Separate Weddings, Separate Lives novel Chapter 33

"Mr. Holten, I'm curious. How did we become friends on Facebook?"

Louisa had to admit that although she was the one who had mistakenly sent the message to him, she wouldn't have done it if he weren't on her friend list.

Elijah kept his eyes on the road. The harsh sunlight hit his face, creating a sharp contrast of light and shadow that seemed to illustrate the two sides of his personality.

His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel. "You're asking me? I was about to ask you the same thing."

Louisa paused. He didn't know either?

"I have no idea. I definitely didn't add you," she said firmly.

They had moved in completely different circles. Their only past interactions were moments when Elijah had been uncharacteristically helpful, and even then, he usually just gave a curt nod and walked away after she thanked him. She didn't even have his phone number, so why would she add him on Facebook?

Besides, she rarely used Facebook these days. Her contact list was a ghost town of people she had added a decade ago. She didn't even know he existed at the time.

"Am I the only one on your close friend list?" Elijah asked suddenly.

"No, of course not."

Elijah glanced at her, his dark eyes studying her face. "Then why did you send me that message?"

Louisa's breath caught. She wondered how he would react if she told him it was a complete accident.

But she quickly shrugged it off. Elijah was already unpredictable enough. Since they were already married, there was no point in overcomplicating things now.

"You were the first name on my friend list," she admitted. That was the honest reason for the mistake, at least.

"Am I pinned to the top?" he asked with full confidence.

Louisa thought of his username. "No. Just the first one. I don't know why."

He made it sound like he was some desperate bachelor who had been single for decades.

Louisa knew better. He never lacked for women. The fact that he had married her over a stray text meant there was a deeper reason. She just hadn't figured out why yet.

"Mr. Holten, I know this whole situation has been a massive inconvenience for you. I'll say it again—you can end this whenever you want. I'll cooperate completely, no strings attached," she said, her voice steady.

Elijah took a smooth turn into a high-end shopping center. As the car came to a stop, he looked over at her. "Since I'm the one who gets to decide when it ends, you can stop worrying about it."

He reached toward her side of the car. Louisa instinctively recoiled, pressing her back against the seat, her eyes wide with caution.

"Why are you so wary of me?" Elijah opened the glove compartment, pulled out a small box, and handed it to her.

As soon as she took it, he hopped out of the car and headed toward the luxury shops.

Louisa waited until he entered the building before she opened the box. When she saw what was inside, her fingers tightened.