Theo smirked. âI heard from Collin that youâve been quite the caretaker for my wife. Should I throw a banquet to thank you?â
The atmosphere turned tense in an instant, and the air between the two men was dangerously charged.
Bartlett clearly didnât want any conflicts, so he replied with a smile, âItâs the least I could do. Weâve been friends for years; there is no need to make a big deal out of it. Anyway, now that youâre back, I wonât intrude on your coupleâs time anymore. I, a lone bachelor, will go grab breakfast.â
With that, Bartlett chuckled at his own joke, waved, and leisurely walked out.
No one saw him the moment he exited the room; his eyes were dull, like a night sky devoid of stars and the moon, empty.
Bartlett had the sense to close the door behind him when he left.
Theoâs eyebrows relaxed. He looked at the woman, who was still covering her face, and laughed, âWhat are you doing? Heâs gone.â
Ellinor kept her face covered. She really didnât feel like seeing anyone.
It was embarrassing enough for him, but he had to drag her into it, talking about coupleâs intimate affairs with others. She was mortified!
Seeing her still motionless, Theo reached out to remove her hands. âWhy are you covering your face?
Think if you cover it, people canât see you? Ostrich?â
Ellinor frowned, âAll because of you. Why did you have to talk about coupleâs intimate affairs with Xenia? Do you really want to get peopleâs imaginations running wild?â
Theo smirked, pinching her chin, âI want them to imagine, to keep their distance! So they know youâre mine.â
Ellinor rolled her eyes. You donât think youâre being a bit too domineering?â
Theo raised his brows and responded, âIâve always been like this.â
Ellinor sighed True that!
He then handed her some undergarments, âAre you still going to wear these?â
Ellinor glared at him and clutched the clothes to her chest, âStay away!â
He just chuckled, finding her adorable. The only problem was that she wouldnât let him get close.
If they were alone, heâd definitely steal a kiss to satisfy his craving.
Ellinor clutched her clothes, feeling a tug at her hem. Looking down, she saw Baberâs tiny hand. He was looking up at her.
Ellinor quickly tossed her clothes aside and squatted down to ask Baber gently, âWhatâs up? Hungry?â
Baber shook his head, âNo, Iâm not hungryâ¦â
Ellinor looked into his big eyes and asked, âThen what do you want to do? Itâs okay, just say it. No one here will give you a hard time!â
Baber cuddled up to Ellinor, looked over at Theo, his little mind turning, then turned his gaze back to Ellinor, saying, âLeave⦠I want to leaveâ¦â
Ellinor felt a pang of sadness at his words. She caressed his head, âWeâll leave! I came here to get you.
I promised to save you, and I will.â
Baber looked into her eyes and felt an unprecedented sense of security. He obediently nodded, saying gratefully, âThank you⦠Ms. Mendozaâ¦â
Just as Ellinor was about to pat his head again, she found him roughly pulled away by Theo, who then asked, âWhat did you just call her?â