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.”

bit his tongue immediately. He had gone out of his way to make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung. “Okay, fine,” he said,

haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with some

mixing bowl aside

with a look that bordered on

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

eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure

cooking the eggs and plated them with a side of sliced avocado. He placed the dish in front of Stella, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. “Here you go, just like you

as she savored the food. “Mmm, not bad,”

glad that his efforts had

remained charged with an unspoken tension. Timothy couldn’t help but wonder if his attempts to please Stella were worth

for Evie, it seemed. Besides, that

O

the win that Stella thought it was, and he was perfectly fine with

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

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 to make

can make it up to

It wasn’t what he had expected, but if that’s what it would take, he was willing to agree. “Sounds

carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to

mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding shower, and he would stick to his word. But one thought

began cautiously, “isn’t it usually the maid of honor who throws

is our wedding, and I want everything to be perfect. I need to be

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

was lighthearted, a stark contrast to her earlier

finished her breakfast of scrambled eggs and avocado

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Chapter 166

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

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

Timothy asked, his voice tinged with a hint of

absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just

raised an eyebrow. “Business call? Is it

penetrating stare. “It’s nothing, really. Just a work–related

hide his skepticism. “You