The Tyrant's Stolen Bride-Chapter 137: Exploited Love

Several days had passed since the kidnapping. Theo still had a few days before he needed to return to the military base, and he found himself driving to Chavan Private Hospital.

He parked outside, his hand reaching for his phone as he dialed.

After several rings, the call disconnected.

"Tsk... why are you ignoring me?" he sighed, frustration settling deep in his chest. He had been trying to call since last night, but still couldn’t get through.

His hand rested on the door handle as he hesitated.

After a moment’s thought, he pushed the car door open.

Theo tapped the smooth surface of the front lobby counter lightly.

"How may I help you?" the staff member greeted him with a polite smile.

"I’m here to see Dr. Mia... which way should I go?"

The smile faltered slightly. "Dr. Mia?" She hesitated.

"I’m sorry, sir. She hasn’t been coming to work for a long time."

Theo frowned. "How long?"

"About three months. She’s been on medical leave."

Theo’s expression hardened.

He turned and walked away, his pace quickening as he headed straight back to his car.

After a few minutes on the road, Theo’s car slowed and stopped in front of the gates of the Chavan mansion.

A security guard walked up to his window.

"I’m here to see Mia. Tell her a friend wants to meet her," Theo said, his voice firm.

"Your name?"

"Theodore Pierce."

The guard returned to his post. After a brief call to the house, the gates slid apart.

He drove into the porch, where a butler was already waiting and he was escorted straight to the parlor.

"Please, have a seat," the butler said before heading toward the kitchen to ask a maid to serve tea.

Theo sat down. His foot tapped lightly against the floor, restless. Coming here was a bad idea. Mia had warned him not to but he had come anyway.

Soft footsteps echoed as someone descended the stairs.

Theo stood the moment Marce approached and inclined his head slightly in greeting.

"Hello, Mrs. Chavan—"

The slap came without warning.

His head turned with the impact. It didn’t hurt, but it froze him in place. The air in the room felt cold.

"Marce."

Silas hurried down the stairs and grabbed his wife’s arm.

"You’re only making things harder for Mia."

Marce didn’t flinch. Her eyes remained locked on Theo, blazing with unrestrained fury.

Theo couldn’t help wondering how it had come to this—being treated so harshly even though he had never expected a warm welcome to begin with.

Maybe this was the reason Mia had warned him not to come. It was painfully clear that the Chavans detested him.

He guessed her family had discovered what had happened the last time they were together.

He remembered that night clearly. It had been her first time. She had let him touch her, trusting him in a way that still lingered in his chest whenever he thought about it.

"I’m sorry... I only came to see Mia. I won’t take long."

Another slap landed across Theo’s cheek before Silas could do anything.

"Marce!" Silas called her again, his voice firmer this time.

"Your sorry doesn’t change anything. You’ve ruined my daughter’s life!" Marce’s breath trembled as she fought back tears.

Silas remained silent for moment. His expression showed he shared his wife’s feelings, but he refused to escalate things. He wouldn’t add to Mia’s burden by turning this into something worse.

"Peter," Silas called.

The butler appeared at the parlor doorway. "Yes, sir?"

"Is Mia ready?"

"She is, sir."

Silas nodded. Without even looking at Theo, he said, "Take him to her room."

He then guided Marce to sit and try to calm her.

Theo followed the butler, but his gaze lingered on the couple behind him. The depth of their sadness caught him off guard. Could one night truly leave wounds this deep?

Peter knocked then stepped aside to let Theo in. His gaze immediately drawn to Mia. She looked pale.

Mia was sitting up, her back propped against the pillows. Despite how weak she looked, she smiled at him.

He pulled the chair closer and sat beside the bed.

"Oh, Theo, don’t look at me like that," she said, letting out a soft laugh.

Theo frowned, his gaze lingering on her. He couldn’t hide the ache in his eyes.

"How long have you been sick? Why wouldn’t you answer my calls?"

He paused, his voice lowering. "You’ve lost weight."

Mia was silent for a moment.

She had ignored his calls on purpose, hoping she could hide everything from him. But the moment Peter told her he was here, something in her heart shifted.

She pulled open the drawer of the bedside table, took something out, and handed it to him.

"What is this?" Theo asked.

Mia said nothing. She let him read it for himself.

"You’re pregnant."

Mia nodded, her expression empty of joy. She pressed her lips together, guilt twisting inside her as she watched him.

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" He squeezed her hands, his gaze steady on hers.

"About your family. I’ll talk to them. I’ll take responsibility."

"It’s not what you think, Theo." Mia leaned closer, holding his hands, knowing her situation was far more complicated than he realized.

"Then what is it?" His voice held a quiet happiness, and his gaze warm and gentle.

She turned her gaze away, unable to bear looking straight into those eyes.

"I’m sorry. I deceived you that night."

Theo frowned. He thought she was only trying to ease his heart by taking the blame on herself.

"If you’re only trying to calm me because of guilt... it doesn’t matter. I’m far happier that you told me you’re pregnant. I’ve waited for this moment for so long. This is my chance to love you."

Mia clenched the fabric of her dress over her chest. The more time passed, the more Theo poured out his thoughts, and the more she felt like a sinner.

She never wanted to feel this way. Maybe it had been a mistake to meet him at all. But it was already too late.

His brow furrowed as he studied her miserable expression. She was hiding something beyond the pregnancy.

He reached out and held her hand. "Mia, what’s been bothering you?"

"Theo... I couldn’t afford to love you. And yet... I took advantage of you."