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.”

make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive

considered for a moment before replying with a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with some

eggs and toast it is.” He set the mixing bowl aside and reached for the eggs in the refrigerator,

whisking them, Stella watched him with a look that bordered on smug satisfaction. “You really should pay more

edge of his patience fraying. “I’m trying, Stella. But I can’t read your

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

them with a side of sliced avocado. He placed the

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

had paid off, albeit grudgingly. “I’m glad you like

if his attempts to please Stella were worth the frustration and

meant less trouble for Evie, it seemed. Besides,

O

wasn’t the win that Stella thought it was, and he was perfectly fine with

the other hand, seemed to relish in the power dynamic he was presenting. She had made it clear that Timothy had to cater to her preferences, and he complied for now,

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,

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

raised an eyebrow, surprised by her request. A wedding shower? It wasn’t what he had expected, but if that’s what

of determination. “Good. I’m going to start planning it

of relief and resignation. He

he began cautiously, “isn’t it usually the maid of

want everything to be perfect. I need to be in control of

that arguing with Stella about this wouldn’t get him

contrast to her earlier anger. “Don’t worry.

scrambled eggs and

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Chapter 166

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

silenced the ringer and shot a nervous glance in Timothy’s direction.

Timothy asked, his voice tinged

hesitated for a moment, her fingers absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just a business call,” she finally replied,

an eyebrow. “Business

room, avoiding Timothy’s penetrating stare. “It’s nothing, really. Just a

“You look pretty