The Hockey Star’s Remorse

TIMOTHY POV

Timothy had never been much of a chef. He could whip up something decent, much like he had when he’d cooked for Evie, but that was a loving gesture fueled by his own need to impress her. He had to impress Evie in other ways now, which included getting on Stella’s good side and getting her to sign those authorization

papers.

With a newfound determination, Timothy stood in Stella’s apartment, a mismatched apron hanging awkwardly from his tall frame, and a mixing bowl in one hand. He had brought the ingredients for pancakes, imagining that a homemade breakfast would impress her. Pancakes seemed like a safe choice simple, delicious, and universally beloved.

–

Stella watched him with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, her arms folded across her chest. He had let himself in, attempting to surprise her, but he hadn’t known she was an early riser. “What are you doing?” she asked.

Timothy tried to keep his enthusiasm from waning as he held up the mixing bowl. “I’m making you breakfast,” he declared with a smile.

Stella raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a faint smirk. “Really? You’re cooking for me?”

He nodded. “Yep. Thought I’d surprise you.”

Stella’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she sauntered over, her gaze fixed on the contents of the bowl. “Well, I’m intrigued. What’s on the menu?”

“Pancakes,” Timothy replied hesitantly, watching her response closesly.

Her expression quickly shifted from joy to annoyance as she saw Timothy

preparing the pancake batter. She put her hands on her hips, her annoyance clear. “Pancakes? Seriously?”

Timothy blinked, his heart sinking at the abrupt change in her demeanor. “Uh, yeah. Is that a problem?”

Stella sighed, her irritation becoming more pronounced. “I don’t eat carbs, Timothy. I’ve told you that before.”

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Chapter 166

He felt his frustration bubbling beneath the surface but forced a tight smile. He didn’t recall hearing that at all. “Right. But I thought maybe just this once…”

She interrupted him with a sharp gesture. “No, Timothy. I don’t make exceptions when it comes to my diet.”

gone out of his way to make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung. “Okay, fine,” he

replying with a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with some avocado toast

suppressed a sigh of frustration. “Alright, eggs and toast it is.” He set the mixing bowl

look that bordered on smug satisfaction. “You really should pay more attention to

teeth, the edge of his patience fraying. “I’m trying, Stella. But I

her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure you’re trying

a side of sliced avocado. He placed the

took a bite, her expression softening slightly as she savored the food. “Mmm, not bad,” she admitted, her

efforts had paid off, albeit grudgingly. “I’m

to please Stella were worth the frustration and anger that seemed to be a constant undercurrent in their, interactions. He

for Evie, it

O

not Timothy. It wasn’t the win that Stella thought

her preferences, and he complied for now, albeit begrudgingly. It was a small victory in her eyes, a way to assert

tried to find the right words. He hated the idea of starting the day with an argument, especially after his attempt to make things right. “Look, Stella, I’ve been pretty short with you lately, and I want

against her lips. “You can make it up to me by letting me throw a wedding

her request. A wedding shower? It wasn’t what he had expected,

words carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to start planning it

started jotting down plans, Timothy couldn’t help but feel a mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding shower, and he would stick to his word.

the

need

with Stella about this wouldn’t get him anywhere. “Alright, Stella. It’s your

her earlier anger. “Don’t worry. It’ll

of scrambled eggs and avocado and

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Chapter 166

it overall. As she took the last bite, a sudden vibration from her

at her phone, her brow furrowing in puzzlement at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer and shot a nervous glance in Timothy’s direction. He met her gaze

that?” Timothy asked, his voice tinged with

absently tapping the edge of her

raised an eyebrow. “Business call?

darted around the room, avoiding Timothy’s penetrating

couldn’t hide his skepticism. “You look pretty