Forbidden Passion
Chapter 458 Totem Rings

The pedestrian street was packed with tourists. Occasionally, they'd bump into employees from other companies.

Phoebe quietly slipped her hand out of Theodore's and stuffed it into her jacket pocket, not wanting anyone to see how close they were. Theodore felt the emptiness and glanced at her.

Phoebe, with her hat and scarf covering most of her face, nodded forward. "Let's go buy some beef jerky."

Theodore looked away and followed her into a nearby shop. They picked out some dried beef, paid, and kept walking.

The street wasn't long, about three hundred feet end to end. Their footsteps crunched on the packed snow.

Ahead was a silver jewelry store. Theodore suddenly grabbed her arm and walked in. The owner greeted them warmly, "What can I get for you two? Our silver jewelry is unique and handmade." Phoebe lowered her eyes, looking at the silver jewelry in the display case. Despite the lack of special lighting, the pieces had a nice luster, especially the rare totems.

"We're just looking," Phoebe said casually.

The owner was enthusiastic. "Rings or necklaces? I can recommend something."

Phoebe wasn't interested in rings; she liked a simple, elegant necklace. Just as she was about to ask the owner to take it out, Theodore spoke, "Please take out those two rings."

Phoebe followed his fingers to two plain rings in a brocade box. Though plain, the rings had intricate totems around the band, making them special.

The owner took them out and placed them in front of Theodore. "Sir, you have a good eye. The totems symbolize eternal love."

Phoebe leaned in. The totems were intricate, with a recessed dot in the middle. She wouldn't have noticed without the owner's help.

Theodore picked up the women's ring and examined it. He looked at Phoebe. "Give me your hand."

Phoebe's heart raced, and she stared at him, thinking, 'Is he buying me a ring, or just making me try it on for Vanessa? I don't want to be a doormat.' Phoebe hid her hand behind her back. "I don't want it."

Theodore's face darkened, and he frowned. "Hurry up."

Phoebe stubbornly looked at him. "I said I don't want it."

Theodore's patience ran out. He reached for her hand but missed. He tried again and finally grabbed it.

He took off her glove and tried to push the ring onto her finger. It only went halfway because her finger was swollen.

Phoebe sighed in relief and quickly hid her swollen hand behind her back, looking smugly at Theodore. "I can't try it on. Don't think you can make me a doormat."

Theodore's jaw clenched in frustration as he stared at her for a few seconds. Fortunately, he remembered her ring size from a previous purchase. Turning to the owner, he confidently stated, "I'll take this pair. Where can I pay?" The owner quickly led Theodore to the counter.

After paying, he asked the owner to take out the silver necklace Phoebe had been eyeing. He threaded the women's ring onto the necklace and put it around Phoebe's neck.

Phoebe was stunned.

After fastening the necklace, Theodore tucked it into her clothes. "Take good care of it. Don't lose it," he said.

Phoebe blinked, confused, and looked at Theodore.

He picked up the men's ring and was about to put it on his finger. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. He grabbed Phoebe's hand roughly, placed the ring in her palm, and said gruffly, "Put it on me." Phoebe looked down at the ring in her palm, her heart pounding.

'What does he mean by this?' she wondered.

Theodore extended his hand, impatiently urging, "Hurry up!"

Phoebe was slow to react. Why did Theodore want her to help him put on the ring, and why did he put the women's ring around her neck?

'Who keeps a ring like this?' she thought.

Theodore called again, "Phoebe?"

Phoebe snapped back to reality. She saw Theodore holding her fingers. She slipped the ring onto his finger, and he finally let go of her hand, satisfied.

Theodore paid for the necklace and pulled Phoebe out of the store. Phoebe hurriedly followed.

She looked up at Theodore, her gaze falling on his ring finger. The simple band exuded a gentle gleam, shining in the night.

Given her past experiences, Phoebe didn't dare to overthink and assume that Theodore bought the rings for them to wear as a couple. Since he had asked her to keep it, she simply needed to take good care of it. As the ring hung around her neck, right above her heart, it had already absorbed her body heat, adding a sense of warmth to the gesture.

'When Theodore asks me to take it off and return it, I would definitely be reluctant, wouldn't I?' she thought.

Theodore noticed Phoebe's silence and asked, "Phoebe, what are you thinking about?"

Phoebe snapped back to reality and quickly shook her head. "Nothing."

"Then let's go to the church. I heard it's just ahead." Theodore seemed to have forgotten that he was still holding her hand and had no intention of letting go. Phoebe asked, "It's getting late."

"What are you afraid of?" Theodore glanced at her. "Come on, I'll protect you."

They walked further away, not noticing that shortly after they left the jewelry store, a tall and handsome figure walked in.

"Excuse me, what did the couple who just left buy?" the man asked.

The owner looked up and saw a dashing young man. 'Why are all the customers today so handsome?' he thought.

"They bought a pair of rings. Handsome, if you have a girlfriend, you can buy a pair too. Our rings are unique; you won't find another pair like them," the owner replied. Edward squinted. 'Theodore actually bought Phoebe a ring?' he thought.

The owner saw Edward's silence and assumed he didn't have a girlfriend. "You're so handsome, and you don't have a girlfriend? Dude, we're in the same boat." "What kind of rings did they buy? Give me an identical pair," Edward said.

The owner said, "Didn't I just say? Our rings are unique; there's no second pair."

Edward took a wad of cash from his wallet and placed it in front of the owner. "Make me an identical pair. I'll pick them up tomorrow," he said firmly.

The owner was momentarily stunned. He took the cash and said, "Alright, I'll work overnight to make sure you have them."