Chapter 427: Chapter 428

Stella picked a few ingredients, paid up, and headed home.

She looked visibly troubled as she remembered what the woman had told her, just as she knew that no one had come home for a while the leaves of the potted plants were curling up and withered, indicating that no one had watered it for days.

Roger was supposed to be home everyday even if he had classes in the morning. The house was also close enough to his campus, just as he used to cook for himself often.

The store owner’s words reminded her that Roger had gone for an interview without telling her… was he hiding even more from her? Or did he have other plans?

It was past nine when Roger reached home. As he put down his keys and turned on the lights, he entered the living room and was taken aback to see a person on the couch.

“Stella?”

He was hesitant, but walked up to her after changing out of his shoes, and saw that it was indeed Stella, asleep on the couch.

There was a flash of delight on his face. Worried that he would disturb her sleep, he gingerly crouched in front of her, wanting to carry her to her room.

The instant he touched her, however, Stella opened her eyes and saw him.”… You’re back.” She yawned drowsily as she sat up, while Roger sat beside her. “Why didn’t you tell me if you were coming back?” he asked, before remembering her text and call in the morning. “Oh, wait-you did call me.”

Stella stared into his eyes. “Yes. You didn’t answer, and texted back saying that you were in class.”

Seemingly feeling guilty, Roger averted his eyes. “It’s an important class, and I forgot to call you back after that…”

Stella’s expression soured right away, but though she wanted to ask why he would lie, she could not say those words at the sight of his evasive gaze.

“You should eat. I made some of your favorites,” she said with a sigh, before remembering something.

“Wait, did it get cold already?”

Roger followed her to the dining table to find it covered in scrumptious dishes, and a troubled look appeared on his face. “I’ve already eaten, Stella…”

Stella did a double take. “Oh, nevermind then…”

Still, Roger could not bear to let her effort go to waste. “We can eat it tomorrow once we reheat it.”

“But it won’t taste as good…”

“It’s fine. Your cooking is the best.” Stella smiled as she put away the dishes, while Roger asked, “What about you? Have you eaten yet?”

“I have.” with that, Roger helped Stella put the dishes into the fridge and quietly helped her with housework. However, he flinched inwardly when he saw Stella take a watering bucket to the potted plants on the balcony. Still, he acted casual and walked up to her. “Now I feel like a murderer for forgetting to water them.” Stella stroked the leaves of the plants in turn and giggled. “How poor is your memory? You’d see them on the balcony everyday when you leave for class and come home. It must have been a week since you last watered them?” Feeling a little guilty, Roger mumbled, “I’m not as attentive as you are.” Stella smiled but said nothing despite feeling disappointed inside.