Chapter 35

▫️Nick's POV...

I had just wrapped up my work and was heading back to the mansion when my phone buzzed. It was MJ. I picked it up. “Yo, brotha, what’s up?”

MJ wasted no time. “Listen carefully, man. Stella told me something wild. Apparently, Chris told her he likes someone, and Nick here”—he emphasized my name like I wasn’t the one on the call—“misunderstood and thought it was her.”

I nearly swerved the car. “Utter nonsense. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard today, and I just dealt with a guy who couldn’t count to ten. Chris is in denial. Straight-up.”

MJ snorted. “Exactly! That man hasn’t even met another girl. Even his dogs are male. So, who the hell is this mysterious girl whom he fell in love with?”

I thought about it for a second. “She doesn’t exist. He’s lying through his teeth. I bet he just panicked and said the first thing that came to his mind.”I laughed and said, "But what he said gonna cost him too much."

MJ sighed. “I know he’s lying. He just can’t admit to Stella that he likes her. But you know what? We’re gonna make him admit it. One way or another.”

That got my attention. “Alright, what’s the plan?”

MJ’s voice dropped to that mischievous tone he uses when he’s up to no good. “We’re either gonna push Chris to confess, or… we’re getting Stella a real boyfriend. She deserves a good man in her life too.”

I smirked. “Finally, a solid plan. I’m in. Let’s mess with him a bit.”

MJ explained the details, and honestly, it was brilliant. I could already picture the chaos. “Great idea, dude. Let’s see how long Captain Denial can hold out.”

“Exactly,” MJ said with a laugh. “We’ve been serving Chris’s ego for far too long. Now it’s time to serve Stella.”

“Or, as I like to call her, Sister-in-Law,” I added with a grin.

This was going to be fun. Christian’s denial phase? Over. Time to watch him squirm.

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▫️Christian's POV...

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What the hell did I just do? I don’t even like anyone else, but my dumbass had to lie, and now I’m screwed. Fucked.

And the way Stella reacted? Goddamn, I think I just destroyed any tiny chance I had of her feeling something for me. Gone. Poof. Bye-bye, Christian. Good job, dumbass.

Why didn’t I just admit it when Stella was here? I could’ve said, “Yeah, it’s you, Stella. I like you, you idiot.” But nope, my denial mode was in full swing. Now that everything’s fucked six ways to Sunday, I’m here panicking like an idiot, finally admitting to myself, Yeah, I have feelings for her.

Everything about her matters to me. The way she talks, how she gets annoyed, even the way she looks at me like I’m the dumbest man alive—which, to be fair, I am. When she mentioned divorce earlier, it hit me like a damn bullet to the heart. Divorce her? Impossible. I wouldn’t. I can’t.

But here’s the problem—I don’t have the balls to tell her I like her. I just can’t. I don’t know why. Every time I look at her, my brain short-circuits, and all my courage goes down the drain.

Side effects of being single for way too long, I guess.

I paced around like a madman until Nick got back. The moment he walked into the mansion, I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to my room. “Bro, it’s urgent!” I said, locking the door behind us.

Nick raised an eyebrow. “What’s up, man?”

“I fucked everything up. Everything.” I ran a hand through my hair, pacing.

Nick leaned against the wall, clearly amused. “What happened now?”

I sighed. “It’s my dumbass, that’s what happened. I acted like a complete idiot in front of Stella. I told her I like someone else, and I even made up a fucking name! Now she’s pissed and said I should divorce her before I get a side chick as my main chick.”

Nick burst out laughing. “She really said that?”

“Yes! And she was furious!” I groaned, slumping into a chair. “She thinks I’m out here planning some twisted love triangle when the truth is, there’s no other girl! It’s her. It’s always been her.”

Nick smirked. “Then just admit it, dude. Tell her you like her.”

“I can’t!” I snapped. “I just… I know it, but I can’t say it. My brain freezes, my mouth goes dry, and I end up lying like an idiot.”

Nick chuckled, shaking his head. “Man, you’re whipped. Look, there’s only one solution here—take her to the party.”

I frowned. “What’s a party gonna do?”

“It’ll lighten the mood, maybe make her laugh. And at the right moment with the help of drinks and environment,  you might actually grow a pair of balls and tell her how you feel.”

I sighed. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

Nick clapped me on the shoulder. “Good. Now stop sulking, man. You’re acting like you’re in a telenovela.”

He left the room, leaving me to stew in my mess. But I couldn’t relax. It was already past midnight, and I had to check on Stella. It’s become a habit now—I can’t sleep without knowing she’s okay.

I quietly opened her door and peeked in. There she was, asleep on her bed, looking like a damn angel. My heart clenched as I stared at the empty side of the bed—my side. I used to sleep beside her, before I fucked everything. But if I tried to sleep there, she’d probably murder me in the morning.

I leaned down, kissed her cheek softly, and whispered, “Goodnight, baby. Hope I grow some balls soon.”

Then I left, dragging myself back to my room. Lying on my cold, empty bed, everything felt… incomplete. She’s mine. She just doesn’t know it yet. And somehow, I need to fix this mess before I lose her for good.