Theodore quickly brought the sales associate over. Seeing the bank card in her hand, he frowned. “Made your choice?”

Phoebe glanced at the rings, trying to stay calm. She thought, ‘Just because he’s picking a ring doesn’t mean it’s for me. Maybe it’s for Vanessa, and he wants my opinion.’ With that, she felt more at ease. “Yeah, I’ve decided.

“Alright, try these on.” Theodore sat next to her, grabbed a ring, and pulled her hand over to put it on her finger.

Phoebe instinctively tried to pull back. “What are you doing?”

Theodore raised an eyebrow. “Just try it on. It’s not a big deal. Open your fingers.”

Phoebe held her ring finger with her other hand. “I’m not trying it on. Bring whoever you’re buying it for. I’m not your doormat.”

She felt a pang of disappointment. So, he just wanted her to try it on, not buy it for her.

They didn’t even have wedding rings. Why would he buy her a diamond ring? What was she thinking?

Theodore leaned in and whispered, “Phoebe, everyone’s watching. If you embarrass me, you’ll regret it.”

Her fingers trembled, but she eventually relaxed and straightened them.

Satisfied, Theodore slipped the ring on her finger. The teardrop-shaped crown looked stunning on her slender fingers.

The sales associate chimed in, “This ring is one of our signature pieces, called Crowning Love. It highlights the beauty of the fingers.”

Phoebe was momentarily dazzled by the diamond. Even though she didn’t want to try it on, no woman could resist diamonds.

The term Crowning Love felt ironic, given her situation with Theodore. She wanted to take off the ring, but he held her fingertips. Theodore examined the ring. “Is the band too big? Try another style.”

Phoebe pressed her lips together.

The ring fit perfectly and looked stunning, but since Theodore wanted to try another, the sales associate didn’t hesitate to comply. After all, Theodore’s watch was clearly expensive, so he could afford it.

Phoebe took off the ring and tried another with a sapphire, which also looked good on her. The sales associate said, “Madam has beautiful fingers. Everything looks good on her.” After a few seconds, Theodore seemed dissatisfied and asked her to try the ruby one.

Phoebe resisted the urge to throw the ring at him, took off the current one, and put on the ruby. It looked luxurious and beautiful on her finger.

The sales associate smiled. “Madam, it really suits our rings. Every style looks elegant on her.”

Theodore said, “The diamond one still looks the best. What do you think?”

Phoebe, now an emotionless ring model, numbly replied, “They all look good. If it’s for Miss Fitzroy, she’d probably prefer the diamond.”

Theodore squinted. “Then the diamond it is. Wrap it up.”

The sales associate finally realized Theodore wasn’t buying the ring for Phoebe, but he had asked for her ring size. Being professional, she didn’t ask questions and happily processed the payment. Phoebe took off the ring and put it back, her eyes stinging from its brilliance. She watched Theodore swipe his card.

After paying, the sales associate brought a new ring for Theodore to confirm. Once he did, she boxed it up, and he slipped it into his coat pocket.

Phoebe had noticed the price tag earlier. The ring cost three million dollars, more than the bag he bought before. He had spent five million in one night without hesitation. Rich and willful! Theodore walked over. “Let’s go. Didn’t you want a fruit basket? There’s a fruit supermarket downstairs. Let’s check it out.”

Phoebe was speechless.

They took the elevator to the supermarket, which had a large fruit section. Cherries were over twenty dollars per pound. Phoebe liked cherries and glanced at them several times. Theodore noticed and asked the clerk to pack a box.

Phoebe refused. “No need to buy so many. My mom can’t finish them, and they’ll go to waste.”

Theodore glanced at her. “Don’t you like them?”

“I don’t,” Phoebe denied.

Theodore tapped her nose. “If you don’t like them, why were you staring? I thought you liked them. Well, then, we won’t buy them.”

“Just get a pound. They’re too expensive.” Phoebe asked the clerk to weigh a pound, took the bag, and walked ahead.

Who knew if the fruits were really imported, but the prices were high. They didn’t buy much, but the bill was a hundred dollars.

Phoebe felt a pang of heartache. “I’ll finish all the cherries tonight. I don’t want them to go bad.”

Theodore tried to wrap an arm around her waist, but Phoebe quickly dodged. His hand froze mid-air, then he retracted it.

They went to the underground parking lot. Phoebe put everything in the back seat and got into the passenger seat.

Theodore got into the driver’s seat. As she turned to fasten her seatbelt, he suddenly leaned over, pinning her against the seatback, his hot breath enveloping her. Phoebe was caught off guard, her heart skipping a beat as he kissed her deeply.

She clenched her fist and pressed it against his chest, trying to push him away.

Theodore braced one hand on the seatback and grabbed the hem of her turtleneck with the other, his cool fingers brushing her skin.

Phoebe shivered, feeling his lips grow more passionate. She resigned herself and closed her eyes.

After a long while, Theodore seemed satisfied. Just as they were about to part, he gently bit her lip.

Phoebe was speechless, feeling completely numb.

Theodore looked at her flushed cheeks and red earlobes. He smiled, leaned back into his seat, and slowly fastened his seatbelt. “Sorry.” Theodore chuckled. “Did I hurt you with that bite?”

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