Moonlight spilled across the living room floor like a gentle stream.
Standing behind the door, Calista peered through the cracked opening and watched Theodore lean down to kiss Aveline. His breathing was uneven, his long fingers gripping her waist tightly, as if six years of restraint were finally breaking free.
"Ave…" he called her name in a low, hoarse voice, filled with a tenderness Calista had never heard before.
After a moment, Theodore snapped back to his senses and gently wiped the moisture from the corners of Aveline's lips with his thumb. He slid the rosary back onto his wrist and once again became the distant, chaste man.
Calista dug her fingernails deep into her palms, the sharp pain barely keeping her grounded. She pivoted sharply, closed the door without a sound, and buried herself beneath the blanket.
Outside the room, the sound of footsteps gradually faded into the distance. She knew Theodore had gone to the prayer room again.
She closed her eyes as memories of her countless attempts to seduce him over the years flooded back.
She recalled wearing provocative lingerie and "accidentally" falling while he recited scriptures, yet he had caught her firmly using his prayer book. She had deliberately brought him a towel while he bathed, but he wrapped himself securely before opening the door.
She even pretended to be drunk and leaned into him, yet he simply pushed her away with a single finger on her forehead.
Theodore had always remained unmoved, making all her efforts seem futile. Yet she realized now that for the person he truly loved, even a single word could make him lose control.
Tears streamed down Calista's face, but she quickly wiped them away.
She told herself that it didn't matter. It wasn't as if she was unwanted. From now on, he could love his adoptive sister, and she would seek her own happiness.
…
When Calista woke up the next morning, Theodore and Aveline were already having breakfast.
Aveline touched her lips and muttered, "Theodore, are there mosquitoes in your house? Why are my lips swollen this morning?"
Theodore paused for a moment, his voice low. "I'll have the housekeeper bring you some ointment later."
Calista took the gift box Theodore handed her and opened it. Inside was an antique worth over a hundred million dollars. Her lips curled into a faint smile, and her tone held a hint of sarcasm. "You really spared no expense."
Aveline leaned in to take a look, her voice tinged with jealousy. "Theodore, I had no idea that you were so generous to Calista. I thought you were just a stiff, old-fashioned man who only cared about prayers and didn't know how to spoil his wife."
Calista looked up at Theodore and saw his gaze dim slightly. He seemed to have no intention of explaining that the gift was meant to make up for Aveline injuring her head.
In truth, he never cared about her preferences and certainly never bothered to put any thought into choosing gifts for her.
He uttered a brief acknowledgment before standing up. "I have things to attend to at the office. I'm leaving."
Before leaving, he glanced at Aveline, his voice deepening slightly. "Behave yourself at home. You can go anywhere in the villa except the prayer room."
Aveline looked puzzled. "Why?"
Theodore casually made up an excuse to brush it off, but Calista knew that it was because the prayer room held his deepest desires.
After finishing breakfast, Calista returned to her room, unwilling to stay in the same space as Aveline. When she woke from her nap, she found her long hair cut into uneven, jagged clumps.
Calista rushed out and saw Aveline sitting on the couch, smiling as she braided something using Calista's severed locks. Calista understood the situation instantly.
Her voice trembled. "Did you cut my hair?"
Aveline looked up and smiled calmly. "Yeah. I need to make a handicraft for school, and I'm planning on making a wig."
She waved the strands of hair in her hand. "Your hair color is the best. It's so dark and shiny."
A chill ran through Calista. She couldn't hold back any longer and lunged forward, slapping Aveline hard.
