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.”

to make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung. “Okay, fine,” he said,

with a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled,

mixing bowl aside and reached for the eggs in the

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

his patience fraying.

sarcasm.

and plated them with a side of sliced avocado. He placed the dish

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

that his efforts had paid off, albeit grudgingly.

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

for

O

had forced Evie to stay away from Stella, not Timothy. It wasn’t the win that

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,

with an argument, especially after his attempt to make things right. “Look, Stella, I’ve

lips. “You can make it up to

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

edge of determination. “Good.

help but feel a mixture of relief and resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding shower, and he would stick

it usually the maid of honor who throws the

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

realizing that arguing with Stella about this wouldn’t get him anywhere. “Alright,

lighthearted, a stark contrast to her earlier anger.

her breakfast of scrambled

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Chapter 166

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

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

asked, his voice tinged with a

her fingers absently tapping the edge of her phone. “Just

an eyebrow. “Business call? Is it

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

skepticism. “You look