Chapter 514

Chapter 513:

It was already midnight. Stella had slept all afternoon, so sleep evaded her. Wearing only a thin nightdress, she decided to head downstairs to the restaurant for a glass of water.

As she descended the stairs, a bolt of lightning flashed across her vision. The lights outside flickered, momentarily stunning her delicate figure. Her thick, black, shoulder-length hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her finely shaped eyebrows furrowed in thought.

Soon, she heard a beep in the living room—the sound of the electronic key unlocking the door.

For no reason, Stella felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.

The living room door swung open, and a gust of wind rushed in, lifting Stella’s hair as she stood at the top of the stairs.

She hadn’t expected RK to return so late.

RK appeared to be drunk, his coat flaring in the night wind. A friend helped him inside, his tall, straight form swaying slightly.

Stella rushed over to support RK as he stumbled into the living room.

“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry to disturb your rest,” Evan Wood said, glancing at Stella in her thin attire, looking a bit embarrassed.

“It’s okay. I haven’t slept yet,” Stella replied softly, her voice gentle like a flower blooming in the night.

“I didn’t have time to come for your wedding. My name is Evan, Rene’s friend,” he introduced himself, extending his hand toward Stella.

“Stella,” she replied, shaking Evan’s hand awkwardly before quickly pulling it back.

Explore more fiction on gαℓησν풆ℓs.풸퓸헺 Evan smiled awkwardly, saying, “It’s our fault today. We’ve reconciled too much with Rene.”

“It’s okay. It’s late. Do you want to stay for the night and leave in the morning? It’s not safe to be out in the rain,” Stella suggested, glancing at the rain pouring outside the window.

“No, I have another friend in my car who drank a lot. I need to take him home,” Evan declined her offer and left.

Stella sighed helplessly as she looked at RK, who was sprawled on the sofa.

He leaned back, and even with his eyes closed, the unyielding aura emanating from him was unforgettable.

He wore his coat unbuttoned, revealing a dark suit, a white shirt, and a dark tie—well-coordinated, mature, and understated.

RK’s face alternated between light and shadow under the dim light, strikingly handsome. His arrogant and cold lips exuded a powerful temperament; even inebriated, he held an air of nobility and detachment.

Stella thought for a moment, “It’s so late. I don’t want to disturb Aunt Maya’s rest.”

She grabbed the remote control and turned off the overhead light, casting the living room into a dim glow. Turning away, she walked into the restaurant.

In less than ten minutes, she had prepared a hot bowl of sobering soup. As she entered the living room, a low, mellow voice emerged from the darkness.

“What time is it?”

Stella was startled by the sudden voice, her fingers trembling slightly as she nearly tipped over the cup. It took her a moment to realize it was RK who spoke.

He turned his head to glance at the dim light, rubbing his eyebrows, likely from the pain of drinking.

Seeing that no one answered for a while, he finally opened his eyes and looked at her.

Stella felt as if she was seeing another side of RK.

His blue eyes were deep and calm; he didn’t appear drunk. Instead, they held a sharp intensity that made it difficult for others to meet his gaze.

In the darkness, neither of them looked away.

RK regarded her like a composed hunter assessing the prey that had fallen into his trap.

Stella, on the other hand, wasn’t afraid of him.

Outside, lightning illuminated the night, casting a fleeting light across RK’s eyes, which reflected the image of the woman captured in the storm’s glow. The light, highlighting Stella’s nightdress, made her skin appear even more delicate and almost translucent.

As she gazed into RK’s deepening eyes, thoughts of their previous encounter made her cheeks flush.

Stella opened her mouth, ready to break the tense silence, but RK spoke first, his voice calm and low.

“What time is it?” he asked again, then leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes, seemingly dismissing the moment with Stella.

Seeing he had turned away, Stella glanced at the clock on the wall and replied, “It’s almost one o’clock in the morning.”

She walked up to RK, holding out the soup. “Drink this. It should help minimize the pain in the morning.”

RK didn’t move; he didn’t even open his eyes.

Stella remained by RK’s side, observing the stillness. “It’s late. Go get some rest. Don’t worry about me.” RK closed his eyes, pondering what Sophia had told him earlier that day.

Stella felt a pang of unhappiness at his distant demeanor. She noticed his calm facade under the dim light. In the end, she gently sat beside him, close enough to smell his scent—a potent mix of alcohol and a faint hint of cigarettes.

Looking at RK, she considered returning to her room but hesitated. She couldn’t bear to see him suffer like this.

The rain continued outside, and the living room felt warm. If he remained on the sofa all night, he would surely catch a cold by morning.

A soft sigh lingered on her lips.

“I’ll help you back to your room, or you’ll get sick tomorrow,” Stella said, looking at RK helplessly.

Suddenly, RK opened his eyes and stared at her, not breaking eye contact for a full minute.

“Bring me the sobering soup,” he requested.

Stella retrieved it from the coffee table and handed it to him. He took it, leaned forward, and placed the empty bowl back on the table.

The movement was casual, but it revealed a scent that caught Stella’s attention—women’s perfume.

It was a fragrance she recognized well, one that Sophia often wore.

So, RK had returned late because he was with Sophia.

The faint fragrance wafted from RK’s body, creeping into Stella’s senses.

What had once been a subtle scent now felt overwhelming.

She instinctively clenched her slender fingers, her sharp nails digging into her palms. The pain she felt was a futile response to the perfume filling her lungs.

She should remain calm and act as if nothing had happened, right? That was how it was supposed to be.

Since she knew RK and Sophia were acquainted, she shouldn’t have developed feelings for him. Even RK’s room contained a photo of him with Sophia.

From the beginning, she should never have fallen for RK.

RK was oblivious to her thoughts, just as he was lost in his own.

Suddenly, he stood up, startling Stella, who quickly rose to support him.

RK draped his arm over her shoulder, and with his towering height, it felt as though he was embracing her.

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