“Don’t move.” His voice was low, almost a growl, and Stella could see his Adam’s apple bobbing with each breath. She didn’t dare to move, sensing a shift in him that was both subtle and intense.
Weston remained silent, the air thick with tension. He gently helped her put on her shoes and stood as she got ready to wash up. Without a word, Stella headed straight for the bathroom, not looking back.
Only after she had gone did Weston finally move. He stood still for a moment, calming himself before walking outside. When Stella emerged from the bathroom, she found him standing beside the small table on the bed, tidying up.
“I’ll eat in the living room,” she said, but he shook his head. “You haven’t recovered yet. It’s better for you to stay in bed.”
“I’m fine now,” she replied with a hint of irritation in her voice. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. Why should I stay in bed?” There was an edge of complaint in her words.
Suddenly, Weston froze mid-motion. It had been a while since he heard her speak like that—her tone different, not sharp or indifferent, but carrying an unexpected softness, a subtle coquettishness. It was a version of her he hadn’t seen in some time.
He took a slow breath and his movements resumed, more deliberate now. “We’ll go to the living room, then,” he said calmly, as if the change in her had not phased him at all. He didn’t find it troublesome, and he restored all the actions he had just done.
Stella turned slightly to watch him as he walked past her, from the corridor into the living room. Her expression quickly turned cold, though it was gone as swiftly as it came. What remained was an air of calm, with none of the confrontation she had carried before. She could switch between the two versions of herself so easily—it was like acting, almost second nature.
A small grin crept onto her face before she collected herself and walked out, her steps lighter now.
Breakfast went by without incident, quiet and smooth. Weston had finished long before her, but he lingered, watching her closely. Stella had only managed to sip a small mouthful of milk before frowning and setting the cup down, clearly not in the mood to continue.
Seeing this, Weston tapped his finger on the table, breaking the silence. “Don’t force yourself,” he said softly.
Stella paused, her eyes flicking to the half-empty cup. With a sigh, she put it down, the corners of her lips still stained with milk. Before she could reach for a napkin, Weston leaned in, gently wiping her lips with his thumb.
Stella froze, her face flushing. She was about to hand him a tissue when, to her surprise, he brought his thumb to his mouth and sucked it clean.
Her blush deepened, and she stammered, “You…”
Weston smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she muttered quickly, shaking her head and looking away, her discomfort apparent. She coughed to cover the awkwardness. “What time is it?”
“10 a.m.,” he replied.
Stella was quiet for a moment, lost in thought. The day was still early, and though she didn’t have to go to the training center, Weston could tell she had a lot on her mind.
“Don’t go anywhere today,” he said gently. “Just stay here and take care of your health.”
Her tone was flat, tinged with frustration. “Such a fine day, and I have to stay at home.”
“Is being with me a waste of time?” he asked, his voice tinged with something deeper.
Stella didn’t respond, but her eyes betrayed her, filled with quiet devastation. Weston’s heart tightened. He couldn’t bear the thought of her slipping back into her old, melancholy self—she had finally found a glimmer of joy in her life, and he wasn’t about to let it fade.
He softened his tone. “I can drive you around this afternoon, if you want. But if you start feeling unwell, we’ll head back right away. Do you understand?”
“Understood,” she said with a quick smile, the transformation so sudden it took him by surprise.
Weston stared at her, incredulous. “If you’re acting, your technique is incredible,” he muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated. He marveled at how quickly her expression had shifted, her facade slipping into place with such ease.
Skip to content