Ida and Ellinor were both left speechless.
Bartlett was stunned. He couldnât help but admire him. âThatâs a wake-up call! Byran, I see you acting like a kid all day, but who knew you spoke with such clarity.â
âI wouldnât say Iâm clear about the whole thing, but I just donât like that kind of love where thereâs too much ego involved. Whatâs the use of a tug-of-war between two people? They waste all their time without truly being together, only thinking about useless things. If youâre in love, who cares if you lose?â
Ellinor narrowed her eyes. Her face darkened with complexity.
She and Theo had reached their limits. They had wasted so much time not truly being together, and nowâ¦.
She was only now realizing the principles that Byran understood. What a joke!
Ida, sensing that Ellinor was not in a good mood, frowned and then stood up, dragging Byran along.
âYouâre coming with me to the restroom.â
.
Byran was pulled up against his will, but he followed gladly. âIda, youâre so clingy. You even want me to accompany you to the restroom? Alright, alright, Iâll go with you. Just slow down.â
Ida fell silent.
This kidâ¦
She wished he would just shut up.
After Ida and Byran left only Ellinor and Bartlett were left in the box, along with her three children, who didnât understand what the adults were talking about.
Bartlett seemed to sense that Ellinor was feeling sentimental. He pursed his lips and said, âByran is the youngest here, but he seems to be a love expert. He understands more than I do.â
Ellinor laughed at herself. âYes! Sometimes, the simpler and more primitive the thinking, the purer it is.â
Bartlett looked at her deeply. âMmm⦠To avoid wasting more precious time, why donât we have a talk?â
Ellinor became slightly alert. âTalk about what?â
Bartlett smiled. âWhat else? About love, of course!â
Ellinor frowned, thinking that Bartlett was spouting nonsense again.
But before she could refuse, little Layla spoke up for her, âNo way! Mister, you canât date my mommy!â
Bartlett paused. âOh? Why not? I would treat you and your mommy well.â
Layla furrowed her brows seriously. âBecause youâre not my type! I donât like your type for a dad!â
Bartlett was curious. âThen what type of man would you like as a father? I can change.â
Layla continued, âTo be my dad, first of all, you have to be handsome, much more handsome than my uncle. Mister, youâre pretty, but youâre not as masculine as my uncle. So, you donât qualify.â
Bartlettâs eyebrows furrowed. This little girl was saying he wasnât masculine?
âLayla, I think you have some misunderstandings about me. Iâm actually quite manly, itâs just that Iâm gentler in front of your mommy.â
Layla shook her head. âNo! Mister, I advise you to give up on my mommy. You canât handle her at all.
Youâre nothing like the man who could be my dad.â
Bartlett rested his cheek on his hand, coaxing the child. âI will definitely try harder. Iâm becoming more courageous after these setbacks. One day, youâll think I could be a good dad for you.â