Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 686

Realizing she had slipped up, Ella snapped her mouth shut.

Theodore returned his attention to the pastries.

"Even if we hadn't met back then," he said quietly, "I still would have fallen for her."

Ella smiled warmly and pointed out a few treats for herself.

"I know," she said.

It didn't take long for Theodore to finalize his massive order.

Even though Glenn Manor had an executive chef, he knew Emilia and Bella adored the pastries from this specific shop.

He had noticed it the very first time they visited.

Just picturing the bright smile that would light up Emilia's face when she saw the dessert box made the corners of his lips tilt upward.

Stepping out of the bakery, Theodore felt like even the clouds in the sky looked cheerful.

"Come over for dinner this weekend," Theodore told his sister. "She loves having a full house."

"You got it, Boss," Ella teased, sticking her tongue out as she grabbed her bags.

They parted ways.

But as Theodore slid into the backseat of his Bentley, his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.

Parked quietly in the shadows across the street was a sleek Maybach.

"Is everything alright, sir?" his driver asked.

Theodore withdrew his gaze and shook his head. "Just drive."

"Yes, sir." The driver pulled into traffic and smoothly left the block.

As the Bentley disappeared around the corner, the tinted window of the Maybach slowly rolled down, revealing Tyler's brooding face.

Tyler watched Theodore's car vanish into the city, then shifted his dark gaze to the brightly lit pastry shop.

A wave of profound regret washed over him.

It suddenly hit him.

In all the years they had been together, he had never once gone out of his way to buy Emilia her favorite dessert.

The only gift he had ever painstakingly chosen for her was the bottle of perfume she had deliberately left behind in their old house.

From the driver's seat, Israel Jensen glanced at Tyler through the rearview mirror. He knew exactly what his boss was agonizing over.

Meanwhile, across town.

Emilia and Xenia returned from their massive shopping spree, their arms laden with designer bags.

Xenia stayed for a quick cup of coffee before heading out. Her mission for the day was complete; she had paraded Emilia around town, making sure all the right people saw them together.

She wanted Alden City to know that she proudly claimed Emilia as her daughter-in-law.

Standing in the grand foyer as the staff hurried to put away her new purchases, Emilia felt a bit dazed.

She had always imagined Xenia as an untouchable, fiercely elegant matriarch.

But today had proven otherwise.

In the car ride back, Emilia had mentioned her surprise.

Xenia had simply laughed. "There is no point in putting on airs when you are just living your life."

"After Theodore's father passed, Theodore was exiled to the ocean. I had no idea if he was dead or alive. I was stuck in Alden City raising Ella and George on my own. No matter how gentle you are, a situation like that forces you to grow claws."

"I know about how you and Theodore met at sea. Don't worry, honey. I am entirely in your corner."

Watching the maids bustle about, Emilia's thoughts drifted to her own mother, Paisley.