Chapter 204:

Theo realized, after much reflection, that his feelings for Elyse ran deeper than he'd initially believed. He couldn't understand why. What was it about Elyse, a woman from an ordinary family with ordinary abilities, that so captivated him? When had he fallen for her? He'd once asked Mabel about being in love, and her assessment suggested he didn't truly love Elyse. But if that were true, why was he so devastated each night at the mere thought of her marrying Jayden? He found himself unable to reconcile his conflicting emotions: preoccupied with making money, yet confused about his feelings.

His potential marriage to Freda initially seemed, as Zandra had suggested, a lucrative arrangement. However, he soon questioned this perspective. Was marriage merely a transaction? Should he be discussing interests and resources with the woman he would spend his life with? Shouldn't his wife be the love of his life? For the first time, Theo pondered something other than finances: love, which he'd previously dismissed as useless and trivial.

At the restaurant, Theo allowed the waiter to lead them, Freda admiring the stylish decor. Instead of taking the menu himself, he gestured for the waiter to give it to Freda. Resting her chin on her hands, she smiled and declined. "Isn't this the perfect time for you to learn my preferences? Why not take this chance?"

Theo watched her for a moment before taking the menu. He flipped through it and asked, "Are there any foods you particularly dislike?" After Freda listed a few, he selected several dishes. Freda nodded approvingly. "Well chosen. I really like what you've ordered."

Theo smiled, ordered desserts and red wine, and then handed the menu back to the waiter. Freda looked at him and asked, "Aren't you going to share your preferences with me?"

He responded dismissively, "I'm not particular about food. There's nothing special for you to remember." Freda played with her short hair and asked, "If you don't want to engage much with me, should I bring up the girl we just met?"

Theo was startled by her mention of Elyse. "She's just a friend," he replied. "Don't read too much into it." "Really?" Freda pressed. "But if she's just a friend, why were your eyes and attention always drawn to her?"

Freda seemed to see through him. "Theo, you're not good at pretending. Is it so hard to admit you like her?" She sighed. "I understand we're marrying for business reasons. It's normal for you to have feelings for someone else; after all, everyone has a past."

Theo sighed deeply. He knew Freda was perceptive, but he hadn't expected this. "I think you're misunderstanding. Yes, she is my ex-girlfriend, but our relationship wasn't as serious as you think."

Seeing his reluctance, Freda retorted, "If you didn't deeply love her, why did you look so devastated when she left?" Theo protested, "You're misinterpreting what you saw."

"Theo, I studied psychology in college. Sometimes people deny the truth, but their body language speaks volumes." She gestured towards his hand. "You recoiled from my touch but reached out to that girl naturally."

Theo fell silent. In truth, he was unclear about his own heart and his feelings for Elyse. Freda waved her hand dismissively. "But don't worry. I'm not bothered by who you fancy. I understand my role here. Let's move on."

Theo observed Freda's nonchalant demeanor and realized he was the one feeling uneasy. He asked, "Can you really accept a marriage like this? One without any emotional connection, based solely on mutual benefits?"

Freda chuckled, finding his concern endearing. "Yes. A man might betray me, but money won't. I'd rather be committed to wealth than be a slave to love. I'm not going to sacrifice myself for any man."

Theo remained silent, reflecting on his own changing perspectives.

(The website address was removed as it's irrelevant to the text itself.)