Chapter 137: The charity gala (Part – 2)
Bella quickly looked away, struggling to keep her composure. The thrill of seeing Theodore surrounded by people who had no idea about their secret marriage sent a wave of warmth through her. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the smile that threatened to spread across her face, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t resist the urge to glance back at him. When she did, she found him still watching her, his eyes filled with a teasing affection that made her heart skip a beat.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips, and she quickly lowered her head, staring intently at the wine glass in her hand as if it could anchor her thoughts.
’I won’t look at him, no, no,’ she murmured to herself. Yet, no matter how much she told herself not to, her gaze flickered back to him, betraying her inner turmoil.
Theodore’s gaze never left her, capturing every subtle movement she made. He wished he could cross the room, sweep her into his arms, and kiss her, making their love known to everyone.
However, he held back, respecting Bella’s request to keep their relationship a secret for now. She didn’t want to be judged or seen as a gold digger by those who didn’t understand their bond.
Though public opinion meant nothing to him, Bella’s feelings were everything. He knew he had to honor her wishes. However, he wanted to do something to let her know that he was always by her side.
He casually lifted his glass to her and offered a barely perceptible wink that made her cheeks flush with a mixture of delight and embarrassment.
Bella’s cheeks flushed with a blend of delight and embarrassment. The simple, discreet act spoke volumes, sending her heart racing. Though separated by the sea of people, that small gesture made her feel as though they were the only two in the room.
Willow noticed the exchanged glances and raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling at the edges of her lips. Leaning in closer to Bella, she whispered, just loud enough for Bella to hear, "Are you sure you’re not about to give your secret away with those lovesick looks? Because I’m starting to think this charity gala is turning into your personal romance novel."