Balfour began to admire his brotherâs determination. âGet yourself ready. Once Ellinor has the baby, Iâll arrange for someone to take you abroad.â
âDeal! Thanks, bro.â
After nodding, Byran turned and headed upstairs, displaying an unprecedented level of resolve and gusto.
While watching his retreating figure, Balfour felt that his brother was finally growing up.
Inside the room, Ellinor was trying to put Baber to sleep while occasionally checking her phone. She knew Theo wouldnât arrive soon, but she couldnât resist.
Before she knew it, sheâd dozed off too.
After waking up the next morning, there was still no message on her phone.
So she spent the whole day feeling restless.
It wasnât until the evening that she received a call from Theo overseas.
âEllinor, Iâve just landed. Did you have dinner?â
After hearing Theoâs voice, Ellinor felt a bit relieved.
âI already ate. What about you?â
It sounded like he was walking as he answered. âYeah, I had airplane food.â
Airplane food tasted lousy, even in first class.
Even though sheâd been waiting for his call all day, Ellinor didnât have much to say.
âRemember to eat well. Iâve got to go now. Iâll bring you a gift when I get back.â
His primary reason for the call was to assure her of his safety; he still had other matters to attend to.
Though reluctant, it wasnât the time for a chat.
Hearing that Theo was about to hang up, Ellinor hurriedly said, âWait!â
Theoâs tone rose. âHmm? Whatâs up? Anything else you want to tell me?â
Ellinor cleared her throat. âGo ahead, but donât hang up.â
âDonât hang up?â Theoâs tone carried a subtle hint of amusement. âYouâre worried about me, arenât you?â
âMmmm⦠I just want to make sure everythingâs okay with you. Of course, if thereâs something you donât want me to know, you can hang up. I wonât call again!â
Theo laughed. âDo you think I want to hang up? As long as you donât mind me bugging you, Iâll stay on the line.â
Feigning arrogance, Ellinor replied, âI donât mind. So, are you heading straight to Sophiaâs from the airport?â
Theo had just left the airport. Collin opened the car door for him, and he got in the car that had come to pick him up. âYeah, they live quite far from the airport. Itâll take about three hours.â
âOh, then you can take a nap in the car As Theo checked his newly received emails on his laptop, he said, âNo need. I already slept on the plane.â
Ellinorâs lips twitched into a smile. So she was going to have to find things to talk about for the next three hours, huh? She had no idea what to say.
So she grabbed a music player. âPick a song.â
Theo sounded a bit surprised. âReally? Are you going to sing for me?â
Ellinor laughed awkwardly. âYou misunderstood. Iâm going to play a song for you, not sing for you. My performances arenât free, and theyâre quite pricey, actually.â
Theo raised an eyebrow. âOh? How much for a song? Can I afford it?â
Ellinor chuckled. âIâm not taking offers right now, and even if I did, you wouldnât be able to afford it. If you want to hear me sing, come find me when you get back. Pay me in person, and Iâll start singing.â
Theo laughed as he chided her. âYouâre such a gold-digger!â