“I’m aware,” Justin said. “I will do everything in my power to protect her. If one day I become a threat to her life, I will end myself.”
Theodore frowned. “There’s no need for you to go that far. If you do that, Rose will suffer.”
“Suffer? How long would she suffer?” Justin didn’t know if Rosalie still loved Theodore, but could someone who had loved for so long truly let go of everything?
“She will.” Theodore looked at Justin and sighed lightly. “Because she likes you.”
Justin was a little shocked. “What did you say?”
“You didn’t know? The way she looks at you is different from how she looks at other men. Justin, she likes you, not just as a friend, but as a woman loves a man.”
Theodore was his rival, so hearing these words from him made Justin somewhat happy.
Seeing Theodore’s grim expression, Justin asked, “Why are you telling me this? Doesn’t it make you sad? I know you love her deeply.”
“I do love her, but what’s the use of being sad? I can’t control who she loves. If I could, she’d already be back by my side. I’ve done so many foolish things. It’s me who pushed her away again and again. I can’t blame anyone else.” Theodore closed his eyes, a sharp pain piercing his heart. “If she really likes you, there’s nothing I can do. I don’t want to lie to myself anymore.”
“Theo, if Rose is rescued, will you still try to win her back?”
Theodore gave him a bitter smile. “I want to, but will she come back to me? And then there’s you, the obstacle.”
“You’re really contradictory,” Justin said with a smile, “but you’re not a bad person. If Rose comes back to you, as long as you treat her well, I won’t fight you for her.”
“Won’t fight me for her?” Theodore looked as if he had heard a joke. “Are you mocking me?”
“I’m not mocking you. If she really loves you, I won’t act like Sebastian and try to do everything I can to win her over. But if she loves me, I won’t let go either.”
“Theo.” Justin stepped forward, then continued, “Let’s make a pact. If Rose makes a clear choice between us after she is rescued, then the other party won’t pursue her anymore.”
Theodore stared at Justin for a long time, then extended his hand. “No problem.”
Justin also extended his hand.
The two men shook on it.
“Now, we work together to rescue Rose,” Theodore said. “Compared to Sebastian, I trust you more. Don’t let me down.”
Justin replied, “That’s what I want to
tell you too Compared to Sebastian, I trust you more, so don’t disappoint me. If Rose chooses you in the
future don’t mess around with any
more women. Otherwise, I won’t let
you off.”
“I won’t,” Theodore said firmly. “Even if she doesn’t choose me, I won’t look for another woman in this life.”
He had made too many mistakes because of women, and he couldn’t afford to make another one.
If this had come from another man,
l
Justin would have thought he was pretentious. How could a man endure loneliness? But in that moment, hearing Theodore say it, Justin inexplicably felt like he could believe Theodore.
Just then, a bodyguard came to Theodore’s side and whispered something in his ear.
Theodore looked stunned, and then his brow furrowed.
“We need to go.”