---- Chapter 7 To be honest, this was the one thing that always puzzled me most. Benedict had always been mischievous and unruly, so it made sense that Alexander tried to control his life. But Theodore wasn't like that. He had skipped grades, graduated from university early, conquered the business world, and handled everything with measured ease. He embodied the image of a perfect heir. Logically, even if Alexander had given the order, he could've refused to marry me. "Do you have some kind of illness?" I asked, half- joking. 'you seem like someone who'd marry his career. When I told Grandpa Alexander about it, I thought you'd react like Benedict-turn me down without hesitation." ---- My abrupt question made Theodore laugh. He raised a brow and asked in return, "So, you think I agreed to marry you because something's wrong with me, because no one else would want 2 mes "Ts it so hard to believe... I might just like you?" I chuckled. "T never could read you," I admitted. "When I started university, you were already a doctoral advisor. The night of the freshman welcome party, when you asked me to dance, my heart beat louder than the drums. "But they say older men are immovable objects. I thought the hints I dropped and the feelings I offered would stir something in you, but you never took the bait. "My affection must've looked so transparent in your eyes. You watched my awkward love with a faint smile. ---- "Was it fondness? Pity? Or pure indifference? "T never knew. It felt like my fists were punching air." Theodore didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned in and gently cupped my face in his hands. Then he bent and pressed a featherlight kiss on my forehead. "Sansa," he said softly, "the truth is-I've always been jealous of Benedict. "T envied the fact that you and Benedict were closer in age. I envied the youth you both once shared," Theodore said softly. "T can't help but wonder-if I weren't ten years older than you... "When Grandpa announced our engagement at his birthday party, I should've been the one who matched you best. "Sansa, I'm so much older than you. You