“Is it that bad?” she asks, reading my expression.
I drop into the chair, crossing my legs. “I’m in love with her,” I say bluntly, not even trying to dance around it.
Stella’s mouth drops open in exaggerated surprise. “Seriously?”
“Always,” I admit. “I was in love with her when we were in school together, and I still am.”
“Wow,” she says, shaking her head with a half-smile. “You’re messed up.”
“Yeah,” I agree, pressing my lips together in frustration.
“And her? Does she feel the same?”
“I thought so,” I say, leaning back in the chair. “But something changed a few weeks ago, and I can’t get her to talk to me. She’s completely shut me out.”
Stella adjusts her blankets thoughtfully, her expression softening. “Hmm, give her time. She probably needs space to think. Being the boss’s lover isn’t exactly easy.”
“She’s not my lover,” I respond, sharper than I mean to. “If it were up to me, I would’ve married her yesterday.”
Stella lets out a soft laugh. “That’s a lot of pressure, Silas. You’ve gotta remember how they talked behind my back at the office. Hell, they had a new rumor about me every week.”
I can’t help but smile, remembering the absurdity of it all. “Honestly, they could’ve written their own soap opera with the stuff they came up with.”
She chuckles softly. “Exactly. So, give Lauren some time. She’s probably just trying to figure out how to deal with everything.”
Stella rubs her stomach, likely out of habit after carrying it for so long. “Actually, about two weeks ago, my mom called me because someone told her you were Poppy’s father.”
I burst out laughing. “I only paid for your treatment. That doesn’t make me the father.”
“And I can’t thank you enough,” she says, grinning.
“Thank me for not being the father or for paying for it?” I tease, and we both laugh.
“Seriously, though,” she continues, her tone softening. “If itweren’t for your help, I never would’ve fulfilled my dream of being a mother. Don’t think I’ll ever forget that.”
I stroke her hand gently and offer her a smile. “It’s nothing, Stella. You know that.”
Suddenly, Stella’s expression changes, her body stiffening as alarm flashes across her face. “Hey, you don’t think Lauren heard that rumor, do you?”
My stomach twists violently.
Oh, fuck.
I rake my hands through my hair and stand up, suddenly feeling like I can’t sit still in that chair any longer. My mind races, and then I remember—it was Dulce who dragged Lauren away from me at the party.
I’m going to fire someone. No, first, I’ll rip their damn eyes out and then ...
Before I can finish the thought, the door swings open, and a nurse walks in, carrying Poppy in her arms.
“It’s time to eat, Mom,” she says with a sweet smile, gently handing the baby to Stella.
I watch from a distance, my frustration momentarily melting away as I take in the scene. Stella holds Poppy with such tenderness, her eyes bright with maternal love. It’s impossible to deny how beautiful the moment is. “She’s beautiful,” I whisper.
Stella smiles softly, her attention completely on the baby. “Thank you,” she murmurs, stroking Poppy’s tiny hand. There’s so much love in her gaze, it almost feels too intimate for me to be part of.
I lean down, place a kiss on Stella’s forehead, and quietly head toward the door. Just as I’m about to leave, she calls out. “Silas!”
I stop and turn around.
