Theo had heard the rumors about Ellinor having a tough time at her home, but he had no idea it was this bad, even her own family treated her like this, her dad included.
Looking down at the expressionless Ellinor, Theo felt a knot in his stomach. He couldnât even begin to imagine how much crap she mustâve gone through growing up in the Mendoza family to become this unflappable.
âSwap? Why would I swap? Iâve always intended to marry Miss Ellinor here, not someone else. Theo scoffed.
Sheila wasnât buying it!
She thought it was all Ellinor bewitching Theo with sweet nothings.
âMr. Blanchet, how on earth could you be marrying Ellinor? Donât believe a word she says; she would say anything to marry you! Youâre supposed to marry me, I even received the engagement ring you sent me! Look!â
With that, Sheila raised her hand, showing Theo the diamond ring she had purposely worn on her ring finger.
Theo just stared blankly at Sheilaâs diamond ring Then he took Ellinorâs hand, his fingers brushing over the diamond ring on her ring finger.
Iâm sorry, this is the Blanchet familyâs heirloom engagement ring: Iâm not sure where you got yours.â
Sheila frowned, a bit confused.
When the Blanchet family sent someone to deliver wedding gifts, they said âMs. Mendozaâ had accepted Mr. Blanchetâs engagement ring.
Around that time, she received an anonymous diamond ring. If it wasnât from Mr. Blanchet, then who could it be?
Thereâs no such thing as a coincidence!
Mr. Blanchet must be marrying her!
âAh! I get it! It was her! Ellinor swapped the ring when I wasnât looking, fooled you into trusting her, and took my place!â
Theoâs eyes darkened with disgust, âThe ring on Ellinorâs finger is the Blanchet familyâs heirloom. The band is made of platinum mixed with a special material. It canât be taken off without a special solution.
If it canât be taken off, how could it be swapped?â
Sheila was taken aback, âHowâ¦how could that be?â
Holding Ellinorâs hand tenderly as if it were a precious treasure, Theo said, âMoreover, this ring was put on her finger by me when we got engaged. Do you still think I could mistake who Iâm going to marry?â
Sheila looked stunned. Engaged? Theo and Ellinor were engaged?
She refused to believe it and shook her head vigorously, âNo, this canât be1 Mr. Blanchet, a man of your stature couldnât possibly be interested in a plain Jane like Ellinor! Iâm a popular actress and Iâm clearly a better fit to be your wife!â
There was no emotion in Theoâs eyes, âMiss Sheila, Iâm not sure where you got the impression that I would be interested in you?â
Sheila was at a loss, but she was not one to accept defeat, âMr. Blanchet, if you could fall for someone as plain as Ellinor, why wouldnât you fall for me? I really donât understand. Where do I fall short compared to Ellinor?â
At this, someone burst out laughing.