Cynthia was thunderstruck. Her eyes went wide with shock and disbelief, as if she had heard something utterly inconceivable. She shook her head frantically.
No! Theo, you’re lying to me. You must be lying! I don’t believe it!
Theodore lowered his gaze, took a deep breath, and said helplessly, I’m telling the truth. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t change anything.
I refuse to believe it! she cried. You took care of me when I was sick! You even sent me abroad for treatment. You were so kind to me because you love me! Why otherwise would you have taken such good care of me? You were already married—even if I was just an excuse, you didn’t have to look after me. If you wanted to divorce, you could have easily made up a story about falling in love with someone else. But your kindness to me was real! I-
It’s all because of my guilt! Theodore interrupted her.
Cynthia was stunned. What did you say?
When your lungs were failing, I thought it was because of something my grandma did that affected the transplant surgery. My kindness to you was driven by guilt.
Guilt. Hearing that word felt like a wound being torn open in Cynthia’s heart. You’re saying that everything you did for me was because of guilt? I don’t believe it.
It’s the truth, Cindy. Even if my grandma did something to you, I can’t blame her. The only thing I could do was try to make it up to you by being kind and taking care of you. I even thought I might take care of you for the rest of your life because Rose didn’t love me, and there was no hope for us. So, I focused on compensating you. I didn’t expect so many things to happen that made me realize I can’t continue like this. I can’t keep avoiding the truth.
Cynthia stumbled back a few steps, and sank onto the edge of the bed with a thud.
She was sweating, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him. You loved me, Theo. You must have loved me. Otherwise, why would you have defended me so fiercely?
It was because I was furious with Rose. For all these years, she didn’t love me, and she got along so well with other men. I was consumed with jealousy, and lost my sanity for a moment. I may have intentionally tried to provoke Rose as a form of revenge.
“So you defended me to get back at Rosalie? Cynthia couldn’t believe his words.
Yes, I used you for my foolish revenge. But now, I see how ridiculous it all was. I’ve done something so stupid, and my arrogance has cost me everything.
How can you say that? Cynthia roared angrily. You say you’ve lost everything, so what you’re saying now is that I was never part of your everything?
Rose is my everything. Theodore’s
words were cruel. Without her, I have nothing and want nothing. Cindy, I’m sorry. I’ll compensate you. I promise your future will be secure. You can do whatever you want, but I don’t think we can—
I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear it! Cynthia covered her ears forcefully. “Don’t say anything else! I don’t want to listen!”
Cynthia cried in agony, her tears flowing freely. Theodore watched her silently. After a long time, she finally grew exhausted. She lowered her hands, and glared at him n anger.