Chapter 9 1/3 On the sunlit beaches of Solara , the sky was impossibly blue , and the ocean stretched endlessly to the horizon . Theodore strolled along the sand with Bianca and Caleb . The breeze was warm and fresh . It was Caleb's first time seeing the ocean . He was giddy with excitement , using a small shovel and his toy tools to build sandcastles . " Daddy ! Look at my castle ! There's a place for all three of us , and for the baby in Mommy's tummy , too ! We can all live together ! " Caleb ran over , tugging Theodore's hand , his little face beaming with joy . Theodore smiled and ruffled Caleb's hair , offering praise , " It's wonderful , Caleb . I love your castle! " Still , his thoughts drifted elsewhere . The familiar sights and sounds stirred memories of his seaside honeymoon with Clarisse . He remembered how they'd once walked hand in hand under the moonlight along the shore . The waves would lap at their ankles , making Clarisse squeal in surprise each time . Clarisse had worn a flowing white dress , the breeze tugging at its hem , and the moonlight casting a soft glow on her face . She looked like an angel fallen to earth . He recalled the way he'd pulled her close and kissed her , unable to resist . Clarisse had been so shy then , her heart racing , her soft arms instinctively wrapping around his waist . When the kiss ended , her face was flushed with shyness and sweetness . She was so beautiful that it took his breath away . How long had it been since he last saw that sparkle in her eyes ? Ever since Bianca and Caleb moved in , all the joy and warmth had slowly drained from Clarisse's face . The image of Clarisse lying in the hospital bed , her eyes empty and her face pale , flashed through his mind . A wave of panic tightened in his chest . He realized just how much he had neglected her and how much he owed her . But luckily , Bianca was pregnant , and everything was supposedly back on track . Theodore reminded himself that once they got home , he would make it all up to Clarisse . He would take her anywhere she wanted and fulfill her every wish - just like he had promised at the beginning . " Theo , Caleb's tired . Let's go rest over there , " Bianca said gently , snapping him out of his thoughts . Bianca slipped her arm through his and leaned in close . Theodore stiffened for a moment but didn't pull away . He nodded and followed her to the lounge chairs by the sea . Bianca scrolled through the photos on her phone , carefully selecting the best ones that showed their happy family of four at the beach . 2/3 She posted them on social media with the caption , " Daddy took time off to take our boy to the beach ! Loving these sweet moments as a family of four ! " Theodore's gaze fell on Bianca's slightly rounded belly , then shifted to Caleb , whose sun - kissed cheeks glowed as he leaned happily against her . A thought crept into his mind - maybe it was time for him and Clarisse to have a child of their own . He found himself wishing for a daughter . He imagined a sweet little girl , just as beautiful and charming as Clarisse , inheriting her love for music . She would throw her arms around his , call him " Daddy " in a soft voice , and practice piano with Clarisse while he played the role of their most devoted audience , always ready with applause and encouragement . Whatever she wanted , he would make sure she had it , spoiling her into the happiest little princess in the world . As these images floated through his mind , a warm smile crept onto his lips . That afternoon , Bianca took the tired Caleb upstairs for a nap , while Theodore slipped out to the shopping center next to their hotel . He wanted to pick out a few gifts for Clarisse , both as a surprise and a small gesture to make it up to her . He missed her more than ever and couldn't wait to get back home to her . After he finished shopping , the sales associate handed him the beautifully wrapped boxes with a beaming smile . " Sir , your wife is going to love these . " Hearing this , Theodore couldn't help but break into a satisfied grin . In his mind , he was already planning it out . He'd give Clarisse the gifts as soon as he got home , say all the right things to coax her back , and then maybe they'd take a trip together . They could chase the aurora or watch the sunrise somewhere new . As long as he was with Clarisse , it didn't matter where they went . All he wanted was to see her smile again . When Theodore returned to their hotel suite , Caleb was already fast asleep . Bianca was lounging on the couch , flipping idly through a magazine . Her eyes immediately lit up as soon as she spotted the glossy shopping bags in Theodore's hands . She quickly set down the magazine and walked over , her excitement and anticipation impossible to hide . " Theo , you're back ! You must be tired . You know , having you here with me and Caleb is already the best gift I could ask for . Why did you buy so much ? Are these toys for Caleb ? " Theodore's steps faltered a bit , his face flashing with discomfort . Bianca reached for one of the bags and gasped with delight when she spotted the iconic luxury jewelry box inside . " Theo , you even bought me a present ? You shouldn't have . Just getting something for Caleb Chapter 9 would have been enough … " She was already reaching for the box , eager to open it . 33 " It's not for you , " Theodore said , his tone as cold as a bucket of ice water , instantly wiping away the smile from her face . Bianca's hand froze in midair . She looked up , her expression caught between shock and embarrassment , " It's for Clarisse , " Theodore said evenly . You're almost three months along . Once your pregnancy is more stable , I'll arrange for you and Caleb to move out of the villa . I'll make sure you're well taken care of . " Bianca's smile nearly slipped . She nodded stiffly . " Alright , Theo . Caleb might be waking up . I'll go check on . him . " With that , she quickly turned away , biting her lip so hard it almost bled , her eyes dark with hatred . She couldn't believe Theodore still wanted to make things right with Clarisse after everything that had happened . Placing a hand on her belly , her anger slowly gave way to cold determination . It didn't matter . She had already used Caleb to move into the Brooke residence . Now , with this baby , she was certain she would one day take Clarisse's place and become the mistress of the family . Whatever it took , she would make sure Clarisse disappeared from Theodore's life forever . Chapter 10 Chapter 10