Chapter 1151: In the Same Boat

Theodore left after a curt remark. This was Little Bunny's first night sleeping alone in his room. It felt surreal, yet there was no need for overthinking. For her, another moment with him was wasted time.

Next door, Theodore lay awake, unable to sleep. Little Bunny felt rejected; their argument had been undisguised. Tonight, he hadn't even considered touching her. He knew how angry she was, but he wouldn't provoke her further. He simply couldn't bear her hatred.

He smoked, agitated and restless. He shouldn't have sought her out tonight. He shouldn't be searching everywhere for people. He'd seen Little Bunny and Addison together—the ambiguity had been unsettling. Ultimately, he'd lost control.

He knew the slap had hurt, but his pride couldn't withstand it. Even if Little Bunny loved another, even if she'd insulted him, he'd insisted on staying with her. The slap felt less like a lesson for her and more like a chance for him to start over. He wanted a fresh beginning, even considering past relationships; he wasn't one to demand purity.

But now, committed to Little Bunny, he couldn't accept her involvement with other men. The thought of her with Addison, of her not showering alone afterward, drove him nearly mad.

He crushed his cigarette, the burning ember searing his skin, yet he felt no pain. He finally understood heartache, understood Oscar's struggles of the past few years. The pain was far worse than shattering into a thousand pieces.

He threw off his covers and rushed to the bathroom. How could he be so repulsive?

The next day, Little Bunny rose with the sun, preparing to leave for a performance in Kensbury City. She'd planned to see Nicholas, but Theodore's actions made her unsure how to face her son. She feared her disgust for Theodore would affect their relationship.

She opened the door quietly, not wanting to wake Theodore. It wasn't concern for his sleep; she simply wished to avoid him. He hadn't returned to the room after leaving last night, a fact she welcomed.

"Little Bunny," Theodore called from the living room.

"Um," she replied.

"Don't forget what I said," he reminded her coldly, sitting on the couch.

Little Bunny sneered inwardly. Did he think something untoward would happen if she left alone?

"I mean, you should live here," Theodore said, embarrassed by her obvious sarcasm. He realized his lack of sleep and his early awakening, fueled by the fear of losing her forever. He'd waited to remind her to return home, but she'd misunderstood him again.

"I know," she replied, her disgust even more pronounced. Perhaps letting her stay was worse than accusations.

She slammed the door. Theodore cried out in frustration. Why was it so hard to pursue a woman? Why was Little Bunny so difficult? He'd rather she were greedy for money; at least then she'd stay. He considered himself easily satisfied; he just wanted her to not hate him.

The thought drove him nearly mad. He got dressed and left for work. After years, he understood Oscar's perpetual busyness—a distraction from potential madness. Now, Theodore felt on the brink.

At the office, he found Oscar's door open. Had he come to work? Wasn't he supposed to be consumed by his love for Hannah?

He knocked; Oscar told him to enter.

"How could you bear coming to work?" Theodore asked, sitting down. "Is Hannah driving you crazy?"

Oscar paused. "I need to keep things fresh."

"What do you mean?" Theodore frowned, unable to grasp Oscar's meaning, desperate as he was to see Little Bunny.

"You wouldn't understand," Oscar said coldly. "You don't know anything about love."

"What makes you think I don't know about love?" Theodore retorted.

"So, you fell in love?" Oscar asked, looking up.

Theodore felt embarrassed, fearing ridicule over his feelings for Little Bunny.

"Got back together with Little Bunny?"

"How did you know it's Little Bunny?" Theodore wondered if he'd mentioned her.

"I keep tabs on your movements through your assistant," Oscar replied casually.

"Fuck!"

That traitor!

"Then live a serious life with her. You're old; you should settle down," Oscar said.

"I wish!" Theodore admitted. "But she doesn't like me."

Oscar chuckled.

"You're not laughing at me, are you? I don't even want to like her anymore! She's a difficult woman!"

"Is she more difficult than Hannah?"

Theodore sighed, realizing they were in the same boat—both struggling with complicated relationships.