Chapter 199: Theodore’s childlike demands
Theodore paced around his bedroom, restless. It had only been a day since Bella had gone to her mother’s house, but the absence of her presence was making him anxious. He missed her terribly and was desperate to have her back. But he couldn’t simply ask her to return so soon—he needed a plan.
As he ran his mind, a naughty thought appeared in his mind. Without wasting another second, he picked up the phone and dialed Bella’s number, the anticipation building as he waited for the call to connect.
After what felt like an eternity, Bella’s groggy voice finally answered, "Hello?" It was as if she was speaking in a sleepy haze.
"Are you still sleeping?" Theodore asked, a frown knitting his brows together. He couldn’t sleep at night without her, but she was sleeping peacefully. He was a bit annoyed.
"Hmm." Bella let out a lazy hum, barely opening her eyes. "Why are you calling me so early in the morning?" she whined.
"Early? It’s already nine o’clock, and I’m running late for work," Theodore said, his voice tinged with a hint of exaggerated desperation. "You’re not here to make breakfast or pick out my clothes. I’m at a loss for what to wear."
"Theodore!" She winced, feeling a headache at his childish tone. "Don’t be like a petulant child. You have a closet full of clothes. Just pick something."
"I can’t find my favorite white shirt and the tie I usually wear with it," Theodore replied with feigned distress.
"En?" Bella opened her eyes frantically, taken aback at his demands. Most of his shirts were white. What was there to choose? "You know where your clothes are. Just choose something else if you can’t find them."
"I don’t know. Come home," Theodore demanded.
Bella stared at the phone, speechless momentarily, as realization dawned on her. The missing shirt and tie were just an excuse; Theodore wanted her to come back home. His childlike demands amused her, and a sweet smile crept onto her lips.
"Theodore," she said gently, almost like pleading with him. "I want to be here with mamma. I’ll come back in a few days, okay?"