Chapter 128
A familiar, crisp scent wrapped around her.
Keith’s head snapped up, his gaze locking onto a pair of piercing, deep–set eyes–cold as an abyss, carrying an undeniable
pressure that made it hard to breathe.
His chest tightened. This man was no ordinary person.
Stephen hadn’t expected to see Stellar returning home with another man..
to go out with?
So, this was the ”
“friend” she had ditched him to go
An unfamiliar sting settled in his chest, a bitter feeling he couldn’t quite name.
At the same time, a hint of wariness toward Keith stirred within him.
“Senior?”
Stellar turned, blinking up at him in surprise, her bright eyes hazy from the alcohol.
“How much did you drink?”
The moment her gaze met his, the sharp chill in Stephen’s eyes melted into something deep and soft.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve picked you up.”
His voice was low, almost intimate, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Stellar tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion flickering across her face.
The alcohol still clouded her mind, leaving her unsure of how to respond.
Meanwhile, Keith’s eyelid twitched.
First Percy, now this guy?
And from the looks of it, this one was on a completely different level.
“This gentleman,” Stephen said smoothly, wrapping an arm around Stellar’s shoulder. “Thanks for bringing her home, but next
time, you don’t need to trouble yourself.”
the lit fuse.
Their eyes met–tension crackling in the air like a lit fuse.
After a moment, Keith let out a slow smile. “I did it willingly. Though, I can’t help but wonder–what exactly is your relationship
with Stellar?”
He said her name so intimately, as if there was something between them.
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Chapter 128
Stephen raised an eyebrow but didn’t flinch.
His expression remained composed as he replied, “She didn’t tell you? We live together.”
Keith’s heart skipped a beat.
They lived together?
His calm facade cracked for the first time as he instinctively turned to Stellar for confirmation.
“Is that true?”
Even in her drunken haze, Stellar nodded. “Yeah!”
They lived in villas right across from each other–wasn’t that technically living in the same place?
Keith’s face paled.
A sharp, invisible crack echoed in his chest like the sound of something breaking.
…Since you’re home, I’ll get going.”
His eyelashes trembled slightly, the light in his eyes dimming
Without another word, he turned and drove off, disappearing into the night.
Stephen’s lips curved in satisfaction as he secured his hold on Stellar, guiding her toward the villa.
As they walked, he casually probed, his tone light but laced with something deeper.
“You were out drinking with him tonight?”
Stellar, still groggy, was starting to feel drained.
“Something like that.”
A tightness settled in Stephen’s chest.
He pressed further,
“Who is he? He looks kind of familiar.”
Stellar yawned, her voice drowsy and indistinct.
“His last name is Sinclair… just someone I recently became friends with.”
“Boyfriend?” The word slipped out before Stephen could stop himself.
Her eyes were already half–closed, her mind too foggy to catch what he said.
She gave a sleepy “Mhm” in response, resting her head against his shoulder as she drifted off.
+20 Bonus
+20 Bonus
Her soft, steady breathing brushed against his neck.
Though her breath was warm against his skin, Stephen’s heart sank like a stone.
An indescribable feeling surged inside him like swallowing several lemons at once, so sour he couldn’t even find the words.
He held her steady as they made their way to the front door.
Pressing the doorbell, he waited.
Mary had been expecting her, and she rushed to open the door.
The moment she saw Stellar nestled against his chest, she froze.
Her expression instantly shifted, looking tense and guarded.
“What happened to Miss Stellar?”
