Chapter 18 " Clarisse ! " Theodore's voice rang out in a hoarse , desperate shout , trembling with fear even he had not noticed . At first , Clarisse could not believe what she was hearing . She thought she was imagining it . It was not until Theodore hurried toward her with eyes full of anticipation that she realized he had actually come looking for her . Seeing the familiar white suit and the bouquet of roses in his arms , a flood of memories surged up in an instant . For a brief moment , she was in a daze . But only for a moment , for it passed as quickly as it came . What remained in her gaze was a quiet calmness . " Congratulations . The performance was outstanding . " Theodore tried to mask the unease gnawing at him , forcing his voice to stay steady . He took a step forward , still clutching the bouquet . His eyes swept , seemingly unintentionally , over the man standing at Clarisse's side . " This is ? " he asked , trying to sound casual . Zachary immediately caught the hostility and possessiveness in Theodore's eyes . He did not react much , just giving a slight nod and keeping a respectful distance . He left the response to Clarisse . " Zachary Sinclair . A friend . " Her tone was flat , devoid of warmth . She had no intention of introducing them further . " Mr. Brooke , it's been a while . If you've nothing else to say , you can leave now ." The coldness in her eyes and that formal greeting struck Theodore like a blade . The composure he clung to nearly cracked . He pretended not to hear the distance in her words and spoke quickly . His tone was tinged with pleading . " Clarisse , you've been gone for so long . I miss you . When are you coming back ? Or if you don't want to , that's fine too . I'll stay here with you for however long you want ! " He stepped closer , reaching out for her wrist , but Clarisse immediately stepped back to avoid his touch . " Mr. Brooke . We're already divorced , " she stated the fact calmly . " The divorce certificate has already been mailed to you . There's nothing between us anymore . " " No ! Clarisse , I never wanted to divorce you ! " His voice rose , emotions spilling over . " That divorce certificate doesn't count . You'll always be my wife ! " Clarisse could not help but laugh hearing his words . Her lips curled into a cold, mocking smile . " Mr. Brooke , you signed that divorce agreement with your own hands . Legally , our marriage is over . " " I didn't know it was a divorce agreement . I had no idea what I was signing ! If I'd known , I would've rather died than signed it ! Clarisse , come back with me . We can remarry right away ! " Chapter 18 273- As he spoke , he reached out again , trying to take her by force . Zachary , who had been silent this whole time , stepped forward and blocked his path . His eyes were cold as he looked at Theodore . " Mr. Brooke , Clarisse already made herself clear . She doesn't want to see you . Please respect her wishes . " Theodore exploded with rage at Zachary's words . " And who the hell do you think you are ? What happens between me and Clarisse is none of your business ! Get out of my way ! " he roared . " Theodore Brooke ! Enough ! " Clarisse's voice rang out , sharp and furious . Her eyes were filled with nothing but disgust . " I don't know what made you leave your son and Bianca behind just to show up here acting like a madman . " Her voice turned cold and quiet . " I had hoped we could end things cleanly . That we could at least preserve a trace of good memories from what we had . But you insisted on coming here to ruin even that . " " You want me to go back ? " She looked at him as if he were a stranger . " Go back and keep being the eyesore in your perfect family of four ? Watch you all play a happy family ? Go back to being framed and hurt again and again ? " Hearing her words , Theodore rushed to deny everything . " I never slept with Bianca ! Caleb isn't my child ! Bianca schemed everything ! I never touched her , and I've already gotten rid of that test - tube baby . " Clarisse , come back with me . I promise ! No one will ever come between us again . We can start over , just like before . " When he said Caleb was not his , a flicker of surprise crossed Clarisse's face . Caleb , who changed everything and shattered her marriage , was not even his ? The irony was brutal indeed . That flicker of emotion in her eyes gave Theodore false hope . He mistook it for hesitation and opened his mouth again . " Enough , Theodore , " Clarisse cut him off , her voice edged with disgust . " Whether that baby was conceived in a lab or not , you know better than anyone . And whether Caleb is your biological son , it doesn't matter . " Her gaze cut straight through him , sharp as a blade , leaving the truth in bare sight . " What matters is that from the moment you betrayed me - again and again , choosing to hurt me - whatever we had ended . " " No ! Clarisse , please … " Theodore stepped forward . She stepped back , putting a distance between them . " There's nothing more to say . " Her gaze flicked past his pale face to the rose still cradled in his arms . Her voice was flat and emotionless . " Keep the flowers . Give them to someone who needs them . Zachary , let's go . " She did not spare Theodore a second glance and turned to walk away with Zachary at her side . Zachary looked back once at the frozen Theodore with a complicated expression . So , this was the man who had hurt Clarisse ? He really thought he deserved her forgiveness . How laughable ! Theodore stood frozen , the bouquet now destined to never be delivered , as he watched the two of them . walk away . Everything he had hoped for had shattered . He could only watch her leave without so much as a backward glance , her figure disappearing beside Zachary , who stood so naturally by her side . Despair swallowed him whole . " Clarisse … " Theodore stared down at the roses in his arms , eyes filled with hopelessness and despair . He was determined . He refused to let her go . He would bring her back to his side , no matter what it took . As he lifted his head , his gaze brimmed with the determination of someone teetering on the edge of madness with nothing to lose . Chapter 19 1/2 Chapter 19