Love me or leave me (Rebecca and Theodore)
Chapter 274

Theodore, too, saw the returning car. He froze and stood there in a daze. After the driver parked the car, Charlie got out and went up to Theodore, suddenly lifting his hand as an urge to hit the latter surged within him. After taking only a step, however, he sneered disdainfully and turned to leave, thinking, 'He's nothing more than a thing of the past. It'd be a waste of energy to bother myself with him.' Theodore had been all tensed up, mentally preparing himself for the possibility that Charlie might hit him, yet unexpectedly, the latter left. Staring at the empty spot in front of him, Theodore felt a void in his heart, thinking, 'So, not only does Rebecca not care about me anymore, but the whole Carter family, too? They can't even be bothered to vent their anger on me.'

While plagued by that heartbreaking thought, Theodore spotted Charlie entering the house and hastily chased after him. "Charlie!"

Charlie paused and turned around to see Theodore looking his way. The latter parted his lips but took some time to speak up, "Rebecca... I mean Stacey... Is she really in love with Hayden?" Initially, Charlie was displeased. He had told himself not to waste time and energy on Theodore, but given how Theodore kept chasing after him, he thought he should teach the latter a lesson to stop him from pestering Becky. What he didn't imagine, though, was how Theodore followed after him just to ask that question. He suddenly broke into a euphoric laugh. "Yeah, Becky's in love with Hayden, and he loves her just as much. They're doing great and will be very happy for the rest of their lives." As he spoke, he glanced at Theodore with pity. "Theodore, stay away from Becky if you still have some self respect. She'll never love you again."

Theodore stared at Charlie, seemingly wanting to say something but ultimately said nothing. Seeing Theodore like this, Charlie shook his head slightly and then turned around to continue his way toward the mansion.

"Can I see Lillian and Kevin?" Theodore suddenly shouted. It was obvious he was on tenterhooks.

Charlie stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at Theodore coldly. "You'd better not get any ideas about the kids, or don't blame us for being nasty."

Hearing that, Theodore felt his heart aching. But at the thought that Lillian and Kevin were the children Rebecca gave birth to for him and were his blood, he couldn't help feeling happy and grateful. "I won't disturb her. I only want to see the kids," said Theodore urgently.

Charlie was about to lose his temper when another car drove in from outside. As the car door swung open, Adrian, Patrick, and Bryce cast their gazes toward Theodore in tandem, leaving the latter so nervous he felt his heart tighten. After some silence, Patrick uttered while looking at Theodore, "Let's talk inside."

"Dad!" Charlie looked at Patrick in disbelief, but the latter couldn't care less about him.

Theodore was also stunned, but that emotion was quickly replaced by joy. He supposed he still stood a chance, thinking, 'Maybe... I can still see the kids... Even if Rebecca has remarried someone else, the kids are still mine. I should still be able to visit them.'

Patrick led Theodore into the mansion and seated him in the living room. Having been Theodore's first time stepping into Carter Manor, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Meanwhile, the visibly displeased Charlie followed by the side, constantly staring at Theodore as if he were monitoring the latter.

Patrick had the butler pour Theodore a cup of coffee. Despite feeling uneasy, Theodore carefully finished the drink.

"Do you know why you're still sitting here and not in prison?" Patrick voiced as soon as he gulped down his cup of coffee.

Theodore froze and looked at

ele

Patrick with a bad feeling. The latter, however, remained composed and unhurriedly said, "Calm down. You should know best what you've done in the past. I didn't go replace you before because I didn't think it was necessary, but if you continue pestering Becky, I wouldn't mind sending the evidence to the judicial department for them to deal with you."

Theodore's face grew ghastly pale, and his hands trembled slightly. "Do you have to be so cruel?"

Amused by those words, Patrick glanced at Theodore and refuted, "Did no one tell you how cruel you guys were when your family bullied Becky when she had no one to rely on back then?"

Theodore's eyes suddenly reddened.

"Dad... It was my fault. I... I was too young and impulsive back then, but I now know I made a mistake. I was wrong before, but I won't do that again. Please give me a chance.... won't disturb Becky and Hayden. I only want to see the kids, and can I also raise them? Regardless, I'm still their father. It'll be better for them if they have my company." His tone grew increasingly anxious as he spoke.

Coincidentally, Debra came down from upstairs. Having heard those words, she began laughing in exasperation. "Father? So you finally remember that you're Lily and Kev's father? When Becky gave birth to them, why didn't you visit them at the hospital? Did it not cross your

mind that the babies she was get

carrying were also yours? And what about when Becky had to take care of them after they were born? Have you ever considered that the two kids are your children and need your care, too? After you divorced Becky, did you ever consider that the kids needed your love and care?" Debra's eyes were filled with sarcasm as she looked at Theodore. "When you married Jenny, have you ever

thought how that ruthless woman might hurt Lily and Kev?"

Theodore's face darkened. He wanted to explain, but he didn't know how. 'Yes, it was my fault, it was all my fault... I failed to notice that the kids needed my care because Rebecca did such a great job taking care of them that there was nothing for me to worry about,' he brooded.

"It was all my fault back then, but I finally understand. I'll change from now and take good care of the kids." Theodore's anxiety was evident.

Debra wore a scowl on her face. "If you really care about the kids and hope they live a better life, then it's best not to disturb them again," she snapped coldly. "You know the Hoggard family. Hayden's a good man. Becky is happily married to him now, and they're living a blissful life."

Hearing that, Theodore said anxiously, "It's exactly because they're married, so I..."