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 attitude stung. “Okay, fine,” he said, his

moment before replying with a haughty air, “Eggs.

toast it is.” He set the mixing

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

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

dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure

them with a side of sliced avocado. He placed the dish in front of Stella, trying to maintain

a bite, her expression softening slightly as she savored the food. “Mmm, not

relief, glad that his efforts had paid off,

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

meant less trouble for

O

not Timothy. It wasn’t the win that Stella thought it was,

was presenting. She had made it clear that Timothy had to cater to her preferences, and he complied for now, albeit begrudgingly. It was

of starting the day with an argument, especially after his attempt to make things

finger against her lips. “You can make it up

he had expected, but if that’s what it would

“Good. I’m going to start planning

resignation. He had agreed to them having a wedding

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

perfect. I need to be in control of the arrangements to ensure that it’s just the way

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

a stark contrast to her earlier anger. “Don’t

scrambled

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Chapter 166

took the last bite, a sudden vibration from her phone. interrupted

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

voice tinged with a

of her phone. “Just a business call,” she finally replied, attempting

“Business

darted around the room, avoiding Timothy’s penetrating

his skepticism. “You look