Chapter 1144: Outburst

Little Bunny stared blankly at Theodore. Had he discovered her relationship with Addison? When? Had he seen them last night? It seemed impossible. Last night was late, his house wasn't across the gate, and he'd been on his phone in his bedroom. How could he have seen Addison bringing her home? She didn't believe he'd been waiting downstairs.

"What's wrong? Scared you?" Theodore approached, his voice cold, laced with suppressed anger. Susan's earlier words had clearly provoked him. Why couldn't Little Bunny like him? What did he lack compared to Addison? He refused to accept her leaving him for another man. Seeing her dressed up and ready to go out, he lost control.

Every time she returned, she immediately removed her makeup and changed, concealing her most beautiful self from him, as if he didn't deserve it. He decided, then, to make his position clear: he wouldn't allow her to be with Addison, even if it meant forcing her obedience. He was efficient, decisive; he didn't indulge in sentimentality.

He took her phone. She disliked others touching her belongings, especially her phone, and instinctively tried to retrieve it. He easily evaded her attempts; her shorter stature put her at a disadvantage, fueling her irritation.

"Theodore, give it back!" she snapped, her tone unusually sharp. She hadn't spoken to him like this in over six months. Her anger stemmed from his unauthorized appropriation of her property.

"Is there something in your phone you don't want me to see?" he asked.

"Give it back!"

"Disgusting text histories with Addison? Nude photos?"

"Theodore!" she yelled. "Have you said enough?"

"Was I right?" he raised an eyebrow. "Don't stars love these kinds of relationships? I've seen plenty in your circle; it's pathetic!"

"Give it back!" She refused to listen. His words insulted her. In his eyes, she was despicable—submitting herself for fame, for life, for glamour. Wasn't that despicable, too?

She admitted it, but she resented his intrusion into her privacy.

"I want to see what you were talking about," he said, unable to resist the urge to see how far her relationship with Addison had progressed.

Her phone wasn't locked. He checked her contacts; the earlier call was from her agent. In her messages, he found her reply: "I can't leave now. I'll come later. Tell the organizers."

He looked up at her, her eyes cold and sarcastic. Reservations were gone. He found Addison's contact and opened their chat. It was blank. They'd only added each other, never communicating through the app. Or perhaps they used different accounts. Stars were masters of subterfuge, weren't they? They excelled at maintaining secret relationships.

"Are you done?" she asked, knowing there was nothing to find. She and Addison had agreed not to meet privately to avoid complications.

"Theodore, give me my phone," Little Bunny said calmly.

He hesitated, then returned it. She took it silently. "I'm going to make lunch," she announced.

"Little Bunny, do you have no temper with me?" he watched her go. Moments ago, she'd been angry; now she was docile. "Or do you not care enough?"

"It's useless," she said. "What's the point? Can I change you? You'll do what you want. Rebelling is pointless. It's easier to comply."

"So being with me is a compromise?" he knew the answer, but sought confirmation.

"Yes," she replied honestly, turning to face him. Secrets were unnecessary. Consequences be damned. "I've waited for you to tire of me, to find someone new. So tell me, Theodore, how long until that day?"

He laughed. He'd thought they were truly together again; she'd been pretending.

"You're ready to leave me, then?"

"Yes. I thought I could tolerate it, but I can't anymore."