Theodore's usually immaculate suit was covered in dust, and blood smeared his temple. His breathing was ragged, and his eyes widened the instant he saw Calista and Aveline.
This was the first time Calista had ever seen this detached man looking so disheveled.
After discovering that they were missing following the car accident, Theodore immediately sent people to track them down and rushed to their location as fast as he could.
With only one minute left before the bomb exploded and time to dismantle a single device, Theodore chose Aveline without hesitation.
He worked rapidly on Aveline's explosive without lifting his head. "Calista, once I get her out, I'll come back for you immediately."
Calista laughed. Strangely, her heart didn't ache anymore, perhaps because she no longer loved him.
After Theodore dismantled Aveline's device, the countdown showed only 20 seconds left. Aveline gripped his arm tightly, her voice trembling so hard she could barely speak. "Theodore! We have to go! It's going to explode!"
For the first time, Theodore pushed her away, urging her to escape before turning back to defuse Calista's bomb.
But Calista suddenly grabbed his hand and shoved him away. She said calmly, "Theodore, take her and leave. Remember, from this day on, I don't need you anymore. Whether I live or die is none of your business. I'm not someone no one wants. If you don't love me, plenty of others will!"
Theodore froze in shock.
Aveline broke down in tears beside them. "Theodore, I'm so scared! If you don't leave, I won't leave either!"
As the seconds ticked down to detonation, if they didn't leave now, all three would die. At the critical moment, Theodore picked Aveline up and rushed out.
Calista closed her eyes, her fingers moving swiftly across the explosive. She had taken a demolition course in college, and now that knowledge came to her rescue.
A soft click sounded. She successfully disconnected the fuse at the final second.
Yet an explosion still went off. As the blast hurled her into the air, she caught a blurry glimpse of Theodore running back.
…
Calista opened her eyes in the hospital to excruciating pain radiating from her arm.
Theodore was sitting by her bed. When he saw her awake, he quickly steadied her. "Don't move. You just had a skin graft for Ave."
"What did you say?" Calista asked.
In her daze, she almost thought that she had misheard him.
Theodore stayed silent for a moment, his voice carrying a rare hint of guilt. "Ave's arm was injured in the explosion. She didn't want a scar, and since your skin tone is the closest match, we took a graft from you for the transplant."
Calista stared at him in disbelief. "Theodore, did you even ask me?"
He tried to soothe her. "I'll make it up to you. Haven't you always wanted to go on a date with me? Once you're discharged—"
She cut him off, "Who cares?"
She ripped out her IV needle forcefully, blood trickling down the back of her hand. "You can't just treat me this way!"
Theodore was stunned.
Calista's eyes were bloodshot, and her voice trembled. "She's everything to you, and I'm nothing—is that it? You just took advantage of my feelings for you… You just used me—"
She couldn't bring herself to finish.
Theodore felt a tightness in his chest as he suddenly recalled her words in the warehouse. "If you don't love me, plenty of others will."
Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.
The anxious voice of his assistant, Lucas Ashford, buzzed through the phone. "Mr. Montclair, the Princess Danielle limited-edition necklace that Ms. Montclair has always wanted is being auctioned tonight in Valdoria. Do you want to go?"
Theodore gave a brief affirmation and hung up.
He put his phone away and looked at Calista. "I have to go abroad for a few days. I'll bring you a gift when I get back."
After a pause, he added, "Don't worry. I'll keep my word about the date."
With that, he pushed open the door and walked away quickly.
The moment the door closed, Calista could no longer hold back. She slowly curled up, hugging herself tightly as tears streamed down.
