Wesley sighed internally. Sydney was a good woman, and she had said thatforting lie for Reba''s sake.


    Yet, even knowing it was a falsehood, Wesley felt a flicker of hope rise within him. He grasped Sydney''s hand, seeking warmth from her touch. If only she could show him a bit ofpassion, it would make him happy for days.


    "Really?" Reba beamed at the news. "Sydney, you''ve finally forgiven Wesley!"


    Sydney approached the bedside. "Yes, I''ve forgiven him."


    Reba''s joy was short-lived, and her expression turned serious again. "I know how terrible he was. Don''t force yourself to forgive him for my sake. If you truly don''t want to be with him, I will fully support you."


    "Mom, that''s not it. I want to forgive him. He knows he was wrong, and has been trying to make amends. I want to move on and live a good life," Sydney exined.


    Wesley watched Sydney''s back silently, feeling a lump in his throat, sadness washing over him. If only it were all true! But deep down, he knew Sydney was justforting Reba.


    Reba squeezed Sydney''s hand. "Alright, dear, you do what makes you happy. No matter what, you will always be a Spencer."


    Then Reba turned her attention to Wesley. "Wesley,e here."


    Wesley walked over.


    "Wesley, let me tell you this: If you ever hurt Sydney again, don''t call me Mom anymore. I won''t recognize you as my son. Do you understand?"


    "I understand," Wesley choked out. "I won''t hurt Sydney again. From now on, she can pick on me, and I won''t dare retaliate."


    "That''s better. Look at you, a grown man crying. It''s shameful! You need to set an example for your son so he doesn''t turn out to be a jerk like you," Reba admonished.


    As soon as she spoke, Reba''s


    gaze fell on Theodore, and she


    looked apologetic. "I''m sorry, Theo. I didn''t mean that. I wasn''t saying you''re a jerk. You''ll never be like him, right?"


    Theodore''s expression faltered, suddenly thinking of Rosalie. The hurt he had caused her was just like what his father had done. In the end, he realized he was no different from his father, seeking forgiveness for his wrongs, but he could never attain it


    S


    "Grandma, I won''t be like him. I''ll treat Rose well; she''s the only one I love," he said firmly.


    Reba looked surprised. "Oh, so you love Rose! That''s wonderful. I can sense she has feelings for you too. After she graduates from college, you should marry her."


    Theodore nodded. "Okay, Grandma, I will."


    "Make sure to treat her well."


    "Yes, Grandma, I''ll cherish her. She''s the only woman in my life, and I''ll love and spoil her."


    He longed to do just that, but the chance was lost to him now. He had destroyed it himself, allowing Sebastian to take her away.


    "Good, just don''t be like your father and chased after some unattainable ideal," Reba warned.


    Theodore hung his head, unable to face Reba.


    el?Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    He felt a deep sense of shame. The concept of an idealized love was absurd; he thought Cynthia was his ideal, but in reality, Rosalie was his true light. He had mistakenly believed that his ideal didn''t love him, so he wanted to give her freedom.


    In the end, it was his arrogance that had led him to this point.


    All those years, if he had just asked her, "Rose, do you love me?" things wouldn''t have turned out like this. It was all the fault of his foolish pride.


    He felt cowardly, reduced to an unintelligent fool in the face of love.