After Belinda finished cooking, Chase started helping Belinda with the dishes, getting ready to dig in.
Byran, starving like a wolf, went into the room to drag Ida out to eat.
Belinda, hands freshly washed, came out of the kitchen to see Ida and Byran sitting side by side, with Chase sitting across from them and an empty seat beside him.
Chase was looking at her, grinning like a Cheshire cat, as if he were waiting for her to take the empty seat.
The only other seat was at the head of the table.
She wasnât keen on sitting next to Chase, but a guest couldnât just take the hostâs seat, right?
So, she ditched the idea of sitting there, didnât move a muscle, and asked, âWhereâs Ellinor?â
Ida responded. âShe said she wasnât hungry and would eat later.â
Belinda frowned. âNo can do. The food will get cold. Iâll fetch her.â
With that, she pivoted and headed to Ellinorâs room.
Rapping on the door, Belinda walked in to find Ellinor in bed, engrossed in a thick book.
âAuntie⦠I mean, Ellinor, itâs time to eat! You can read after weâre done, letâs eat first Ellinor glanced at her. Iâm not hungry yet; you guys go ahead.â
Belinda said sternly. âThatâs not on! Youâre pregnant now, so you need to eat properly! Think about the baby, if not yourself!â
But Ellinor wasnât phased. âI know whatâs best for my baby. Skipping one meal wonât do any harm. I just need some alone time, so can you please leave?â
For some reason, Belinda was getting spooked by Ellinor, so she stopped nagging. âAlright! Iâll just set aside some food for you so you can eat it whenever.â Ellinor wasnât keen on eating, but she knew Belinda wouldnât take no for an answer. So, she let her have her way.
As Belinda was leaving, a gust of cold wind made her shiver. She noticed that Ellinorâs window was slightly ajar.
It was already dark outside, and the temperature had dropped. It was the perfect recipe for catching a cold. Pregnant women couldnât just pop pills. If she caught a cold, it would be a whole new headache.
With that thought, Belinda decided to shut the window before leaving.
While closing the window, she inadvertently glanced downstairs and saw a familiar car and a familiar silhouette.
âItâs my uncle! My uncleâs downstairs!â Belinda recognized the man downstairs and blurted out excitedly.
Ellinor, still engrossed in her book, barely twitched an eyebrow and didnât even lift her head.
After noticing Ellinorâs indifference, Belinda rushed over and grabbed her hand. âAuntie! No, I mean, Ellinor. Look! My uncle really is downstairs!â Ellinor nonchalantly pulled her hand back, raising an eyebrow. âHeâs probably here to pick you up. Itâs getting late; you should go home with your uncle.â
Belinda frowned and said, âNo way! My uncle wouldnât be here for me. If he wanted to pick me up, heâd call me first. But heâs just standing there, waiting.â
Initially, Ellinor wanted to ignore her, but Belinda yanked her out of bed, dragging her to the window to take a look.
And she saw him. Theo was leaning against his car, casually puffing on a cigarette with his gaze fixed on the upper floors.
Even though they were several floors up and the manâs features were obscured by the distance, it still felt like his gaze was locked onto her.
This distant stare-off was enough to stir up some restlessness in the otherwise calm Ellinor.