The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 133

Sure enough, he saw it.

Before Ellinor Mendoza could explain, the man approached her and said sternly, "Didn't I tell you not to drink anything strangers give you when you're out? Are you just ignoring what I say?"

Since he was much taller than her, Ellinor had to tilt her head back to look at him, which was uncomfortable. "No, I remember what you said."

The man held her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "So you're deliberately going against my words, is that it?"

Ellinor explained uncomfortably, "It's not what you think."

The man's face remained calm, but there was some displeasure in his eyes. "As my wife, you're drinking toasts with another man. What should I think?"

Ellinor knew she was wrong, but she was helpless. So she explained, "Because he has something I want."

The man's grip loosened a bit, "What's that?"

Although she didn't want to tell him too much, she had no choice but to explain now. Ellinor had to tell the truth: "Mr. Rex has three paintings in his gallery that I want, but he won't sell them to me. He said if I drink a toast with him, he would give me the paintings."

Theo thought for a moment and let go of her, "You can just tell me if you want something. You don't have to drink under someone else's threat."

Ellinor lowered her head and said, "We're not really married. I didn't want to bother you or owe you anything."

Theo looked at her coldly, "This doesn't count as owing. I've said that I can give you anything but love, as long as you play the part of my wife for these three months."

Ellinor looked at him and said frankly, "The fundamental nature of relationships between people is rooted in mutual indebtedness. Whether it's emotional or financial, owing and repaying create a complex dynamic. If I owe someone or they owe me, it becomes challenging to part ways easily. Therefore, I try my best to avoid such situations."