Chapter 298: He's Remarkably Gullible

\[Theodore\]

"Sarah!" Her name tore from my throat after the silence stretched too long. The sound of retching from the other end of the line sent a cold spike of alarm through my chest. My grip tightened on the phone, knuckles turning white as I strained to hear what was happening.

The distressing sounds gradually subsided, replaced by her ragged breathing. I struggled to keep my voice level, to hide the concern that threatened to betray me. "If you're feeling unwell, you should lie down and rest."

"I don't need your pity!" The venom in her voice struck me like a physical blow. Gone was any trace of weakness or vulnerability—replaced by raw, undiluted anger.

"I'm concerned about our child!" The words escaped before I could temper them, my control slipping as frustration and worry battled within me. My free hand clenched into a fist, fingernails biting into my palm.

"What exactly are you concerned about?" Her bitter laugh sliced through the connection. "That the pregnancy wasn't terminated after all?"

The accusation hit its mark with deadly precision. I drew in a sharp breath, struggling to maintain composure. "Sarah, must you always be so confrontational?" My voice emerged low and tight, barely containing the storm of emotions raging inside. Had I truly become such a villain in her eyes?

"Who started with the confrontation?" she fired back, each word dripping with icy contempt. "Victoria is so docile, so understanding? Say those words again, I dare you!"

My mouth opened, then closed without sound. The cruel barbs I'd deliberately crafted to wound her now filled me with shame. What kind of man deliberately torments the mother of his children? The mother carrying his child?

"Don't bother me with this sick game anymore!" The line went dead with a harsh click, leaving me staring at my phone in the sudden silence of my office.

I closed my eyes, letting my head fall back against the leather chair. A soft knock interrupted my self-recrimination. The door opened to reveal Victoria, her expression brightening when she saw me.

"Theodore, shall we go to dinner now?" Her voice was gentle, inquiring rather than demanding. In the past year, Victoria had been like a ghost in my periphery. It was only recently that she'd begun to reappear more prominently in my life.

"You go ahead," I replied, turning back to my desk. "I'm heading straight home tonight."

Victoria nodded, accepting my decision without question. "You don't look well. Don't work too late." She slipped out as quietly as she'd entered, leaving no ripples in her wake.

As soon as she left, I reached for my phone again, dialing Alex. "Alex, are you still at Sarah's place?" I asked the moment he answered.

"No," His voice carried a note of discomfort. "We had a bit of an... altercation. Things were going fine at dinner until Liv brought up you and Victoria. I'm afraid I lost my composure and said some things I shouldn't have. I've already left Sarah's house."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. "Be more careful what you say around Sarah from now on. She's pregnant, remember?" My tone was sharper than I'd intended, frustration bleeding through.

"Yes. I regretted it as soon as I left," Alex replied, contrition evident in his voice. "I'll apologize to her properly next time I see her."

\[Sarah\]

The morning light spilled through my bedroom curtains, painting golden streaks across the floor as I emerged from another night of restless sleep. The doorbell's cheerful ring startled me from my brooding thoughts. I hadn't been expecting visitors, especially not this early.

When I opened the door to find Daniel standing there, his smile tentative but warm, something loosened in my chest. Without thinking, I stepped forward and wrapped him in a careful hug, mindful of his injured hand.

"Sarah," he said as we broke apart, his eyes searching mine. "About what my mother said to you... please don't take it to heart. She's set in her ways, stubborn with age and fear." He followed me into the living room, his gait slightly hesitant. "I've been waiting for you to return so I could explain. I'm fine now, truly. But what about you? How's your injury healing?"

"I'm completely recovered," I assured him, gesturing for him to sit while I poured us both some water. "Daniel, promise me you'll never do something so foolish again. Your safety matters."

"There won't be a next time," he replied, accepting the water with a grateful nod. "But now that your identity is public knowledge, you're the one who needs to be cautious." His eyes drifted to my hand as it unconsciously moved to my abdomen. "Your wound... is it really healed?"

"Yes," I said, but my gaze caught on his bandaged hand, the empty space where his finger had been sending a fresh wave of guilt through me. "Your hand, though..."

"It's nothing," he said firmly, lifting it for me to see. The bandages were smaller now, the wound clearly healing well. "Doesn't affect my daily life at all." He paused, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Theodore asked me to tutor Lily. He paid me a lot."

The unexpected information caught me off guard. My eyebrows lifted in surprise as I waited for him to continue.

"I enjoy being around Lily—there's something so peaceful about her company. So I accepted." His expression softened. "He also tried to give my parents a substantial sum of money."

A small, sad smile tugged at my lips. "If he wants to give it, you should take it."

Daniel shook his head firmly. "I had them donate it." His eyes met mine, a quiet intensity in his gaze. "I've never seen myself as someone to be pitied."

"Daniel, I'm sure that wasn't his intention," I said softly, though even to my own ears, the defense sounded halfhearted.

His gaze softened, seeing through my facade as he always did. "If you can offer me that perspective, why can't you apply it to yourself?" The gentle question landed with unexpected weight. "Breaking up with Theodore when you're pregnant... it seems unwise. You need support now more than ever."

My cheeks warmed under his scrutiny. I dropped my gaze to my hands.

His expression turned serious again. "I just hate to think of you raising three children alone."

"William and Emma are practically self-sufficient now," I countered. "Besides, Theodore may seem composed and mature to others, but you should have heard him yesterday, using Victoria to provoke me. It was childish and petty. If that's his idea of parenting, I'm better off handling it myself."

That afternoon, my phone lit up with Victoria's name. I let it ring several times, each chime like a tiny needle under my skin as Theodore's words from yesterday echoed in my head: "Direct all financial matters through Victoria." With a deep breath that did nothing to calm my racing pulse, I answered.

"Sarah, regarding future repayments to Theodore," Victoria began, her voice clinically professional, "contact me directly from now on. He's establishing a foundation for all funds you return, which I'll manage personally."

My jaw clenched so tight my teeth ached. Of course he would put her in charge of my money. "Fine. Send me the account details," I managed, my voice brittle.

"It's not finalized yet." A calculated pause followed, then her tone shifted to something falsely sweet that made my skin crawl. "Sarah, I hope you don't mind me asking... but is something wrong with your baby?"

The question knocked the air from my lungs. My free hand flew protectively to my belly as heat surged into my face. "What did he tell you?" I snarled, fingers gripping the phone so hard I heard the plastic creak.

"Nothing at all," she replied with silky venom. "Just that this foundation is specifically for children with intellectual disabilities. Theodore has never cared about children before, so I wondered if perhaps your baby..." Her voice dripped with mock concern. "Well, it would explain his sudden interest in this cause, wouldn't it?"

That night, I lay in bed watching shadows dance across the ceiling, sleep nowhere to be found. Memories ambushed me from every corner. Morning arrived with me red-eyed but resolute. I had three children counting on me—I would not crumble.

The entrepreneurship summit provided the perfect opportunity to reclaim my public image. As I dressed that morning, selecting a crisp navy suit that concealed my small baby bump. How long had I let others control the narrative about me? About my relationship with Theodore? The woman in the mirror stared back with determined eyes—today, I would take back control.

"Ms. Sullivan! Did you really con Mr. Pierce out of a billion dollars?" The question came with microphones thrust toward my face like weapons.

I stopped, turned directly to the nearest camera, and smiled with deliberate calm. "Yes, absolutely."

The crowd went instantly silent, cameras still rolling but mouths hanging open in shock.

"You're... you're admitting it?" A female reporter stammered, her pen frozen above her notepad.

I shrugged elegantly. "Of course. Why wouldn't I? Mr. Pierce is so wealthy that a billion dollars is pocket change to him." I maintained eye contact with the camera, knowing full well Theodore would see this footage. "Anyone looking to get rich quick should target him next. He's remarkably gullible that way."