie mentioned it, it wouldn’t matter. Rosalie might even get scolded for it.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. Unless you said something to him to make him so drunk last night. He seemed pitiful.”

Rosalie’s heart trembled. She turned to ask, “You said he got drunk last night?”

Sydney nodded. “Yes. He came to my place late last night, drank who knows how much, stumbled around, talking nonsense. He said that you hate him, and you don’t want him anymore. He kept mentioning you, and even tried calling you. But he was so drunk he couldn’t even hold his phone steady, and then he realized you had blocked him, which completely shattered him.”

Hearing Sydney say these things, Rosalie couldn’t believe it. “Mom, did he really act like that?”

“Why would I lie to you? I didn’t tell you this morning, but after thinking it through, I changed my mind. It’s because of you that he acted this way, so I wanted you to know.”

“Mom, I don’t understand. He came to my place last night, and we made things clear. And I’m sure he doesn’t love me. You must have been mistaken. Maybe he drank so much because he was worried about Cynthia.”

“I’d know whether he drank so much because he was worried about Cynthia or because of you, because I saw it with my own eyes,” Sydney said somewhat impatiently. “Why don’t you believe what I say? He was calling your name. You say he doesn’t love you, but I don’t believe it. I insist that he loves you!”

Sydney was exasperated. Those two were making a fuss. She felt like punching someone, and not just one punch either!

Rosalie suddenly felt a surge of energy rushing from her abdomen to her brain. She grabbed the seat belt across her chest tightly and yelled, “Mom, please stop the car!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Stop the car! I’m going to be sick!” She covered her mouth, trying hard to bear the discomfort.

Sydney quickly stopped the car.

Rosalie unbuckled her seat belt,

vel

Othe door, and rushed out of

the car. She crouched down by the roadside, and threw up.

Sydney grabbed a bottle of water and got out of the car. Then, she went to stand by Rosalie’s side, gently patting her back. After Rosalie finished vomiting, Sydney handed her the water. Rosalie rinsed her mouth with mineral water, breathing heavily.

“Do you really hate Theo that much? I said he loves you, but you threw up!”

Even if Rosalie was pregnant and suffering from morning sickness, this vomit seemed too coincidental.

“It’s not because of that. I was just overwhelmed by what you said. Plus, I’m pregnant. It’s not because I hate him.”

“So you don’t hate him? Then why

did you block him? I don’t know what you said to him, but seeing him in that@tate last night, he must have been deeply hurt,” Sydney said.

Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Although she told herself not to sympathize with scumbags, this scumbag was her own son.

She didn’t perform her duty when he

was young, and didn’t do what a mother should do. If she were a competent mother and took care of him, cared for him, and educated him, perhaps he wouldn’t have become such a scumbag. Content

belongs to

Rosalie straightened up, inadvertently squeezing the mineral water in her hand. “I really don’t understand why he’d be so sad.”

“Because he cares about you. Because he loves you!” Sydney insisted.

Chapter 403

“Mom, please stop saying these things. He doesn’t love me!” Rosalie’s emotions were getting out of control. “If he loved me, he wouldn’t have divorced me for Cynthia, and he wouldn’t have repeatedly chosen Cynthia over me and caused me so much pain! He doesn’t love me at all!”

“Because Theo is a fool!” Sydney said. “He wasn’t loved as a child, so he doesn’t know what love is. He himself is confused! The purpose of meeting him today is so that you two can meet and talk it out, and for you to ask him whom he truly loves!”Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

“Did you arrange this meeting just so we can talk?” Rosalie took a few steps back. “No, I can’t meet him. I’ve already said we’re done with each other. I can’t…”

“You stop right there!” Sydney grabbed her arm. “Rosalie, why are you so cowardly? What’s wrong with meeting him?”

“He doesn’t love me! Meeting him would just be humiliating! He divorced me for Cynthia. No matter what, I can’t possibly salvage the relationship!” Though Rosalie’s heart was in pain, and though she loved Theodore, she knew she couldn’t go back to him.

“If he dares to humiliate you, I’ll beat him! Can you give yourself another chance? I know you’re suffering too. Seeing both of you in pain reminds me of my relationship with his father. But I still believe that you and Theodore are different from us back then. You have feelings for each other, so it’s different!”

Sydney’s words were usually icy, but this time her eyes held tears. She seemed to be recalling something, something that she had also suffered through. She could empathize with Rosalie.

“Feelings for each other?” Rosalie shook her head desperately. “So what? If that made a difference, Cynthia wouldn’t be in the picture. Mom, I’m sorry. Since you’re not the one talking to Theo today, I don’t want to go.”

“Rosalie!” Sydney called after her from behind. “Give him one last chance! At least listen to what he has to say. Think carefully. Has he ever explicitly said that he doesn’t love you?”

“It doesn’t matter what he says. What matters is what he’s done. I only care about actions,” Rosalie said weakly. “So, I don’t want to hear what he has to say anymore.”

“Rosalie, you coward!” Sydney

stepped forward angrily. “Even if he doesn’t love you, so what? Look at yourself! You’re hiding! Just because a man doesn’t love you, you can’t face him? Why can’t you stand confidently in front of him, and let him know that even if he doesn’t love you, you can still live well? By avoiding things, Cynthia will only laugh at you!”

“Mom, please don’t use these tactics on me!”

“I’m just stating the facts. The place we’re going today was originally your home. Theo already gave you that house. If you’re afraid to live there, ~ fine, but now you don’t even want to go there. Do you really want your child to be as cowardly as you? The house is clearly yours, but you dare not have it, and you’re even going to give it to Cynthia? Like mother, like child. Do you want your child to be like you in the future, just running away from things?”

Sydney’s words pierced Rosalie’s heart.

Rosalie lowered her head, and touched her belly with her hand. She closed her eyes, thought deeply for a moment, then turned around and walked slowly toward Sydney.

“I’m not running away, Mom. Since you’ve put it like that, I’ll go face him. But I believe the outcome won’t change.”

“No matter if it changes or not, at least you faced your problems and didn’t avoid it. He’s the father of your child. Do you plan to keep this from your child for the rest of your life? Or not telt him at all? Do you think what you’re doing is a display of strength? In reality, you’re letting down your child. Since you’ve chosen to have him, then he has the right to know some things,” Sydney said. Content

belongs to

Sydney patted her chest. “And I… I helped you hide this from everyone. I’m betraying my own conscience.”

Rosalie suddenly realized that Sydney had helped her keep this secret, and had taken on a lot of pressure. She was the grandmother of the child, but had to hide it from her own son. She had done everything she could.

“Let’s go.”

Sydney stepped forward, grabbed Rosalie’s wrist, and led her into the car.

Chapter 404

Rosalie returned once again to the house where she and Theodore used to live.

This was their former marital home, decorated according to her preferences. They had lived happily here for a year. The house remained unchanged, but the people who used to live there weren’t the same anymore.

As they entered the hall, Sydney noticed Wesley sitting on the sofa. “What are you doing here?”

Every time Wesley saw Sydney, he felt excited. He stood up, straightened out his suit, and stood straight. Even though he was middle-aged, he still took care of his appearance meticulously.

Without exaggeration, if Wesley were to appear in a drama as a matured and handsome president, just standing there could ignite a frenzy among older women.

“Sydney, why are you here too?” Wesley asked.

Sydney frowned, feeling a sense of foreboding. Just then, Theodore walked out. “I asked them to come.”

He appeared before everyone, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, a simple and classic attire that never went out of style. He looked slightly weary, but it didn’t stop him from looking handsome.

His gaze inadvertently fell on Rosalie, and their eyes met.

Rosalie instinctively wanted to look away, but recalling Sydney’s words, she lifted her head and met his gaze directly.

She couldn’t hide. She couldn’t be afraid. The more afraid she was, the more it meant she loved him. Since she was learning to let go of this love, she should first learn to face it.

“Why did you call your father here?” Sydney asked. “Wasn’t it agreed that the three of us would meet?”

“Mom, Dad.” Theodore looked at each of his parents in turn. “There’s something I need to tell you, so I wanted you both here as witnesses.”

“Is that so?” Sydney grabbed Rosalie’s wrist, and pulled her forward. “What is it? Spit it out quickly and don’t hide anymore. You only have one chance.”

Her words were full of implications. Theodore also understood what his mother was trying to tell him.

Rosalie felt nervous. Theodore had

gathered his parents together, so he must want

annoured thing

significant. Was it related

She didn’t know, and dared not imagine.

She wanted to step back, but Sydney held her waist, preventing her from retreating. She whispered in her ear, “What are you afraid of?” Rosalie’s heart was racing. She lifted her eyes and stole a glance at Theodore. She realized that he was also looking at her.

His gaze was deep, and she couldn’t quite fathom it. There seemed to be many emotions in his eyes.

Theodore opened his mouth as if to say something, but after staring at Rosalie for a while, he ultimately said nothing.

“Why are you just standing there?” Sydney urged. “Say what you have to say!”

“Let’s have dinner first, Mom and Dad,” Theodore said. “We’ll talk after dinner.”

He wanted to spend more time with Rosalie. It was rare that he got to see her. He found that he no longer harbored any anger toward her.

“Alright, then,” Wesley said. “Let’s go have dinner first.”

Rarely did Wesley get to have dinner with Sydney. Even with others around, as long as he could see her, he was very happy.

Sydney didn’t say much, either. The few of them went to the dining room, where the food was already prepared.

“Rose, these are all your favorite dishes.” Theodore piled some food on her plate. “Eat more.”

Rosalie didn’t understand what

Theodore was doing. Just yesterday,

they were in such a mess, but now, he was acting like nothing had happened.

She thought they would never see each© NôvelDrama.Org – All rights reserved.

next der again. Unexpectedly, the

next day, they met again. How much longer would she and Theodore continue to be entangled?

Whatever. She would leave soon anyway. Perhaps this really was the last time.

Chapter 405

“These are all Rosalie’s favorite dishes. Aren’t there any that I like?” Sydney seemed a bit jealous.

Theodore looked up, and said, “I don’t know what you like to eat, and you’ve never told me. We rarely eat together.”

He looked at his mother without much expression on his face.

Sydney stiffened.

Theodore continued helping Rosalie to the food.

Rosalie turned and stared at Theodore’s serious side profile, feeling a wave of bitterness in her heart. Did he have a split personality? Why else would he hurt her on one moment, and then be gentle on the next?

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” Rosalie put down her cutlery, stood up, and left the dining room.

“Theo, why are you so close to your ex-wife?” Sydney asked, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

He gave a lame excuse. “She has helped me before, hasn’t she? What’s wrong with me serving her some food? It’s just common courtesy.”

“She helped you?” Sydney asked. “Are you referring to the night she stayed up with me, looking into Regent Co.’s information?”

Seeing Sydney’s half-smile, Theodore furrowed his brow. “SK avoided being dragged down by Regent Co., and I shorted Regent Co., making a big profit. Isn’t that a huge favor?”

“Yes.” Sydney nodded. “That really is a big favor, but…”

“But what?” Theodore pressed.

Sydney raised an eyebrow. “Nothing, I just feel like someone’s a coward. He’s afraid to speak the truth, and instead always causes others heartache and sadness.”

With a snap, Theodore put down his cutlery and snarled, “Did Rosalie tell you this?”

Sydney raised two fingers, and pointed at her own eyes. “I saw it myself. Who is she so heartbroken and sad for? Is it for the dog?”

Wesley sat quietly on the side, not understanding their conversation very well, but also not daring to ask nor speak.

A few seconds later, Theodore suddenly stood up, turned around, and left the dining room.

Wesley was eating. Just as he

turned to look at his son to ask where he was going, Sydney pinched his thigh hard. Wesley screamed in pain. He turned back around and looked at his wife in shock This content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

“Shut up!” Sydney said word by word, her eyes full of warning. Wesley was scared, and silently lowered his head.

Rosalie had just opened the door of the washroom when a tall figure appeared in front of her. He pushed her back into the washroom and slammed the door shut with a bang.

By the time she reacted, her body was already pressed against the cold wall.

“What are you doing?” she asked angrily.

“My mom said you’re sad and heartbroken for me, is it true? I thought you didn’t love me. Why are you still sad?” Theodore said.

Sometimes, he couldn’t understand what Rosalie was thinking. He could feel the strong attraction between the two of them, and that she had feelings for him too.

But when he proposed a divorce, or

how she behaved when there were conflicts, plus her immediate

et

signature on the divorcement

and her saying that she was

unhappy in their marriage, she was expressing that she didn’t love him.

Since that was the case, she should be happy after the divorce. But… Why did he feel otherwise when observing her?

Rosalie didn’t know what Sydney had said to him, and felt a little flustered. She hurriedly said, “That’s what your mother said, not me. She got it wrong.”

“Is that so? Then tell me you don’t care about me at all, and you’ve never loved me before, not even a bit. I want you to say it yourself.”

Chapter 406

For as long as he could remember, she had never said that she didn’t love him. Neither did she say that she loved him.

This was in fact a mystery to him. It was his own guess that Rosalie didn’t love him and wasn’t happy.

Rosalie’s heart ached. She looked up at him and stared at him silently, her gaze sorrowful. Then, with a slight smirk, she asked, “Don’t you find yourself hilarious for asking me that question now? What exactly do you want?”

“I want to know what you feel about me. I want the truth.”

Theodore rested his palms on both sides of her face, circling her in his arms as he drew her. He was much taller than she was, and had to bend his neck down low to be near her.

“So, tell me now. What exactly do you feel about me? I want the truth.”

Theodore didn’t understand Rosalie, and she didn’t understand him either.

They didn’t understand each other. There seemed to be a barrier that urgently needed to be broken, but there was a fear in doing so. Keeping things like this would only result in more and more misunderstandings.

“You want the truth, is that it?” Rosalie asked. “Would telling you the truth change anything?”

“If you don’t tell the truth, who would know how things would end? Rose, you’re hiding way too many things from me. Right now, I want you to tell me everything, be it what you truly feel about me or anything other secrets you’re keeping from me.”

Theodore felt like a fool, being the last to find out about things regarding Rosalie. Even Sebastian, an outsider to them, knew about it earlier than he did.

Rosalie looked down helplessly.

This man was still holding himself back despite wanting to know what she felt.

He didn’t dare to give her any promises, but demanded to know what she felt about him after they got divorced. He was simply laughable.

“I can tell you everything, but on one condition.”

“What is it?” Theodore asked.

“Don’t be so eager. You definitely won’t be able to do it.”

There were some things which she felt confident of predicting the results of.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

“How would you know if you don’t say it out loud? I can give you whatever you want,” Theodore said confidently.

He had everything in the world, and even if he didn’t, he would get it for her, as long as she told the truth.

“Really?” Rosalie almost believed Theodore, given his unequivocal promise. However, her rationality held her back from falling for his words. “Of course. Tell me, what’s the condition?”

Rosalie looked up at him, and said calmly, “The condition is that you split up with Cynthia and cut off all ties with her, and never see her ever again.”

Theodore was stunned as shock registered in his eyes. He thought he must have heard her wrongly. “What did you say?”

“I’ve said it very clearly, you heard it for sure.” Rosalie refused to repeat herself She could tell from the

shock in Theodore’s eyes that he couldn’t even handle hearing the

question itself.

“Have you gone mad?” Theodore said with furrowed brows. Frustration flashed past his eyes. “Why would you ask for something like that?”

“Well, I just did,” Rosalie said flatly.

“condition. Can you do it? is

If you can,

I’ll tell you every But

if you can’t, there’s no need for you to know everything anyway.

“Rosalie Young,” Theodore gripped her shoulders tight and drew his face nearer to hers, and snarled forcefully, “Don’t play me for a fool.”

“I’m not, I’m being absolutely

serious. You divorced me for her, but

now, you want to know how I feel about you and what I’m hiding from you. In that case, you’ve got to pay the price. I can’t just let you have your way.”

She couldn’t let him just do as he pleased all the time.

Chapter 407

Theodore’s grip tightened with each passing second, but slowly, he started to release his grip over her shoulders.

“Do you really want me to cut off all ties with her?”

“This isn’t a matter of what I want. I simply raised a condition. Whether you can do it depends entirely on you,” Rosalie said.

She knew Theodore would never be able to do it, which is why she said it in the first place. She did it to shut him up. She would never tell him her true feelings and what she was hiding from him.

So what if she told him all that? He would still turn around and look for Cynthia, and she would once again be reduced to a pitiful worm without any secrets to herself.

Theodore looked intently at the woman right before him. His lips neared her cheeks and his hot breath caressed her skin, and he said hoarsely, “If I cut off all ties with her, will you be with me again?”

Rosalie gripped the hem of her shirt tight. She felt rather nervous, and turned her face away to avoid the hot air he was breathing at her.

“Don’t bluff me and don’t ask me such a meaningless question.”

“Why do you find it meaningless? Isn’t your condition for me to cut off all ties with Cynthia? Let me ask you, then. If I promise to do that, will you remarry me?”

The seriousness in Theodore’s tone made Rosalie’s heart leap. She turned around and stared at him.

What kind of response was that? She thought he would reject her immediately!

How could he possibly leave Cynthia? He wouldn’t even entertain that possibility.NôvelDrama.Org content.

However, he looked as though he was considering that option.

What exactly was going through Theodore’s mind? Was he confused? Did he want her to remarry him, or to humiliate her?

Rosalie grit herteeth, and said, “You haven’t even answered my question, and you’re asking me one. We’ll never arrive at a conclusion by going around in circles like this. Let’sğust not answer each other and let me

out

UMS

Rosalie shoved him hard, but Theodore remained unmoving.

She started to flare up. “What

et

exactly do you want? Theodore Spencer, you’re really annoying! When is going to get to your head that we’re divorced? Stop doing all these meaningless things! We cannot possibly be siblings or friends after we’re divorced!”

“Since you’ve asked me to cut ties with Cynthia, I’ll answer you right now.” Theodore said, pinching her chin to lift her head up so he can look straight into her eyes. “No.”

Rosalie’s mind buzzed, as though something had hit her. She had clearly expected this to be his.

เอนได้

answer to her request, but when she heard the answer from him personally, something in her broke.

After a short moment of stunned silence, Rosalie smiled and said, “Okay.”

Telling him to abandon Cynthia was equivalent to asking him to take his own life. She knew that he truly loved Cynthia.

When given a choice, he would always choose Cynthia. There had never been an exception to this rule, not even once! “Do you have nothing else to say?” Theodore snarled.

He was imploding from within upon hearing her emotionless acknowledgement, and he could feel his heart bleeding inside.

He would rather she called him a bastard than to see her so calm.

As if he were nothing but a stranger

hapter 408

Rosalie stared at him in silence.

What else did he want her to say? Did he want her to go crazy and yell at him uncontrollably? Would having a woman he didn’t love go crazy for him make him feel superior?

Theodore’s arms fell to his side. He took a few steps back, widening the distance between them, his eyes looking morose.

He said in a low voice, “Bring those secrets you refuse to tell me to your grave. You’re right. Even if you told me the truth, it wouldn’t change anything.”

Rosalie clenched her fists, feeling anger rise in her chest. She felt like a fool being toyed by him, letting him have his way with her. He gave her hopes and then dashed them so heartlessly, sending her straight to emotional hell.

He was always like this, toying with her feelings and then pretending to be innocent.

That was Theodore Spencer, a man she had loved for so many years.

Rosalie raised a hand, and slapped him. She slapped him hard.

Theodore felt his cheek go numb. He rubbed his cheek gently with his fingers and looked nonchalantly at the woman before him, whose eyes were burning with rage.

Rosalie’s palm went numb, too. After the numbness faded, she felt the bone-piercing pain set in. She really wanted to charge forward and tear him into pieces.

She turned around, opened the door, and left the washroom. If she didn’t flee, she might lose control of herself, leaving herself with no shred of dignity left.

Rosalie returned to the dining room. She looked completely fine, as if nothing had happened before. However, she didn’t want to stay there one bit. “Mom,” Rosalie said as she stopped next to Sydney.

Sydney noticed that Rosalie looked a little pale, slightly different from before she went to the washroom. “What’s the matter?”

“I want to go home.”

“Right now?” Sydney asked. “But we aren’t done eating yet.”

“Go ahead and finish the meal. I’ll head back by myself.”

She didn’t want to stay here a second longer.

“But how will you head back by yourself? I drove you here. Do you want to drive my car?”

“That works,” Wesley said eagerly. “Rose, drive your mom’s car. I’ll send your mom back once we’re done.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org – Content owner.

Wesley seized the opportunity the moment he saw one.

Sydney glanced coldly at him and said nothing, but her gaze was as sharp as a blade and seemed to pierce through Wesley’s heart. He immediately kept his mouth shut; he looked down, and kept quiet.

“Don’t worry about it,” Rosalie said with a smile. “I can hail a cab by the roadside.”

Sydney countered, “It’s quite a

a

get to where you

cab What happened to you that you have to leave right now

Theo went in as well. Did something happen between them?

Before Rosalie could answer Sydney, Theodore walked over.

Sydney and Wesley both noticed a red mark that resembled a palm on Theodore’s cheek.

They knew even without asking that Rosalie was the one who slapped him, and that something definitely happened between them just now. Sydney had a bad feeling about things.

Theodore walked over to the three of them, standing tall and confidently, as if nothing had happened. His face wasemotionless, and he

sued very

calm.

Sydney put down her fork, and said coldly, “Theo, do you have something to say?”

“Yes, I do,” Theodore stepped forward, and his gaze landed straight on Rosalie.

Rosalie avoided his gaze, her eyes

dim.

He had said it all in the washroom. His answer was

Chapter 409

Seeing Theodore staring at Rosalie in silence frustrated Sydney. She looked straight into Theodore’s eyes, and said harshly, “Just speak your mind!” How infuriating!

Wesley’s heart leaped as he looked at Sydney in surprise. He suddenly felt as agitated and emotional as a super fan meeting his idol face to face. So cool, so domineering-he loved it!

He suddenly had a strong urge to be dominated and controlled by her.

Who knew that Wesley Spencer, so smartly-dressed and with an air of authority to him, would have desires for such vices.

Despite being bound by rules of morality in society, man’s deepest animal instincts and desires would at times still rear its ugly head.

Some would desire to whip others, while others might desire to be whipped.

Rosalie suddenly realized that Sydney and Theodore didn’t seem to be in dire need to bond. Their relationship as mother and son seemed to have become very natural.

Whenever Sydney scolded Theodore, she didn’t seem the least guilty about her lack of care for her son in earlier days. Theodore didn’t seem angry at his mother’s rebuke, either.

Theodore looked down, his eyelashes hiding the sadness in his eyes.

“I’ll marry Cynthia in three days. I’ve asked someone to order her a wedding gown and prepare for the wedding ceremony. When I marry her, I hope all of you will be there. Of course, Rose need not be present, but she can if she wants to. Cynthia needs a bridesmaid, anyway.”

The silence after he spoke was deafening, and the air around them felt heavy.

Rosalie suddenly felt dizzy.

Whatever Theodore said was supposed to have nothing to do with her, and she shouldn’t care so much about it. Yet, each time he spoke, his words made her see him in a new light.

The cheek of him to say something like this!

Cynthia needed a bridesmaid, so she as his ex-wife could be one.

What nonsense was he spouting?

How could he bring himself to say something like this? The nerve!

Rosalie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, her expression indescribable as she was rendered speechless.

“You idiot! Are you mad?” Wesley slammed the table, and pointed a finger at Theodore. “You know very well that the Spencers will never accept that woman! The audacity of you to even propose this! Are you just going to disregard everyone in the family?”

Theodore looked exceptionally composed. Without even blinking, he said, “It’s precisely because I hold all I of you in high regard that I’m telling you about this and inviting you to my wedding. This is final. I’ll marry Cynthia whether you approve of it or not.”

“You…” Wesley was dizzy with rage, and suddenly at a loss for words. He looked at Sydney, but found her unusually quiet.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org – Content owner.

Sydney wiped her mouth elegantly with her napkin, and looked up with a smile. “Why didn’t you tell Grandma about this, then? Your grandmother should have been here today to hear your very shocking conclusion.”

Theodore said flatly, “Grandma is advanced in years, and it’s best not to tell her about this given her health. I trust you wouldn’t want her knowing something like this, either.”

“Something like this?” Sydney said, with what seemed like a smirk. “In that case, you also think that marrying Cynthia is something shameful and will anger Grandma to death.”

“There’s nothing shameless about it.

You’re all just biased againstC0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

Cynthia. Grandma also tends to be

more conservative. I just want to

avoid creating trouble. I trust you wouldn’t tell Grandma about

ut this

and provoke her to anger,” Theodore said calmly.

Chapter 410

Sydney rested both hands on the table, her fingers intertwined. “If you want to avoid creating trouble, you should get married secretly and not openly invite your father and I to the wedding, and even ask your ex-wife to be the bridesmaid.”

Sydney wasn’t usually good-tempered, but this time, she was speaking to Theodore very patiently.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Although sometimes, the calmer the surface of the sea, the stronger the undercurrents.

“She can choose not to be the bridesmaid, I’m not forcing her. I’m just giving her an option.”

His cold tone made Rosalie clench her fists. All the more she didn’t want to stay here a second longer.

“Mom, I’ll make a move first. Have a nice chat.”

“Wait,” Sydney said as she turned her head. “Let’s head back together later.”

“But Mom…”

“Sit down.” Sydney pointed to a chair next to her.

Rosalie furrowed her brows.

“Sit down,” Sydney repeated herself.

Rosalie sighed before acquiescing.

She couldn’t be bothered to look at Theodore, and instead pulled out her phone from her pocket to see if Sebastian replied to her text. He did. [Rose, let’s meet up.]

[Come to my place right now. I’ll be back soon. Just key in the passcode and head in.]

Sebastian didn’t immediately reply to her text. Rosalie thought that he might be busy right now.

She heard Sydney say, “Theo, how about this? I never want to see Cynthia my entire life. Your dad and everyone else in the Spencer family, including myself, will never accept her. Outsiders will see her as a homewrecker. Of course, I can attend the wedding and slap Cynthia in front of everyone and call her exactly that to her face and anger her to death. How does that sound?”

Theodore’s brows knitted. “Mom, must you be so extreme?”

“Extreme?” Sydney chuckled. “I’m just giving you an option.”

Sydney used his words against him. It was merely an option.

Sydney had never heard someone use that word in such an infuriating way.

“That’s right. Your mother and I won’t go,” Wesley spat out coldly.

Theodore said solemnly, “I just want to give her an official wedding where both our parents will be present. I want her to experience what it’s like to be blessed. Dad, Mom, I’m pleading with you. I’ll bear all

vel.r

consequences and you do

anything you want with me, but please attend my wedding.”

Rosalie smiled weakly.

The pain she felt was numbing.

How much did Theodore love Cynthia to make him plead so humbly with his parents?

He had never groveled with anyone like this for her sake. Not even once.

There was indeed a difference in how he treated someone he loved and someone he didn’t. He loved Cynthia, and she was his everything. He was willing to do anything for her, including humbling himself.

Sydney suddenly stood up, and walked over to stand before Theodore. She looked up at him silently for a few seconds, before lifting a hand and slapping him hard.

Rosalie had already slapped him and

ne

his cheek was still red, and now, Sydney was giving him another slap. This slap felt harder, and his cheek immediately started swelling.

Rosalie never expected Sydney to hit Theodore.

Neither did Wesley-he immediately stood up. “Sydney…”

He wanted to say more, but had no words.

hapter 411

“I’ve always felt guilty for not fulfilling my responsibilities as a mother when I was younger and failed to be by your side. I admit, I don’t have the right to reprimand you. I’m not slapping you as your mother this time, but as Rose’s mother, to protect my own daughter.”

Tears welled up in Rosalie’s eyes. She was very touched and completely caught off guard that her mother-in-law, whom she had no blood relations with and barely even knew until recently, would do something like this for her.

Rosalie found herself very tragic at times, a failure in both her love life and marriage. Yet other times, she found herself very blessed in other areas. When she was in tears and in misery, when others mistreated her, there was always someone watching over her.

Theodore rubbed his cheek gently with his fingers, and suddenly smirked. “Mother and daughter indeed. Each of you slapped me once. Do you feel great about that now?”

Sydney was furious to see Theodore smile even under such circumstances. “How did you become such a bastard?!”

“Mom, you said it wrongly.” Theodore drew near, and went on, “I didn’t become a bastard. I was always a bastard, it’s just that you couldn’t tell.”

He smiled triumphantly. “Whatever it is, it’s a foregone conclusion that Cynthia and I will get married. No one can stop me. I sincerely invite all of you to be present, but if you refuse to go, I have no choice. My wedding with Cynthia will be held as scheduled. I’m just informing you about it.” His cold tone made everyone’s heart freeze.

As it turned out, this was his objective. He called his parents here and said something like this, despite knowing that Rosalie would be around. Not only did he successfully anger his parents, but he even managed to humiliate his ex-wife.

Sydney looked at her son in disbelief, and took a few steps back. “I barely managed to find you an opportunity, and you ended up doing something outrageous like this. I won’t ever help you a second time. Never again.”

“I don’t need an opportunity, and I don’t need help,” Theodore said flatly.

“Is that so? Did you forget what you said when you were drunk?” Sydney yelled, filled with rage.

She was on the verge of exploding before her son.

He looked like a pitiful child when he was drunk, repeatedly calling Rose’s name.

That was why Sydney gave in and called Rosalie over today. She hoped to give Theodore one more chance to talk to Rosalie properly and salvage the situation.

She never expected him to give everyone such a huge surprise.

“Since you said I was drunk, how could you believe the words of a drunkard? I was just talking nonsense. Even I didn’t take myself seriously. Why would you?” Theodore said coldly.

“Theodore Spencer, is this how you talk to your mother?” Wesley yelled.

“You spoke to Grandma like this back then too, didn’t you?” Theodore scoffed. Smirking, he went on, “Aren’t you the most experienced in doing something like this? Do you even have the right to yell at me?”Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

Theodore seemed to be going all out, even to the extent of ruining his relationships with his kin.

“You!” Wesley was furious, but was rendered speechless by Theodore’s accusations.

Back then, Rebecca was indeed infuriated with her son. He had said even worse things than Theodore did.

Sydney nodded. “Fine! Remember your words-you were just talking nonsense. In that case, I’m being the busybody here.”

Sydney turned around, and grabbed Rosalie’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Rosalie was pulled away like a rag doll, silent and not putting up a resistance. The two of them left, and disappeared out of sight.

Wesley tugged at his tie. “Mr. Spencer, are you happy now? Abandoning your wife for another woman, and angering your parents and grandmother. You even gathered everyone here today just to humiliate us all.”

“I’m just stating facts. If you insist on seeing it as humiliation, there’s nothing I can do about it,” Theodore said.

Wesley hated how Theodore didn’t

give a damn about the situation after making everyone blow their top. But he knew in the depths of his heart that he had no right to get angry, because he had behaved

worse than his son in the past.

Wesley turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he turned around and sighed upon seeing Theodore’s expressionless face.

“You’d better remain a bastard

et

forever. Otherwise, should the day ever come where you regret your actions, you’ll be in pain that’s ten times, a hundred times, worse than the pain you caused others. Just look at your mom and I, and how I’ve been living over the years,

“Thank you for your reminder,” Theodore said with a smile. “I definitely won’t become like you, since I’ve really divorced Rose. We’ll go our own separate ways from now on.”

He looked cold and heartless as he spoke.

“Fine,” Wesley said, pointing at his son. “Remember what you said today.”

With that, Wesley turned to leave.

et

The dining room was empty, with only Theodore left behind. He collapsed in his chair, holding his forehead in his palm and sighing. A few seconds later, he grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it on the floor.

Being a bastard was pretty good. At least no one expected anything from him.

That way, he wouldn’t be able to break anyone’s heart. Who would be brokenhearted for a bastard anyway?

He had wanted to have a good chat with Rose and talk things through. However, it was all just wishful thinking on his part. Reality had dashed all of his ho

Chapter 412

Eight hours ago, at ten in the morning, Theodore was still at Sydney’s place. He was lying on Sydney’s couch and groggy with sleep.

He slowly opened his eyes. He was having a splitting headache, and was still tightly wrapped up in a blanket. It was even tied up with a rope, as if fearing the blanket might fall off him.NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

Theodore looked at himself and then his surroundings in a daze. It was a living room that looked unfamiliar to him, but he knew where he was. Memories from last night flooded back in his mind.

He came looking for his mother after getting drunk in the middle of the night… Like a three-year-old, he cried for comfort in his mother’s arms, claiming to be bullied by others.

Theodore smacked his forehead hard.

How embarrassing!

He immediately untied the rope around the blanket, flung it aside, and stumbled into the washroom.

After cleaning himself up, he left the washroom, rummaged around his pocket, and searched everywhere before finding his phone hidden in a corner of the couch.

He picked it up, tapped on the screen, and saw multiple missed calls from the hospital. He was probably dead asleep, and didn’t hear his phone ringing.

Theodore had a bad feeling about it, and called the number back.

“Hello, what’s the matter?” The other party said something which made Theodore’s face change. “What did you say? Okay, I’ll head over now.” He rushed to the hospital.

Something had happened to Cynthia in the middle of the night.

An infection had caused her to have a high white blood cells count. Although the doctor managed to bring it under control, her organs began failing. The reason for the infection remained unknown.

Previously, as long as the hospital provided timely care, Cynthia had the luxury of waiting for a heart donor. Given the severity of her condition right now, she was out of time and had to have the surgery within the week. If she couldn’t find a healthy heart donor, her chances of survival were slim. Although Cynthia was already first in line in the queue, there was no suitable heart donor in sight.

Theodore thought Cynthia still had time, but the facts were laid bare before him and he had to face up to it.

Cynthia laid weakly on the bed, and didn’t even have the energy to cry when she saw Theodore standing by her bedside. Instead, she turned her face away and refused to look at him.

UMS

Theodore sat on her bedside, and called out to her softly. “Cindy, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy the past few days, and couldn’t come to visit you.”

“Theo, I know that I’m about to die and that you don’t want me anymore. You wouldn’t marry me. I’ve been waiting, and now, I’m about to die. You said you’d marry me. I’m about to die, and you still haven’t fulfilled your promise. That’s what the message you sent me last night was about,” Cynthia said with indignation.

Theodore asked doubtfully, “What message?”

“What message? Don’t you know?” she grumbled.

Theodore pulled his phone out, and saw the text he sent her last night. He didn’t remember sending something like this.

Or, could it be…?

Theodore immediately knew what happened. Sydney must have sent the text.

“Cindy, I wasn’t the one who sent that text. I was with my mother, and had a drop too much. She must have texted you that nonsense. I’ll delete it right away.”

He couldn’t have possibly texted Cynthia something like that!

Cynthia’s eyes lit up at his explanation. “Really?” But very soon, her eyes dimmed again. “No, you’re lying to me. You’re definitely lying to me.” “I’m not. How about this? I’ll call my mom.”

Theodore dialed Sydney’s number.

Before he could speak, Sydney said, “Theo, I was looking for you. Youdeft when Kreturned home. Let’s meet up tonight. You, Rose, and me. We’ll have dinner together.”

“Tonight?” Theodore said, “No, I’ve got to be with Cindy.”

“What for?”

“Something happened to her.”

“Something happens to her every day, it’s never going to end. Aren’t you going to live your life normally?” Sydney fumed.

Chapter 413

Theodore was about to refute her, but suddenly remembered something and turned around to look at Cynthia. His gaze was heavy as he said, “Alright, I’ll see you tonight.”

“Good. That’s all, then. Don’t forget what you said to me last night while you were drunk. I’m doing this to help you, so don’t ruin the chance and stop making wrong decisions. See you later.”

Sydney wouldn’t have said so much if he weren’t her biological son. She would never remind a fool that he was a fool. No, she would just leave them to their own devices.

Yet, because he was her biological son, she had to tell him that he was a fool and had to do better.

Sydney was about to hang up when Theodore immediately added, “Oh yes, Mom. You shouldn’t have texted Cindy with my phone last night.” “Well, I did. What are you going to do about it?”

Although it was wrong of her to text using someone else’s phone, Sydney did it without any guilt.

Theodore sighed. “It was meaningless to send that text.”

“Since it was meaningless, why are you asking me about it?”

“I just want Cindy to know I wasn’t the one who texted her text. I couldn’t possibly have texted her that.”

“So, what kind of texts would you send her?” Sydney asked. “About how much you love her?”

“Mom, since we’ve made things clear, I’m hanging up. I need to be with Cindy.” With that, Theodore hung up.

He was afraid Cynthia might get angry if he said more. She couldn’t afford to get agitated at this point.

He saw Cynthia’s number being blocked on his phone, and removed it from his list of blocked numbers.

He turned around, and said, “Cindy, you heard it for yourself. I didn’t send that text. I’ve also made myself clear to my mom.”

Upon knowing that Theodore wasn’t the one who sent that text, Cynthia sighed in relief. But then she remembered that he wanted to call Rosalie but ended up calling her instead in his drunken state, and still felt angry about it.

“Didn’t you agree to meet your mom tonight? Your ex-wife will be there, too. Theo, why don’t you just pluck the tubes off me and let me die. You won’t marry me, anyway. I see it clearly now. You’re just…”

“I will marry you,” Theodore cut her off with a determined look. “I’ll begin preparing for the wedding today.”

With that, Theodore called his assistant. “Yuvan, get the best designer you can find and order a wedding gown in Cindy’s measurements.”

He hung up, then grabbed Cynthia’s

hand. “You’re weak right now, and

n

can’t get too tired. Leave the wedding planning to me. We’ll get married in three days. You’ll be the most beautiful bride, I promise.”

One week was too short, and the chances of finding a suitable heart donor were slim. As such, he would fulfill whatever wishes Cynthia had.

He had promised her this, and he

had dragged it out for way too long. Now that she was almost at the end of her life, he couldn’t delay things any further. Even if Cynthia had to leave this world, he would fight to fulfill her dreams. Content belongs

“Really? Will you really marry me this time?” Cynthia looked at him in disbelief.

Theodore nodded firmly. “Yes, I will. It’ll be a grand wedding, so I need at least a few days to prepare. I’ll keep it within three days, and won’t exceed that.”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Then… I’ll wait for you. Don’t lie to me again, or I’ll die without a peace of mind!”

She said it through gritted teeth and with all her might, but given how weak she was, her words still came out weak and trembling.

Theodore lifted his hand, and wiped the tears away from her face. “Rest well, and try to regain some strength so we can have the wedding ceremony.”

Cynthia nodded. “Okay, I’ll rest well. I definitely will. I’ll wait for you to marry me.”

That damn Yerick had appeared in the middle of the night to do something outrageous to her.

She thought she would die, but after the doctors fought to save her, Yerick appeared again to tell her that her heart was ready, and that she need not worry. He caused that infection just so she could have the transplant earlier, and even hasten her relationship progress with Theodore.

Cynthia didn’t believe him at first, but upon hearing Theodore promise to marry her in three days, she thought what that bastard Yerick said made

sense.

However, she wasn’t sure if there really was a donated heart ready for her. At this point, she had no choice but to believe him.

She trusted that she and Yerick were on the same boat. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come looking for her.

She was sure she could survive this. She was certain about that!

She would live on with a healthy heart, and live happily ever after with Theodore.

When that happens…

‘Rosalie Young, you’re doomed! After I recover, I won’t spare you. I’ll teach you a good lesson for trying to fight with me for Theodore’s heart!’

The vicious thoughts in her heart only made her look more weak and vulnerable. No one would have imagined how wicked and ruthless her thoughts were while she lay weakly on the bed.

Chapter 414

Sydney pulled Rosalie into the car.

Rosalie was very silent as she sat in the shotgun seat. She even forgot to buckle her safety belt. Thankfully, Sydney enjoyed doing so for her and had done it before driving.

Sydney drove on for a few seconds in silence. She glanced at Rosalie a few times, worried. Finally, she couldn’t hold herself back and murmured, “I know I was wrong to bring you there. I didn’t expect Theo to…”

“Mom,” Rosalie cut her off. “This has nothing to do with you. You didn’t want this to happen, either. It’s alright, I’ve gotten used to it.”

The calmness on Rosalie’s face told Sydney that she had been hurt countless times.

Many times, people become numb not because they were born heartless, but because they had gone through so much. They knew they couldn’t change anything, and were helpless.

Sydney thought about it before concluding, “Don’t tell him about your pregnancy. I take back what I said before, because I suddenly feel like he doesn’t deserve to know.”

Rosalie’s heart throbbed with pain. “Mom, do you really think so?”

Sydney nodded. “He’s not fit to be a father. You’ll find a better man than him. Don’t worry about the child being fatherless.”

Rosalie chuckled weakly. “I’m fine with not finding another man. Things are fine the way they are now. I’ll take care of my own baby.”

More importantly, she didn’t want to get herself hurt again. She didn’t want her child to get hurt, too.

“That’s true,” Sydney said. “That depends entirely on what you want. Just don’t mistreat yourself. You’re still young and have all the time in the world. More importantly, you have something that many don’t.”

Rosalie nodded. “Yeah.”

She caressed her belly. “I have my baby. As long as he’s with me, I’m fearless.”

Sydney furrowed her brows. “I didn’t mean the baby. Who doesn’t have a baby? Even pigs have babies. It’s nothing to be proud of.”

Rosalie frowned. “So what were you referring to?”

“I was referring to the money in your account. Don’t forget that you’re a rich woman right now.”

Realization dawned upon Rosalie. “I see. You’re right. At the very least, I don’t need to worry about my finances. Otherwise, it’d only make things worse.”

“Yes. Instead of making things

et

worse, you’re in a pretty good state right now,” Sydney said. “I’m afraid this is the only good thing that Theodore has done for you. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

The mention of Theodore made Rosalie’s eyes dim. Any mention of his name made dark clouds gather above her, and she wished he would never appear in her life ever again.

Sydney said nothing further, and sent Rosalie back home. She stopped the car at the entrance.

Rosalie unbuckled her safety belt. “Mom, do you want to come upstairs?”

“No need, go back and have a good rest.”

Rosalie nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

“Don’t mention it. There’s nothing to thank me for. Go back home.”

Sydney was usually a serious person, but there were times when her tenderness shone through. Rosalie opened the door, and left the car. After seeing Sydney drive off, she turned around and walked toward her district.

As she walked on, she saw a figure pacing back and forth at the entrance of her district.

Rosalie felt joy in her heart when she saw the figure, and hastened her speed. “Seb!”

Sebastian heard her voice, and turned around with a smile.

Rosalie stood before him, all sorrow washed away. “You’re here! Why didn’t you head up?”

“You weren’t home yet, so I waited for you here,” Sebastian said.

Chapter 415

“You silly billy! I gave you my passcode, didn’t I? You could have just gone in to wait for me. Why did you stay downstairs?” Sebastian gave her a warm smile. “You weren’t home, and I can’t possibly just stay in your house. That’s your place.”Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

He knew clearly where the boundaries lay.

Rosalie said helplessly, “You’re so silly. Remember, my house is your house, too. You can just go in. Don’t be like this next time. What if it’s winter, and it’s snowing outside? Will you just stand here and wait?”

Sebastian nodded. “I will.”

He had such a silly look on his face, but he was a handsome man to begin with. A handsome fool was an inexplicably mesmerizing sight to behold. Rosalie sighed helplessly. They were both men, but why was one a bastard to the extreme while another was kind to the extreme?

“What happened here?” Rosalie lifted a hand and caressed his lips, finding it dry and chapped, even bleeding.

Her simple move made Sebastian’s eyes light up. He shook his head, and said, “Nothing. Maybe I haven’t had a sip of water for a long time.”

“Silly. Can’t you tell whether you haven’t had enough water to drink? Your lips are so dry, they’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.” Although Rosalie was scolding him, she was doing it out of concern for him. Sebastian’s heart was filled with warmth.

Rosalie pressed her palm against his back, looking as though she was embracing him. “Let’s head up.”

She could sense Sebastian’s somber mood. Although he was smiling at her, his eyes were dull.

From behind, they looked very close and intimate. Rosalie would even pat his back occasionally, and whisper something into his ear.

Sydney watched the scene before her from a distance. She had wanted to call out to Rosalie, but upon seeing the two of them turn to walk upstairs and looking so intimate, she didn’t do anything except for watching them in silence until they disappeared out of sight.

Sydney was about to drive off earlier, but when she thought back about what happened today, she felt that she should speak more with Rosalie about it.

To her surprise, when she turned back, she witnessed a man waiting for Rosalie.

Rosalie treated him very tenderly, and they looked like a match made in heaven. They were in a world where Theodore didn’t exist.

Theodore was her child, after all. Sydney couldn’t possibly remain neutral without any bias toward her own son.

Yet, she was very disappointed in him. She had no right to stop Rosalie from being close to another man.

Sydney sighed, and turned to leave.

Rosalie brought Sebastian upstairs.

Sebastian looked downcast. She brought him to the couch, and poured him a glass of warm water. She touched his hand, and found it slightly cold. So, she went into her room to grab a blanket for him. “Seb, talk to me if there’s anything on your mind. I’ll definitely help you if I can. Don’t keep it to yourself.” Sebastian smiled weakly. “I’m fine, Rose.”

“No, there’s something wrong,” Rosalie said, worried. “I know your father must have done something to you. Was it because you refused to marry the woman he arranged for you. Is that why he chased you out of the family?”

“Rose, don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of

Melf. This isn’t a bad thing. wouldn’t be able to mere

He

in

from now on.” Content

belongs to

“No,” Rosalie said, shaking her head. “He’ll continue interfering with your life. He’s a control freak, and heft make sure your life is a living hell even after chasing you out of the family.”

Chapter 416

Geoffrey himself had told her that even if Sebastian left the Carter family, Geoffrey would make sure he would be met with obstacles everywhere. Even if Sebastian tried to go abroad, Geoffrey would do something to stop it.

Puzzled, Sebastian asked, “Rose, did he say something to you?”Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Rosalie nodded. “He even wanted me to persuade you to get married, but I really don’t know what I should do now. If you get married, you’ll end up marrying a woman you don’t love. But if you don’t get married, he’ll ruin your life.”

Either way, Sebastian wasn’t going to be happy.

“I’ve already made my choice,” Sebastian said firmly. “I won’t get married. I don’t mind if I lose everything. I’ve been living under another man’s control all my life, and I don’t want to live like this anymore.”

Rosalie couldn’t imagine how it would be like for Sebastian to descend from heaven to hell.

His father was a control freak and would certainly do something to him. The man might crush Sebastian to the ground, and he might not be able to take the sudden difference in treatment. What if something untoward happened to him as a result?

“Oh yes,” Rosalie said, suddenly remembering something. “Your father’s objective is just to make you get married. He said that if you have a girlfriend, he wouldn’t interfere. What about Lily? Don’t you like her? If you could marry her, you’ll be happy. You won’t lose everything at the same time. It’s the perfect solution.”

“Impossible,” Sebastian replied with absolute certainty.

“Why not?”

“Did anything happen after the dinner that day? Did you contact her again?”

Sebastian sighed. “She rejected me, and told me clearly she didn’t like me. What’s more, she reconciled with her boyfriend. They’re planning to get married.”

Rosalie sighed. This was tough.

“In that case, we’ll find a girlfriend for you. I’ll take you on blind dates.”

Sebastian chuckled helplessly.

et

“Rose, I know you’re worried about me, but this won’t work. My father isn’t stupid. If I find a random woman and claim she’s my girlfriend and that I want to marry her, he definitely won’t believe me. What’s more, the woman I find might not be up to his standards. She must be able to be of help to my family, or he wouldn’t agree to the marriage.”

Rosalie sighed helplessly. “What should we do? Should we just accept fate?”

“I do have an idea,” Sebastian said, as if something had come to mind.

“What is it?” Rosalie asked anxiously.

Sebastian turned around, and stared at Rosalie in silence.

Rosalie furrowed her brows. “Why are you spacing out? Quick, tell me.”

Sebastian smiled bitterly. “Forget it. This idea wouldn’t work.”

“How would you know if you don’t say it out loud?” Rosalie tugged his sleeve. “Come on, tell me.”

“No, no.” Sebastian said with a wave

of his

Althond, “it really won’t work. problem, I…” Content belo I nee

Although this idea might

to

His claim that the idea might solve the problem made Rosalie so excited, she turned him around

“Quick, tell me! As long as it can

solve the problem, we must give it a

try Don’t hem and haw over it!”

Sebastian looked troubled. “Don’t blame me if I say it, and don’t blow up on me, either.”

“Why would I do that?” Rosalie asked.

“Promise me first that first. Don’t get mad at me, and if you oppose the idea, just take it that you never heard me say it.”

Chapter 417

“Fine, I promise you. Quick, tell me.”

Rosalie’s curiosity was growing by the minute.

Sebastian pondered for a moment before saying, “Didn’t my father mistake us for a couple previously? If…”

“Seb!” Rosalie suddenly called his name, and cut him off mid-sentence.

She fully understood what Sebastian wanted to say.

“Are you suggesting for us to get married?”

Rosalie’s reaction made Sebastian swallow the rest of his sentence back into his throat.

“You agreed not to get angry. Just pretend you never heard it from me.”

Sebastian looked pitifully at her, like a hungry child asking for milk. At the sight of his innocent eyes, Rosalie’s heart softened.

“Seb, I’m not mad. It’s just a little extreme that you thought of this idea. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“I know. My initial idea was for us to go through a fake marriage, but I thought you wouldn’t agree to it. I was very hesitant, and didn’t know whether to tell you about it. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have even thought of this idea. Just take it that I never mentioned it.”

Rosalie saw the morose look in Sebastian’s eyes, and knew that he must be feeling very anxious right now.

She raised a hand, and patted his shoulder gently. “Let’s think of another idea.”

The thought of marrying Sebastian itself was flabbergasting. They were friends, and things were purely platonic between them. How would they face each other if they got married just for the sake of dealing with his father?

What’s more, she had just divorced Theodore and was pregnant with his child. It didn’t seem appropriate to be marrying another man so soon, even if it were just a farce.

“There’s no need to think of any

ideas,” Sebastian said with a smile. “Rose, I’ve been living under my father’s control since I was young t no longer bothers me. I’ll just marry a woman I don’t love, start a family with her, and live a joyless life. I’ll slowly become someone like my father, who will in turn control my own children. It’ll pass down through the generations like a curse.”

.OrgHis words made Rosalie’s stomach drop, as if she had just encountered an earthquake.

She couldn’t help but think about the Spencer father and son. Theodore had followed in his father’s footsteps, as though there was a curse hanging above the family.From NôvelDrama.Org.

No, she couldn’t allow such a curse to be upon Sebastian. Since the previous generation had made a mistake, the next generation should be correcting the mistake after witnessing it instead of repeating it.

Why did people always refuse to learn from their lessons? Why were they always becoming who they didn’t like?

“Seb,” Rosalie said silently. “I won’t allow you to become like your father. You clearly know that he’s in the wrong, and that you’re suffering so terribly. You can’t do this to your child next time.”

“Rose, there

are

some things that I don’t have a choice in,” Sebastian

eltet

said with a sigh. He stood up and went on, If I don’t get married, my father has no lack of ways to torment me. He won’t take this lying down, and everyone are will be implicated. He might even lock you up.”

“No, Seb. I will protect myself.”

“No.” Sebastian shook his head. “Sometimes, it’s not enough even if we try to protect ourselves. I don’t know if I’ve told you this before, but some things that have happened to me were because I didn’t listen to him. Everyone I cared about has disappeared.”

Chapter 418

“What?” Rosalie was shocked. “What happened to them?”Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Sebastian looked down, a forlorn look in his eyes as he retold to Rosalie what happened to him when he was young.

Rosalie fell silent after listening to Sebastian’s story. There was a heavy look in her eyes as she stared at Sebastian.

Why must his father be so vicious?

“So, do you see why now?” Sebastian’s eyes were filled with fatigue. “I don’t want to resist him anymore. I’m afraid he might hurt you. He’s capable of anything, so I’ve changed my mind. I’ll get married. I’ve said all I wanted to say. Goodbye.”

With that, Sebastian turned to leave.

Rosalie hurriedly stood up, and grabbed his sleeve. “Seb, are you accepting your father’s arrangement because you’re worried about me?”

Sebastian turned around, and smiled tenderly at her. “Rose, please don’t feel burdened by it. This is my destiny. I’m just submitting to it. I know you intend to leave, and you must go far away. It’s best we never meet again, and this might be our last time seeing each other.”

Rosalie’s heart raced, feeling some kind of emotion exploding in her heart. “No, this won’t be the last time we see each other. Don’t be so pessimistic!”

Seeing tears welling up in Rosalie’s eyes, Sebastian lifted his hand and wiped them away. “Please don’t cry. I can’t stand seeing you cry. You’ve already cried so much for another man. You can’t be crying for me, too. I don’t want to be that kind of bastard.”

With that, he gently shook off Rosalie’s hold and left her house.

“Seb, where are you going?” Rosalie followed him anxiously.

“Rose, don’t follow me. Have a good rest, please… I’m begging you,” Sebastian said, choking before closing the door with a slam.

Rosalie wanted to run after him, but seeing how determined he was to leave, she knew that going after him would only put him in a difficult spot. What’s more, she really didn’t have any ideas to solve the problem that he was currently facing.

Rosalie sat back down on the couch in her living room, and sighed.

How could she leave with Sebastian in this state? Would she really never be able to see him after she left?

Soon after, her phone rang. She wished it was Sebastian, but it turned out to be Yvonne instead.

She thought Yvonne must be calling because of Sebastian, and immediately answered the call. “Hey, Vonnie. How’s your brother?”

Yvonne was stunned for a moment before saying, “Rose, you’re really concerned for my brother. You’re actually asking about him right from the get- go.”

“Of course I’m concerned for him. I’m sure you know what’s happening to your brother.”

“Yeah,” Yvonne said helplessly, “I do.

After my brother gets married, it

even

might be my turn soon. I don’t know what I should do now. All these years, my brother has been my shield and my dad doesn’t care much about me. But now, think I’m about to get unlucky soon.”

“What about your mom? Does your mom have nothing to say about your dad doing this?”

“What can she say?” Yvonne smiled

bitterly. “My mom doesn’t care about anything. To put it nicely, she’s very zen about things. To put it bluntly she doesn’t have a good relationship with my dad. They’ve been cold warring with each other over the years.”

Realization dawned upon Rosalie.

An unhappy home was often riddled with tragedies.

Chapter 419

Was this the alliance marriage Geoffrey was so proud of?

He claimed that only couples who get married for self-gain could last, but what was the point of such a relationship lasting for so long? They would even treat their own children so terribly!

If humans were to reproduce this way, passing such practices down from generation to generation, what would humanity ultimately become? “Rose, what’s the matter? Why aren’t you talking?” Yvonne asked. She could sense Rosalie spacing out.

Rosalie snapped back to attention. “I just don’t know what to say. I’m very worried about your brother. He said he’s willing to get married.”

“Yeah, he came back home today saying that he wants to marry that woman. They’ve only met once or twice when they were young, and are almost strangers.”

“Do you know that lady?” Rosalie asked.

“I have heard some rumors about her.”

“What about?” Rosalie asked further.

“Well,” Yvonne said. “I do know where she will be tonight. I’ll bring you to see her in the flesh, okay? Seeing is believing, after all.”

“The two of us go find her?” Rosalie said hesitantly. “Vonnie, are you sure I should go too?”

“What, don’t you want to go? Aren’t you curious about who my brother’s future wife is?”From NôvelDrama.Org.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but is it appropriate for me to do so?”

“Oh please, Rose! Why are you still harping on whether it’s appropriate now? Is it appropriate for my father to force Seb to get a wife in the first place?”

“That’s true… Alright, I’ll go with you to see her. Just say I’m your friend, and don’t tell her that I’m friends with Sebastian.”

“Okay. That settles it.”

With that, the both of them hung up.

It was getting late, and Yvonne drove Rosalie to a club exclusive to socialites. All patrons of the club were second-generation heiresses. There was a wide range of facilities in the club. Yvonne was a frequent customer, and often came here to hang out with her girlfriends.

She pulled Rosalie into the club, and said softly, “I’m not very familiar with the lady my brother is going to marry only know that her name’s Tammy Jones. She’s a wild one. She’s got a lot of boyfriends before.”

Rosalie nodded. “Given her status in life, she got whatever she wanted since she was young. It’s understandable that she lives life with abandon.”

It was difficult to judge the kind of person Ms. Jones was just based on Yvonne’s words. In fact, it was unfair to judge her just based on her wild child behavior and her many ex-boyfriends.

“Rose, I’m afraid you might have misunderstood what I meant when I said that she’s a wild one. It might not be what you think it is,” Yvonne said.

“What is it, then?” Rosalie asked doubtfully.

As they chatted, they walked toward a private room.

Yvonne had informed the club beforehand that she was coming today, and Tammy was aware of it, too. Yvonne was the sister of her future husband, after all. It was perfectly normal for both of them to meet at this place.

The moment the door was pushed open, Rosalie saw the luxurious furnishings inside. The lights were dim and lent a mysterious air to the room, which was filled with the smett of alcohol and cigarettes. She could hear merry laughter and singing inside.

Rosalie saw both men and women inside the private room, and the men looked like male hosts dedicated to serving the socialites.

The socialites were seated on their

laps, enjoying the intimacy they offered as part of their service. Everyone was immersed in games f their

and flirting, having the time of lives. Some men were even pressed against the couch, their shirts unbuttoned and wide open, allowing the socialites their way with them.

The male hosts looked to be enjoying themselves to the fullest.

Chapter 420

Rosalie found the sight before her very piercing to her eyes. She wasn’t used to such extreme scenes, and immediately looked away. “Vonnie, can I head out first?”

“You can even take this? This isn’t even considered starters!” Yvonne had long gotten used to this. “Things are chaotic in this scene, and anything is possible, even beyond your imagination. That woman over there is the one my brother will be marrying.”

Rosalie followed Yvonne’s gaze, and saw a woman dressed in a tight silver dress. She was tall and lanky, exuding an extraordinary aura. She was holding a microphone and shaking her body as she received a glass of alcohol from a male host next to her.

Tammy downed the entire glass, then the male host over and jumped onto his torso, like an octopus clinging onto him. The tip of their noses rubbed against each other.

Seeing that, Rosalie worried that Tammy might continue this lifestyle even after getting married to Sebastian.

Wouldn’t he be made a cuckold?

Tammy felt someone looking at her, and jumped off the male host’s body. She walked toward Yvonne and Rosalie, her heels clicking on the floor. She was tall and heavily made-up, a truly stunning woman indeed. Rosalie could tell that she was beautiful even without make-up.

“Hello, Vonnie. Wanna join us?” Tammy asked with a smile.

“No thanks,” Yvonne replied to her with a smile. “I’m just here to take a look. Oh, yes. This is my friend.”

Yvonne grabbed Rosalie’s arm.

“Is that so?” Tammy surveyed Rosalie from head to toe. Rosalie looked every bit a good girl, and they were clearly worlds apart. She was beautiful, though.

“Since you’re here, come join us for some fun!” Tammy grabbed Rosalie’s arm, and added enthusiastically, “Come on, let’s go sing some songs.” Before Rosalie could shake off Tammy’s arm, she was being dragged away. Yvonne wanted to pull her back, but someone drunkenly bumped her away.

With that, Yvonne found herself separated from Rosalie.All text © NôvelD(r)a’ma.Org.

“Come on! Tammy poured Rosalie a glass of wine. “Vonnie’s the sister of my future husband, and that makes her my sister. Since you’re my sister’s friend, that makes you my friend. Cheers!”

“No, no,” Rosalie said with a hurried wave of her hands. “I don’t drink.”

“You don’t drink? You’re already here, why reject me?” Tammy said solemnly.

She looked like she already had a drop too much.

Rosalie knew that drunkards were capable of doing anything and were easily triggered. She had no choice but to tell the truth.

“I can’t drink because I’m pregnant.”

“Oh, is that so?” Tammy glanced at her belly. “I see. You look so young. Are you already married?”

“I’m divorced,” Rosalie said with an awkward smile.

Tammy suddenly chuckled. “Your husband must be a bastard. Why else would you divorce him despite being pregnant?”

Rosalie smiled bitterly. “It’s

meaningless to talk about me and my ex-husband. Let’s talk about you instead. You look pretty happy about the engagement. Are you happy to be marrying Seb… Vonnie’s brother?”

She wanted to know how this lady felt about the arranged marriage. She led such a wild lifestyle, so would things change if she were unwilling to marry Sebastian?

Tammy put her glass down, and lounged lazily on the chair nearby.

“I live my days happily. Getting

married wouldn’t stop me from met

fun, soit doesn’t matter. He’s handsome, too. It’s not bad to have

a handsome man around.”