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.”

a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung.

with a haughty

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

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

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

with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure you’re

finished cooking the eggs and plated them with a side of sliced avocado. He

savored

glad that his efforts had paid

but wonder if his attempts to please Stella were worth the frustration

happy Stella meant less trouble for Evie, it seemed.

O

to stay away from Stella, not Timothy. It wasn’t the win that Stella thought it was, and he was perfectly

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

was palpable as Timothy 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

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

shower? It wasn’t what he had expected, but if that’s what it would take, he was willing

response was swift, and her words carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to

jotting down plans, Timothy couldn’t help but feel a mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to

it usually the

everything to be perfect. I need to

this wouldn’t get

stark contrast to her earlier anger. “Don’t worry. It’ll be perfect, I

breakfast of scrambled eggs and avocado and

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Chapter 166

it overall. As she took the last bite,

in puzzlement at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer and

that?” Timothy asked, his voice tinged with

absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just a business

eyebrow. “Business

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

hide his skepticism. “You look pretty nervous about