Chapter 86

Wilbur was busy carrying out Theodore's instructions, while Boden took charge of recording everything that unfolded.

For several minutes straight, the clicking of Boden's camera didn't stop.

He wanted to get closer, to capture Theodore's and Marissa's expressions upclose, but he held himself back, keeping a safe distance so as not to disturb the atmosphere between them.

Marissa had a handbag, carefully chosen by Lottie to match her outfit, dangling from her arm. Theodore took it from her and set it neatly on the couch beside them.

She found herself staring at him blankly as he crouched down in front of her again.

Her gaze dropped to the high heels he had helped her remove earlier, now resting neatly by the sofa.

Something felt strange. The situation wasn't quite aligning with what she had expected.

Was Theodore always this considerate?

That didn't fit the information she'd received.

According to Benny's reports, Theodore was emotionally oblivious and showed little interest in women.

But the man in front of her didn't seem that way at all. He was confident, composed, and strangely attentive.

Was she just blinded by his looks, letting them tint her judgment?

No, that couldn't be it. Absolutely not.

She took a steady breath. Truth be told, shehad a weakness for men like him. She'd grown up believing she deserved the best and never saw the point in settling for less. During her years attending to Bryson, they hadn't shared a kiss, let alone anything more intimate.

She wasn't someone who tolerated unhappiness for the sake of appearances. There had been no spark between her and Bryson, and honestly, he probably felt the same.

Brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear,Marissa's thoughts drifted to Bryson and Evelina. Her expression hardened slightly as she pulled out her phone.

Maybe it was time to call the police.

If Bryson wanted to cozy up with Evelina, so be it.

A strong woman moved forward, not backward.

And Marissa had already decided that Theodore would be her new beginning.

The thought made her lips twitch slightly. Almost without realizing it, she shifted her leg closer until her knee brushed against his hand. She wasn't imagining it. Theodore seemed drawn to her too.

And if that was true, then maybe she should...

Her train of thought faltered. She blinked, opened her phone, and scrolled through her chat with Benny.

Rumor-spreading was against the law, wasn't it?

She thought about the comments flooding the trending news and hoped the incident would escalate -enough to justify calling the police.

Marissa set her phone aside.

Fine.She'd wait it out. Once the rumors reached their peak, she'd report them all and have those trolls dragged to the police station.

She wasn't used to wearing dresses, much less the kind of soft, flowing gown she had on now, slit high enough to make her feel oddly self-aware. In her mind, she was still dressed in her usual comfortable clothes, not this figure-hugging outfit. So when she casually shifted her leg toward Theodore's hand, the movement caused her legs to part slightly, the smooth skin of her thigh catching the light in a way that drew attention without trying.

Theodore didn't stand up right away. His gaze flicked down, his brow barely moving, but something sharp flashed in his eyes. Without saying a word, his hand reached out and wrapped around her slender ankle,guiding her legs back together with a subtle,restrained motion.

Marissa had been lost in thought, completely forgetting her earlier actions. Her calm gaze lifted to meet his face, curious at his silence.

Their eyes met halfway, his deep and unreadable,hers questioning.

She tilted her head slightly, a playful curve forming on her lips. "It hurts a little," she murmured."Did the heels cut into my skin?"

Leaning back, she rested her chin on her hand. Theodore's eyes trailed from her face down to her ankle. He examined the spot carefully before replying, his voice even, "No."

"That's a relief." She followed his gaze down to where his hand still lingered.

He adjusted his posture, resting her foot gently on his knee. His tone softened, his demeanor easy and calm. "It's just a little red. I'll put some ointment on it later."

Marissa's heart skipped.

He was effortlessly charming.

"Thank you," she said softly, her head lowered slightly.

A strand of hair slipped loose, brushing against her cheek,catching the faintest breeze.

The small movement somehow made her look more delicate, almost heartbreakingly so.

Theodore's fingers twitched at his side. He wanted to reach out and pat her head, but remembering that his hand had just brushed against her ankle, he held himself back.

Meanwhile, Wilbur, who had just arrived with the shoes and ointment, seemed to understand the atmosphere perfectly. Instead of interrupting, he stayed at a distance.

After a brief pause, Theodore spoke quietly. "No need to thank me."

Then he gestured for Wilbur to come closer.

Wilbur quickly stepped forward, setting down the ointment, cotton swabs, and a box with flat shoes beside Theodore.

Without saying a word, he left as discreetly as he'd come.

Twisting open the ointment tube, Theodore squeezed a small amount onto a cotton swab. As he dabbed it gently over the reddened skin, he murmured, "It might sting for a second." Marissa's breath hitched slight'y. She couldn't look away from the man kneeling before her. Their eyes met again, and all she could do was nod quietly.

When he finished applying the ointment, Theodore picked up the shoes and placed them neatly in front of her feet. He didn't try to put them on for her and simply set them there, giving her the choice.