Forbidden Passion
Chapter 228 Aren't Women Just Accessories to Men?

In the kitchen, Vanessa watched Theodore deftly chopping potatoes into neat, small pieces, feeling an acute twinge of discomfort in her chest.

Just the phrase "your wife" from Mrs. Reynolds' lips could dissipate all of her good spirits. She really knew how to hit her where it hurt.

"Theodore, you've got some impressive knife skills. I didn't know you could cook," she said.

Without looking up, he replied, "Picked it up during my time studying abroad, but I hardly ever use it."

"Oh," Vanessa leaned against the countertop, contemplating how, since they had made their relationship official, they seemed to be constantly drifting apart.

The year Theodore turned eighteen, he was sent off to the military for some toughening up by Brandon and then left the country for further education. Vanessa had always strived to keep pace with him, only to find him moving further and further away.

Anxiety plagued her heart. After much struggle, she secured a spot as an exchange student only to find that Theodore ended his studies abroad early and returned to the country, just missing each other once again.

It was this missed connection that triggered her meltdown, making her feel as if Theo didn't love her, as his future and his choices never seemed to take her into account.

She had tirelessly chased after him, always failing to catch up, growing weary from the pursuit. She realized that loving someone wasn't just about giving. She needed to receive as well.

However, her approach to receiving was fatally flawed. Not only did it fail to gauge the depth of Theodore's affection for her, but it also led to her completely losing him.

"Theodore, if you could turn back time, when would you go back to, and what would you change?" Vanessa asked softly.

Theodore's hands paused their potato chopping. When would he want to go back to?

"About you?" he deflected without answering directly.

Vanessa, unfazed by his counter-question, had not really expected an answer. "Three years ago, I guess. I definitely wouldn't board that plane to Poland."

Theo's lips pressed tightly together. "So, you regret that choice?"

Did she regret it?

When she was all alone in a foreign country and received the news that he was going to marry Phoebe, it felt like her world had collapsed.

She had waited every day-waited for him to come to Poland for her, to propose with a bouquet of fiery red roses, to personally promise they would never be apart again.

However, what she ultimately received was the crushing news of him marrying someone else. How could she not feel bitter and heartbroken?

"I..." she started.

Theodore lifted his gaze to meet hers, and as Vanessa locked eyes with him, she saw her own reflection in the dark brown of his pupils. However, the look he gave her was devoid of any emotion.

Her heart gave a lurch; the words "I regret it" halted at her lips, transforming instead into, "I have no regrets. In these past three years, I've been true to myself. I've competed on the international stage and triumphed at the International Piano Competition. I couldn't be prouder."

Theodore's gaze finally softened with a hint of admiration, "Vanessa, I always hope that you'll be true to yourself, never just an accessory to someone else."

The reason he was so drawn to Phoebe, why his eyes couldn't help but follow her, was her authentic self-assurance, even in the smallest matters, which made her shine brightly.

Men like to conquer, and he relished the idea of conquering Phoebe.

Vanessa bit her lower lip. Having known Theodore for years, she was well aware of his taste in women. She strived to become stronger, conforming to his preferences.

In reality, she was inherently a homebody, not particularly ambitious, and somewhat of a romantic at heart.

That was why she spent years chasing after him, only to see him drift further away, leaving her behind without ever pausing to wait.

Just now, she refrained from expressing regret, fearing the disappointment and disdain in his eyes - Theodore detested complacency. With a bitter smile, she said, "Aren't women just accessories to men?"