Chapter 142: The remorse
Theodore felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, only to be replaced by a crushing sense of guilt. The realization of his wrongful accusations hit him like a ton of bricks. He had acted rashly, driven by jealousy and anger, without seeking the truth first. The shame of it washed over him, making him feel sick to his stomach.
Bella continued, her voice quivering with both hurt and frustration. "Instead of thanking him, you yelled at him. And now you’re doubting me."
"Bella... I’m sorry," Theodore said urgently with remorse. "I was enraged when I saw you with him, and I lost my rationality." He reached out to take her hands, his eyes pleading for forgiveness, but Bella jerked away from him.
"I am a living person," Bella hissed, defiant. "Not your possession. You can’t dictate who I should meet and who I shouldn’t."
She had seen Lionel always suspecting her mother and beating her with false accusations of infidelity. She couldn’t take it when Theodore questioned her loyalty. her heart heavy.
Theodore stumbled over his words, his guilt consuming him. "I was... I was a jerk just now," he stuttered. "I’m sorry, Bella... Please don’t stay angry with me." He grasped her shoulders, his eyes filled with desperation.
"Leave me," Bella snapped, pushing him away with renewed force.
Despite her resistance, Theodore was relentless. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "No, I won’t... I apologize for being a jerk," he murmured into her hair.
Bella’s struggles weakened as the emotional exhaustion took its toll. Her resistance faded, and she eventually grew still in his arms. Theodore’s grip softened, his hold on her becoming gentler as he looked down at her with eyes full of remorse.
"Do you know who they are?" Theodore asked quietly. The thought of avenging Bella’s ordeal surged through him.
Bella shook her head, her tears flowing freely as she recounted the traumatic events. "I don’t know. I’ve never seen them before. They just barged into the bathroom and... and molested me." The memories of the assault were still vivid, and the pain of recalling them made her tears fall faster.
Theodore’s eyes narrowed as a sudden memory flashed through his mind. He recalled the two men he had collided with earlier on his way to the restroom.