Ellinor stepped into the living room and was a bit taken aback.
The house looked old and worn out from the outside, but the inside was a pleasant surprise. Although it wasnât big, it was stylishly furnished and spotless; it didnât look like it was frequently used at all.
Ellinor, make yourself at home. Iâll get you something to drink.â Bartlett said as he headed towards the kitchen.
Ellinor sat down next to the sofa, casually taking in the surroundings, until a bottle of yogurt was presented to her.
Bartlett, with a wide grin, said, âYouâre pregnant now, so you canât just drink anything, right? Yogurt should be fine, yeah?â
Ellinor took the yogurt and politely responded, âThank you.â
Bartlett popped open a can of cola, took a sip, and sat on the sofa next to her.
Ellinor held the bottle of yogurt, spinning it in her hand as if she were looking for something.
Bartlett, seeing her actions, couldnât help but laugh. âWhat? Are you scared that I mightâve poisoned you?â
Ellinor looked up at him, âNo. Didnât you say you donât come here often? I donât know how long the stuff in your fridge has been there. I was checking if the yogurt was expired.â
Bartlett chuckled, âI bought that yesterday specifically for you. Everything in the fridge is fresh; you can drink it without worrying.â
Only after finding the expiration date and confirming it was fresh did Ellinor open the bottle and take a sip.
Bartlett, resting his cheek on his hand, looked at her affectionately. âEllinor, are you really leaving Theo this time?â
Hearing that name made the taste of the yogurt in Ellinorâs mouth suddenly bitter. âWhat else? You think Iâm playing hide and seek with him?â
Bartlett squinted at her, âCan you tell me why?â
Ellinor didnât really want to talk about it, but since Bartlett helped her, she felt it would be rude not to answer.
âBecause heâs been dishonest with me, heâs deceived my feelings.â
Bartlett raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused. âJust for that?â
Ellinor frowned but continued to answer him. âIsnât that serious enough? If thereâs no honesty between two people, why should they stay together?â Bartlett sighed and said slowly, âIn the adult world, is there such a thing as pure love? All love is just a choice made after weighing its value.â
Ellinor admitted that Bartlett had a point. âMaybe Iâm the weird one for being a love purist. I might just stop dating altogether.â
âNo need for that! Look at me! Look at me!â Bartlett laughed while pointing at himself.
Ellinor rolled her eyes at him, âWhat? One minute youâre saying thereâs no such thing as pure love, and now you want me to look at you? Are you stupid?â Bartlett sat up straighter, âIâm not, but I donât pretend to be something Iâm not. Ellinor, you know how I feel about you, right? Now that youâve decided to leave Theo, how about giving me a chance?â
Ellinor looked at him with some doubt, âBartlett, are you serious?â
Bartlett nodded, âDo I look like Iâm joking?â
Ellinor scoffed, âDonât forget that Iâm still carrying Theoâs child. Even though Iâve decided to leave him, I havenât planned on getting an abortion. Are you okay with me being a woman carrying another manâs child?â
Bartlett immediately responded, âI donât mind. Just have another one for me later!â
Ellinor was speechless.