A meal with Theodore.

Bella arrived at the restaurant. The grand double doors whooshed open, revealing the richly hued interior. As she entered, she saw Skyler in a crisp black suit walking over to her.

He gave a curt nod. "Mrs. Reid," he greeted, gesturing for her to follow. "Sir is waiting for you. Please... in this way."

"Can you stop calling me Mrs. Reid?" Bella urged. "Just Bella is fine."

Skyler's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Most of the women in upper-class society coveted the title of Theodore's wife. It was a badge of honor for them. This woman, it seemed, hadn't grasped its weight.

'Maybe she is not aware that Mr. Reid is one of the top ten richest men in the nation,' he mused.

"May I ask why the hesitation to be addressed as Mrs. Reid?" he ventured, curiosity gnawing at him. "It seems you don't quite understand what it entails."

"Contract wife," she corrected him, a pointed edge to her voice, "not a real one."

"You are legally married to him," he reminded her. "The marriage registration wasn't fake."

"Yes, true… But it's only for a year," she countered. "After that, we will part ways. Maybe he finds someone he actually fancies. But me? Finding someone to marry after being Theodore Reid's ex-wife will not be easy. This truth should remain a secret. You know what I mean."

She hopefully looked at him, expecting him to understand her point.

Skyler was taken aback. He couldn't dismiss her trepidation. Indeed, once the news spread, people wouldn't stop spreading various kinds of rumors. Those rumors may not affect Theodore, but Bella may suffer.

For the first time, he felt pity for her.

"What compelled you to agree to this arrangement in the first place?" Skyler asked skeptically.

He had checked her background but found nothing unusual. He didn't understand why she consented to marry Theodore. Was she solely interested in the money Theodore offered her for their arrangement? Although Bella didn't appear materialistic, he couldn't help but consider the possibilities.

A tight smile played on Bella's lips. "Life has a way of throwing you situations where we don't have a choice," she replied cryptically, the bitterness evident. With that, she disappeared into the seclusion of a private booth.

Skyler stood there, reflecting on her words.

The opulent warmth of the surroundings couldn't dispel the icy chill that washed over Bella as she stepped inside. Theodore, his gaze sharp as a honed blade, seemed to dissect her very soul. His presence dominated the room, exuding a cold, unapproachable aura.

"Hi," she forced a smile, the growing nervousness a knot in her stomach.

"Sit." One word escaped his mouth: cold and unwelcoming.

Bella took the seat opposite him, her initial plan to ask him if he was going to invest in the project dissolving in the face of his glacial demeanor. She didn't know how to start a conversation.

"Today, you did a good job," he started. The sudden warmth in his tone surprised her.

"Thanks," she said, smiling a little.

"If you are facing any issues at your workplace, tell me. I'm here to help you," he offered, a hint of something unreadable in his tone.

"Why would you bother with my matters?" She was bewildered.

Theodore's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're my wife, even if it's just a contract. Your issues are my concern. I don't want anyone mistreating you."

Bella blinked, taken aback by his unexpected concern. "Thank you," she said softly. "I appreciate it. But I'm fine. You've already done so much. I can't take more help from you. I can handle my issues on my own."

She owed him a lot and was reluctant to burden him further.

Theodore's lips thinned at Bella's response. Just a few days ago, she had begged for his help, and now she brushed him off. A bitter thought pricked him.

'Why would she need me now? Zack is clearly got her back.'

The memory of Zack's praise for Bella sent a jolt of unfamiliar discomfort through him, a feeling he couldn't quite define.

"Of course, you can handle your problems," he snapped, his tone clipped. "Do so. Don't waste my time."

The icy retort sparked a flicker of annoyance in Bella. "I won't bother you; I assure you," she said curtly.

Theodore's insides burned, his fists clenching under the table. He intended to speak with her and learn about the troubles she was having at the workplace, but things did not go as planned. 

Bella, equally uninterested in conversation, retreated into a stony silence.

The meal arrived, a silent sentinel between them. They ate in a tense quietude, punctuated only by the clink of cutlery.

The jarring blare of her phone shattered the stillness. Joe's name flashed on the screen.

Theodore's brow furrowed as he saw the name. 'Is he her boyfriend?' The thought surfaced, unwelcome and sharp.

Bella hesitated, her gaze flickering to Theodore. Sensing the sudden shift in his demeanor, she silenced the call.

His gaze, now sharp with suspicion, pinned her. "Why did you ignore the call?"

"I'll talk to him later," she replied dismissively.

"Who is he?" he asked casually, but a storm was manifesting inside him.

"A friend…"

"Just a friend?" His doubt was clear, a dark cloud on his face.

Defiance stiffened Bella's spine. "Joe is happily married to my best friend, okay? I am not violating the norms in the contract."

Theodore's expression softened, but only slightly. He took a moment to process her words, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. "Alright," he said finally, his tone less accusatory but still guarded. "I just don't want any complications."

"Neither do I," Bella responded curtly. "Let's finish our meal."

They resumed eating, the air still thick with unresolved tension.

Theodore couldn't ignore the pang of regret he felt. He had suspected her without knowing the truth. In reality, he knew nothing about her. It was unfair to judge her. Shamefaced, he knew he owed an apology to her. Yet, pride wouldn't allow him to utter the word.

Instead, in a display of his pride, he reached into his wallet and produced a credit card. "Here," he said, pushing it towards her. "Take this. The card has one million limits. Go shopping and buy some nice dresses. We're seeing my grandpa next weekend."

Bella's eyes widened as she examined the card, the words "one million limit" echoing in her ears.

"I don't need it," she protested, pushing the card back. Theodore had already given her enough money. She couldn't justify taking more.

"Keep it," he insisted, shoving the card back at her. "As long as you're my wife, it's yours. You need to look your best. I don't want people to think that I'm not treating you well."

Bella, although unwilling, accepted the card. "Okay, if you insist." Stuffing the card in her purse, she stood up. "I'll leave now. And thanks for the meal." She smiled.

Theodore's expression locked, a sudden surge hammering against his ribs. His hand flew instinctively to his chest. What was this buoyant sensation, unlike anything he had ever felt before?

He speechlessly stared at her. When she turned and walked out, he felt at a loss. The restaurant, once vibrant, seemed sterile and devoid of color. The sweet feeling, fleeting as it was, left behind a yearning ache.

There was something about Bella that stirred emotions he wasn't used to feeling—an odd mix of regret, curiosity, and a strange, new longing. Theodore couldn't help but wonder what made him feel this way. He had to figure it out, to spend more time with her and understand her better.

A new resolve settled over him. Theodore realized he needed to get rid of Isabella's memories. "I have to meet her," he muttered. "Time to return the pendant."