Ellinor had just come down the stairs when she noticed Theo. She gave him a quick glance, then swiftly looked away.
âI appreciate his offer, but I donât want to grab a bite. Iâve got other stuff to do.â Ellinor politely declined Belinda.
Belinda was a bit ticked off. âAuntie, whatâs up with you? Why donât you even want to share a meal?â
Ellinor didnât answer her question. Instead, she only smiled. âBelinda, I think itâs better if you just call me by my name now.â
Belinda was a tad peeved. âAuntie, havenât I always called you that? Whyâ¦?â
âJust lay off calling her Auntie if she doesnât want it.â
Before Ellinor could respond to Belinda, the window slowly lowered in the back seat of a distant black business car, revealing Theoâs stern face.
He was the one who just spoke.
Belinda rolled her eyes in frustration. âFine! Ellinor, come dine with us, or if youâre heading somewhere, my uncle can give you a lift.
âNo need.â Ellinor shook her head, ready to walk past Belinda and leave.
Theoâs voice rang out again. âGet in the car, Ellinor. Donât we need to settle this once and for all?â
Ellinor paused; her heart felt like it was clenched in a vice grip.
He was right; it was high time they settled things.
Apparently, Theo didnât have much of a hold on her, nor was he planning to be a clingy pain in the ass.
She had wasted half a year hiding for nothing, completely overthinking things.
Ellinor turned to look at him. âAlright, letâs settle this!â
Then she instructed Idaâs secretary to go back and then she walked towards Theoâs car.
Belinda called down her already boarded boyfriend to sit in the front passenger seat, then tried to help the pregnant Ellinor into the car.
Ellinor waved off Belindaâs help, signaling her to get in first.
The back seat could only fit three people. Theo was already in the car. If Ellinor was the one who got in first, she would have to sit in the middle, right next to Theo.
The implication behind Ellinorâs gesture for Belinda to get in first couldnât be clearer. Belinda, of course, understood but resigned, so she climbed in first.
No one noticed Theoâs expression change.
After getting in the car, Ellinor kept looking at the scenery outside.
She agreed to get in because Belinda and her boyfriend were present today. Otherwise, she might have had to face Theo alone, which she didnât want.
The atmosphere in the car was suffocating, and no one spoke.
Even the usually talkative Belinda, now awkwardly sandwiched in the middle, didnât know what to say.
But staying silent was even more stifling.
Belinda tried to lighten the mood, so she chuckled and broke the ice. âAuntie, where have you been all this time?â
Ellinor replied. âI went to a quiet place and spent some time alone.â
Belinda asked curiously. âWere you all by yourself?â
Ellinor grunted in a low voice as a sign of approval.