Chapter 56

Stella's POV

That afternoon, I called Sam to cancel our shopping plans,claiming I

wasn't feeling well. It wasn't entirely a lie-I could barely walk. "Are you sure you're okay?" Sam asked, her voice filled with conc

ern. "You don't sound right."

"Just tired," I assured her. "I'll call you tomorrow."

After hanging up, I sat on the living room sofa, wincing as I tried

to find a comfortable position. The events of last night replayed

in my mind, bringing both embarrassment and a strange sense of

satisfaction. What was I thinking last night? Why did I provoke him like that?

I berated myself. I could have been straightforward. After all, I'm

his lawful wife-what's there to be embarrassed about?Why did I

make things so complicated?

Recalling Adam's expression when I challenged his masculinity mad

e me cringe. No wonder he was so... determined to prove me wr

ong. Joseph appeared with a tea tray. "Mrs. Lancaster, shall I leave the

afternoon tea here?" "Yes, thank you." I carefully adjusted my position, trying not to w

ince too obviously.

Joseph's face remained professionally neutral, but I saw a hint of

knowing amusement in his eyes."Mr. Lancaster called. He mention

ed he might be late tonight-an urgent business meeting."

"Isee." I took the teacup, avoiding eye contact. "He also inquired if you needed anything special for dinner.Perhap

s... something easy to digest?"

The teacup nearly slipped from my hand. "A regular dinner will b

e fine, thank you."

After Joseph left, I buried my face in a decorative pillow. Even th

e butler knows! This was beyond embarrassing.

I thought of Adam-probably sitting in some corporate boardroom r

ight now, completely composed and authoritative,while I could bar

ely walk across the room. The unfairness of it made me chuckle

bitterly into the pillow. Next time, I promised myself, I'll make him beg. A moment later, I realized what I was thinking. Next time?When had I

started taking our ongoing intimacy for granted?

I sipped my tea slowly, watching the patterns of sunlight move across the expensive carpet. Perhaps it was time to admit, at leas

t to myself, that I had fallen in love with Adam.

I am not sure when it began, but I started to care about his feel

ings,allowing him to enter my heart. Perhaps it was his unwaverin

g support in times of need, or maybe I was simply captivated by

his charm. I find myself increasingly entranced by him. Adam's POV

As I entered the main building, I immediately sensed a different a

tmosphere. It wasn't the usual quiet emptiness I felt when I cam

e home from work. There she was-Stella, asleep on the chaise lounge by the floor-to- ceiling windows. The evening sunlight cast a warm glow on her fa

ce,highlighting her delicate profile. A high-end design magazine lay

loosely in her fingers, ready to slip to the floor at any moment. She had covered herself with a cashmere blanket,perhaps feeling

cold again. Seeing her there, peacefully asleep in my domain where I had always

lived alone, made me pause. I found myself studying her features-the

dark circles under her eyes, the slight furrow of her brows even in sleep, her long lashes casting tiny shadows on her cheeks. The irritation caused by the online rumors linking her to Luke Mo

rgan dissipated, replaced by an unfamiliar feeling in my chest. Joseph appeared silently beside me."Sir, the lady woke up around

noon. After lunch. she briefly checked her phone and then fell a

sleep again."

I approached her. reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. "What's

wrong? Lost your voice?"

"Sore throat," she replied hoarsely, her voice noticeably raspier th

an in the morning.

I frowned slightly. "Caught a cold?"

She gave me a cold look, clearly conveying,"Are you serious?After

what you did to me last night?" Realization dawned, and I could

n't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "Such a delicate flower," I commented, enjoying the flash of anno

yance on her face. Stella glared at me for a few seconds before dramatically turning away, wrapping the blanket tightly around herself. The gesture was childish, almost petulant, but somehow, I found it...endearing? In the dining room. I watched as the staff set out an exquisite m

eal-carefully selected American seafood dishes, both nutritious and

delicious. "Sir," one of the staff approached, "the lady says she's not feelin

g well and doesn't want to move. She wishes to dine on the sof

a in the living room."

I nodded, dismissing him, and returned to the living room.Stella w

as asleep again, her breathing steady and slow. *How can she sleep so much?* I wondered. *She barely moved a

ll day, is she really that tired?* The thought that I had exhausted

her brought a sense of male pride.

I reached out, gently patting her cheek. "Stella, wake up. Eat first, then you can sleep."

"Don't want to move," she mumbled without opening her eyes,he

r brows furrowing in displeasure.

I sighed. She was truly childlike. Without hesitation, I stood up fr

om my wheelchair and scooped her into my arms. Her eyes wide

ned in surprise, but her damaged throat could only produce a sm

all gasp.