Chapter 485

Chapter 485
Who Is She?

Theodore's POV.

"You seem a bit surprised... Have you perhaps run into her somewhere?" He asked, the corner of his mouth lifting.

"No... I, it isn't that." I replied awkwardly, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. "I'm just surprised by the fact that you have a grandson. I mean, you're old enough... Just surprised I never knew." I added, forcing a small laugh.

He chuckled, his hand moving to my shoulder.

"I do have a grandson, and I'm going to bring him back here where he belongs." He declared, his fingers pressing briefly against my shoulder.

"And then I will make his bitch of a mother pay for taking him away after killing my son." He threatened, his jaw tightening.

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting toward the portrait.

Killed her husband? She... She murdered her husband?

What had I done? Did he know she was with me?

Heat filled my chest as my palms grew sweaty.

"I think we should discuss business some other time." I suggested, rubbing my damp palms against my trousers.

"Of course," he replied, stepping aside.

I took a long step but clenched my fist and paused as I realized I was walking too fast.

I continued walking, aware of his eyes following me as I left.


Their laughter was the first thing that welcomed me when I entered the hall.

The sight of that portrait hadn't disappeared from my mind as Gotham's words echoed in my head.

She killed her husband and ran away with his baby? Why?

Why did she lie and get me involved in this mess?

My sins as my mother's murderer already tormented me, and I had unknowingly taken another murderer into my space.

I sank into the couch, my eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

If Gotham knew where Melissa was, then he wouldn't sit back.

He would retaliate.

He was a vicious bastard. What if he harmed Raina or Aaron?

I clenched my fist at the thought, my eyes falling on them.

"Theo... You're back," Melissa called softly, and I lifted my gaze.

"How long have you been sitting here? Jeremy wanted you to read him a bedtime story, but he fell asleep." She added casually as she walked down the stairs.

Her eyes narrowed as they settled on mine.

"Theo? Did something happen?" She asked, her brows drawing together.

I didn't answer, just stood up and took off my jacket.

"Tell me. Did something happen?" She pressed, taking another step toward me.

"When Richard was here today, you... You seemed uneasy. Can you tell me why?" I asked, studying her face.

"Why?" She repeated tensely, her fingers twisting together.

"I told you... I'm not used to people coming over here." She explained, glancing toward the staircase.

I scoffed as I rubbed the back of my neck.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Melissa?" I asked, holding her gaze.

She struggled to meet my eyes, her fingers fidgeting.

"What do you mean? I've asked if something is wrong. You're acting weird." She protested, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"Melissa, I..." I began but stopped.

"No, Sarah... I'm going to call you Sarah from now on." I corrected, my jaw tightening.

Her eyes widened at the mention of the name, her hands falling limply to her sides.

"How could you... How could you lie to me?

You deceived me and made me come back here despite everything goddamn thing I have been through." I accused, my hands spreading in disbelief.

"Theo..." She whimpered, her hands reaching for me.

I pulled away, taking a step back.

"I can explain, Theo... I can," she pleaded, her fingers curling together.

"You can explain?" I echoed, one eyebrow lifting as I stared at her.

"How long were you going to hide the fact that you're Gotham's fucking daughter-in-law?" I demanded, my hands curling into fists.

"How fucking long were you going to hide the fact that you killed your husband?" I demanded, stepping closer.

"When he harms my family or when I commit another mistake like I did all those years ago." I continued, my chest rising sharply.

She trembled as tears spilled down her cheeks, and I turned my face away for a moment.

"How could you make such a fool of me, huh? I fucking trusted you. I was fucking willing to put my sister at risk just so you could get the justice I thought you and your child deserved." I accused, my hands falling to my sides.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered, her voice breaking.

I dragged a hand through my hair and paced a step away.

"I think it's too late to be sorry." I replied, shaking my head.

"He already knows you're in town, and he's actively looking for you and your son." I warned, turning my gaze back to her.

"I was going to tell you, I swear. I was going to tell you everything. I... I was afraid you were going to leave me." She pleaded, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Please listen to me, Theodore. Let me explain." She reached for my arm, but I stepped back.

"I... Did what I had to. I had to protect my baby from that devil." She insisted, pressing a trembling hand against her chest.

"You killed your husband," I replied, my jaw tightening.

"Because I had to," she defended, shaking her head. "He was going to kill me. If I didn't kill him, I was the one who was going to die."

I blinked, pausing for a second.

"He was going to kill me. That abusive bastard was going to kill me and turn my baby into a monster like him." She pleaded, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand.

"I swear to you. He was just like his father. A brutal psycho that did whatever he wanted. I was nothing but a toy. A plaything his father bought for him." She continued, her fingers curling into her dress as she looked away.

"I lied to you before because I feared you wouldn't help me if you knew I was his daughter-in-law. But I'm not lying now." She insisted, shaking her head firmly.

I stumbled back, my face falling into my palms as my head throbbed with confusion.

Who was I supposed to believe?

Just then, the doorbell rang, loud and incessant.

My chest tightened even more as my gaze moved to the door.

I looked back at Melissa.

"Hurry up the stairs. Go... Go to Jeremy's room and lock the door behind you." I ordered, pointing toward the staircase.