Once inside, Stella headed upstairs to unwind with a bath.
Fresh from her bath, she discovered a message from Miley. It included a photo of a romantic candlelit dinner, casting a warm glow over her evening.
Miley had also dined there that very evening. She and Neville had seen Stella’s and Matthew’s cars peel away one after the other, just missing the opportunity for a quick hello.
Their brief conversation was cut short as a wave of sleepiness enveloped Stella. She had been unusually tired of late. Just as she reached to turn off the light, the door to her bedroom creaked open.
Matthew stepped in and sat beside her on the bed, his voice soft.
“Could you help me with this ointment?”
“It’s just a few bruises on the face. You can handle it in front of a mirror,” Stella countered, her tone practical yet gentle.
Matthew fell silent, his eyes conveying a silent plea.
Puzzled by his expression, Stella met his gaze.
Suddenly, Matthew leaned in, his whisper intimate. “Can’t you see I’m trying to make amends?”
Stella’s eyes flew open in surprise.
Frozen in place, she stared at Matthew as he inched closer. Her heart pounded against her chest, a storm of emotions whirling inside her.
In a swift motion, she pushed him back. “What is there to make amends for?”
Matthew straightened, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
His eyes twinkled with cunning. “I’m fixing past errors. Besides, if you were still upset, stepping into the master bedroom would be off- limits for me.”
Stella eyed Matthew, her gaze sharpened by suspicion.
After a moment’s silence, she posed her question. “You really haven’t recovered your memory?”
The dialogue didn’t suit Matthew, given his struggle with memory loss.
Matthew replied earnestly, “No.”
Seizing the opportunity, he continued, “Could you help me with the ointment? I avoided it on purpose today.”
Stella murmured, “What kind of logic is that?”
Matthew grinned. “If I heal too quickly, I’ll lose my excuse to stay close to you.”
Color rose in Stella’s cheeks as she whispered, “Please, stop talking.”
She swiftly retrieved the ointment and began applying it to Matthew’s face.