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.”

1/5

111

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.”

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, his tone terse. “What do you want instead,

considered for a moment before 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 aside and reached for the eggs in the refrigerator, his

started whisking them, Stella watched him with a look that bordered on smug satisfaction. “You really should pay more attention to what I like, Timothy. It’s not

of his patience fraying.

sarcasm. “Oh, I’m

the room hung heavy as Timothy finished 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

she savored the food. “Mmm, not bad,” she admitted, her tone less

had

help but wonder if his attempts to please Stella were worth the frustration and anger that seemed to be a constant

for Evie, it seemed. Besides, that

O

It wasn’t the win that Stella thought it was, and he

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, albeit begrudgingly. It was a small victory in her eyes, a way to assert her dominance, which

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

tapping a finger against her lips. “You can make it up

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

carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to start planning it right now. It’s

of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a

it usually the

“Timothy, this is our wedding, and I want everything to be perfect. I need to be in control of the arrangements to ensure that it’s just the way

this

reply was lighthearted, a stark contrast to her earlier anger. “Don’t

of scrambled eggs and avocado

|||

Chapter 166

bite, a sudden vibration from her phone. interrupted

at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer

that?” Timothy asked, his voice tinged with a

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

eyebrow. “Business call?

the room, avoiding Timothy’s penetrating stare. “It’s

his skepticism. “You look pretty