My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 121: While I’m on a Business Trip, It’ll Sleep With You
Stella Sterling felt a little embarrassed, but if this was what Owen Rhodes wanted, she was willing to indulge him.
After all, it was just a matter of packing a few things.
When Tate heard this, her initial surprise gave way to a delighted expression.
She immediately chuckled and said she understood.
But since this was her first time, and Stella Sterling didn’t quite know where all of Owen Rhodes’s things were kept—not to mention her arm hadn’t fully recovered—Tate went with her.
Of course, to be mindful of Stella Sterling’s injury, Tate did most of the work.
She left a few small items for Stella Sterling to handle, so she could still contribute her part.
The wardrobe directly in the walk-in closet held Owen Rhodes’s everyday shirts, jackets, and dress pants; the drawer in the middle of the wardrobe held his ties; and the cabinet opposite the wardrobe held his duffel bags and suitcases.
As for Owen Rhodes’s undergarments, they were actually kept in the pajama wardrobe in the bedroom.
After a tour with Tate, Stella Sterling now had a general idea of where everything was kept.
Owen Rhodes said he would probably be gone for a week this time. After Tate finished packing the clothes, Stella Sterling added a few other daily necessities to his suitcase.
As Owen Rhodes came out of the study, he happened to run into Tate, who had just finished with the luggage and was heading back to her room.
Tate smiled brightly the moment she saw him.
Her smile left Owen Rhodes a little baffled.
"What is it, Tate?"
Tate opened her mouth to answer, but then, wanting to give Owen Rhodes a surprise, she just smiled and shook her head.
"You’ll find out in due time."
Owen Rhodes: ?
He tilted his head, confused, but Tate was determined not to say a word and had already returned to her room. He had no choice but to head for the master bedroom.
When he returned to their room, Stella Sterling was sitting up against the headboard.
She was still stubbornly trying to read The Crowd.
Just as Owen Rhodes looked over, Stella Sterling happened to cover her mouth and yawn.
Her drowsy, glistening eyes made a person want to...
...tease her.
His steps faltered for a moment. But Stella Sterling had already spotted him and beckoned him over.
"What’s wrong?"
He walked over, sat down beside her, closed the book—still on page three—and placed it on the nightstand.
"Don’t read it if you don’t like it. There’s no need to force yourself."
Stella Sterling’s glistening eyes widened. "Are you looking down on me?"
Owen Rhodes chuckled. "That’s not what I meant."
Stella Sterling huffed. ’I don’t believe you.’
The tip of her nose was small and delicate, utterly adorable to look at.
Owen Rhodes couldn’t resist reaching out to gently pinch the tip of her nose.
"What did you need?"
Stella Sterling’s face fell. "Owen, what am I going to do? I won’t be able to get up in the morning while you’re on your business trip."
Stella Sterling was used to indulging herself. It had been a long time since she’d had to wake up at a set time; most days, she just let herself sleep in.
Owen Rhodes went along with it, even telling Tate not to disturb her.
The blackout curtains in the room were so effective that she often slept until noon.
But for the past few days, she’d been forced to wake up early for work.
Waking up early was torture, and Owen Rhodes was always the one to get her out of bed.
Owen Rhodes didn’t say much, just stroked her head. "Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it."
But Owen Rhodes didn’t say what "it" was.
Perhaps because he was leaving for his trip the next day, Owen Rhodes also let himself indulge a little.
Stella Sterling didn’t get to sleep until the wee hours, so when Owen Rhodes woke her up early the next morning, her resentment was practically demonic.
With a grim face, she glared resentfully at the cheerful-looking man.
Owen Rhodes, however, didn’t seem to mind.
He carried her to the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste onto her brush, and poured her some mouthwash.
He set her down in front of the vanity, and Stella Sterling glared at him.
He clumsily clipped back a stray lock of her hair, and Stella Sterling glared at him.
He held the toothbrush out to her, and Stella Sterling glared at him.
Utterly unfazed, Owen Rhodes leaned in good-naturedly and said, "Open up."
’She could see it now. A thoroughly sated man was willing to humble himself enough to brush her teeth for her.’
Stella Sterling snatched the toothbrush from him. "I’ll do it myself!"
"Let me do it. You can just stay mad."
"..."
’He’s the worst!’
Stella Sterling turned and pushed him out.
Worried she might accidentally hurt her arm again, Owen Rhodes didn’t insist and obediently left.
Stella Sterling stewed in her resentment right up until Liam Hawthorne arrived at Lanthos Bay to pick up Owen Rhodes.
The moment Liam walked in, he sensed a strange atmosphere.
Owen Rhodes was holding a small tote bag while getting milk and fruit for Stella Sterling.
"You like peaches, so I packed two. They brown easily, so have Ken cut them for you later. Tate already sliced the mango, so you can eat that in the car..."
The married man seemed to be thoroughly enjoying packing a snack bag for his wife.
His wife, however, was standing to the side, silent and looking distinctly displeased.
Owen Rhodes gave the fully stuffed tote bag one last look before placing it on the entryway cabinet.
Although Stella Sterling was unhappy, she still begrudgingly walked to the door to see Owen Rhodes off, since Liam Hawthorne was here to get him.
’Furious, but I still have to see him off.’
Seeing her look so adorably grumpy, Owen Rhodes couldn’t help but smile.
After changing his shoes, Owen Rhodes leaned down, pulled her into his arms, and whispered coaxingly, "Don’t be upset anymore. You won’t see me for a whole week. Aren’t you going to miss me?"
Stella Sterling pouted, and Owen Rhodes took the opportunity to lean down and kiss her.
"Alright, I promise I’ll be more careful next time."
Stella Sterling was skeptical. "You said that last time, too."
Owen Rhodes feigned ignorance, handed the suitcase to Liam Hawthorne, and leaned in to kiss her cheek again.
"I’m off. I got a gift for you. You’ll see it when you get home tonight."
At the mention of a gift, the resentment in Stella Sterling’s eyes finally began to fade.
"What is it?"
"You’ll find out when you get home tonight."
With that, Owen Rhodes got in the car and left.
And so, for the rest of the day, the "gift" was like a carrot dangling before a donkey, constantly on her mind.
She had spent three days creating four different designs for Zion Shawcross to choose from.
Truth be told, Zion Shawcross had loved every single one of Stella Sterling’s designs.
For a fleeting moment, he found himself empathizing with Faye Rhodes, but he quickly reined in his wandering thoughts.
Zion Shawcross quickly selected one of the versions, and Stella Sterling began the illustration process.
However, between the "carrot" dangling in her mind all day and her poor sleep the night before, Stella Sterling was having trouble concentrating.
So, she didn’t stay late, heading back to Lanthos Bay just after five.
Back in the bedroom, she was about to grab her pajamas and get ready for bed when she spotted a gift box on the nightstand.
The "carrot" that had been taunting her all day was finally about to be unveiled.
The gift box, patterned with a pale yellow watercolor wash, was tied with a large, dark blue ribbon.
She opened it. Inside was a teddy bear dressed in a tiny shirt and a knit vest. Embroidered on the dark brown vest in off-white thread was "R."
The bear was posed as if presenting a letter, its paws holding a small greeting card.
On the card, in his familiar, bold handwriting, were the words: While I’m away on business, he can sleep with you.
Gazing at the sweet, smiling teddy bear, the last of her resentment finally melted away completely.
