Chapter 9
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On the sunlit beaches of Solara, the sky was impossibly blue, and the ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon. Theodore strolled along the sand with Bianca and Caleb. The breeze was warm and fresh.
It was Caleb’s first time seeing the ocean. He was giddy with excitement, using a small shovel and his toy tools to build sandcastles.
“Daddy! Look at my castle! There’s a place for all three of us, and for the baby in Mommy’s tummy, too! We can all live together!” Caleb ran over, tugging Theodore’s hand, his little face beaming with joy.
Theodore smiled and ruffled Caleb’s hair, offering praise, “It’s wonderful, Caleb. I love your castle!”
Still, his thoughts drifted elsewhere. The familiar sights and sounds stirred memories of his seaside honeymoon with Clarisse.
He remembered how they’d once walked hand in hand under the moonlight along the shore. The waves would lap at their ankles, making Clarisse squeal in surprise each time.
Clarisse had worn a flowing white dress, the breeze tugging at its hem, and the moonlight casting a soft glow on her face. She looked like an angel fallen to earth.
He recalled the way he’d pulled her close and kissed her, unable to resist. Clarisse had been so shy then, her heart racing, her soft arms instinctively wrapping around his waist.
When the kiss ended, her face was flushed with shyness and sweetness. She was so beautiful that it took
his breath away.
How long had it been since he last saw that sparkle in her eyes? Ever since Bianca and Caleb moved in, all the joy and warmth had slowly drained from Clarisse’s face.
The image of Clarisse lying in the hospital bed, her eyes empty and her face pale, flashed through his mind. A wave of panic tightened in his chest.
He realized just how much he had neglected her and how much he owed her.
But luckily, Bianca was pregnant, and everything was supposedly back on track.
Theodore reminded himself that once they got home, he would make it all up to Clarisse. He would take
her anywhere she wanted and fulfill her every wish–just like he had promised at the beginning.
“Theo, Caleb’s tired. Let’s go rest over there,” Bianca said gently, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Bianca slipped her arm through his and leaned in close.
Theodore stiffened for a moment but didn’t pull away. He nodded and followed her to the lounge chairs
by the sea.
Bianca scrolled through the photos on her phone, carefully selecting the best ones that showed their happy family of four at the beach.
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She posted them on social media with the caption, “Daddy took time off to take our boy to the beach! Loving these sweet moments as a family of four!”
Theodore’s gaze fell on Bianca’s slightly rounded belly, then shifted to Caleb, whose sun–kissed cheeks glowed as he leaned happily against her.
A thought crept into his mind–maybe it was time for him and Clarisse to have a child of their own.
He found himself wishing for a daughter. He imagined a sweet little girl, just as beautiful and charming as Clarisse, inheriting her love for music.
She would throw her arms around his, call him “Daddy” in a soft voice, and practice piano with Clarisse while he played the role of their most devoted audience, always ready with applause and encouragement.
Whatever she wanted, he would make sure she had it, spoiling her into the happiest little princess in the world.
As these images floated through his mind, a warm smile crept onto his lips.
That afternoon, Bianca took the tired Caleb upstairs for a nap, while Theodore slipped out to the shopping center next to their hotel.
He wanted to pick out a few gifts for Clarisse, both as a surprise and a small gesture to make it up to her. He missed her more than ever and couldn’t wait to get back home to her.
After he finished shopping, the sales associate handed him the beautifully wrapped boxes with a beaming smile. “Sir, your wife is going to love these.”
Hearing this, Theodore couldn’t help but break into a satisfied grin.
In his mind, he was already planning it out. He’d give Clarisse the gifts as soon as he got home, say all the right things to coax her back, and then maybe they’d take a trip together. They could chase the aurora or watch the sunrise somewhere new.
As long as he was with Clarisse, it didn’t matter where they went. All he wanted was to see her smile again.
When Theodore returned to their hotel suite, Caleb was already fast asleep.
Bianca was lounging on the couch, flipping idly through a magazine. Her eyes immediately lit up as soon as she spotted the glossy shopping bags in Theodore’s hands.
She quickly set down the magazine and walked over, her excitement and anticipation impossible to hide.” Theo, you’re back! You must be tired. You know, having you here with me and Caleb is already the best gift I could ask for. Why did you buy so much? Are these toys for Caleb?”
Theodore’s steps faltered a bit, his face flashing with discomfort.
Bianca reached for one of the bags and gasped with delight when she spotted the iconic luxury jewelry box inside. “Theo, you even bought me a present? You shouldn’t have. Just getting something for Caleb
Chapter 9
would have been enough…”
She was already reaching for the box, eager to open it.
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“It’s not for you,” Theodore said, his tone as cold as a bucket of ice water, instantly wiping away the smile
from her face.
Bianca’s hand froze in midair. She looked up, her expression caught between shock and embarrassment,
“It’s for Clarisse,” Theodore said evenly. He gently took the bag from her hand and set it aside on the table.
Bianca withdrew her hand, digging her nails into her palm. She lowered her eyes to hide the jealousy and resentment flashing in them, then forced a stiff smile. “Oh, it’s for Ms. Hart? Well, I should thank her. If she
hadn’t donated blood, Caleb wouldn’t have made it.
“Theo, once we’re home, let’s go thank her together.”
Theodore nodded, gazing out the window. “Clarisse has been through a lot lately. You’re almost three months along. Once your pregnancy is more stable, I’ll arrange for you and Caleb to move out of the villa. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”
Bianca’s smile nearly slipped. She nodded stiffly. “Alright, Theo. Caleb might be waking up. I’ll go check on. him.”
With that, she quickly turned away, biting her lip so hard it almost bled, her eyes dark with hatred.
She couldn’t believe Theodore still wanted to make things right with Clarisse after everything that had happened. Placing a hand on her belly, her anger slowly gave way to cold determination.
It didn’t matter. She had already used Caleb to move into the Brooke residence. Now, with this baby, she was certain she would one day take Clarisse’s place and become the mistress of the family. Whatever it took, she would make sure Clarisse disappeared from Theodore’s life forever.
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
