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.”

of his way to make a special breakfast for her, and her dismissive attitude stung. “Okay, fine,”

for a moment before replying with a haughty air, “Eggs. Scrambled, with

He set the mixing bowl aside and reached for the eggs

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

the edge of his patience fraying.

sarcasm. “Oh, I’m sure you’re trying

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,

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

his efforts had paid

to please Stella were worth the

less trouble for Evie,

O

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

preferences, and he complied for now, albeit begrudgingly. It was a small victory in her eyes, a way to assert her dominance, which she seemed to

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

tapping a finger against her lips. “You can make it up to me by letting me throw a wedding shower for

wasn’t what he had expected,

response was swift, and her words carried an edge of determination. “Good. I’m going to start planning it right now. It’s

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

the maid of honor who throws

I want everything to be perfect. I need

with Stella about this wouldn’t get

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

scrambled eggs and

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Chapter 166

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

her brow furrowing in puzzlement at the caller ID. She quickly silenced the ringer and shot a nervous glance in Timothy’s direction.

voice tinged with a

moment, her fingers absently tapping the edge of her phone.

raised an eyebrow. “Business call? Is

avoiding Timothy’s penetrating stare. “It’s

couldn’t hide his skepticism. “You look pretty nervous