Now They Want My Forgiveness - Chapter 230: Chapter 230

Eleanor gently patted Stella's hand. "There now, it's alright. Seeing you running the company, keeping everything your grandfather and I built alive... It makes this old heart proud. Just do whatever makes you happy."
Stella nodded. Eleanor always turned in early, and soon after, she headed off to bed.
Stella's control over her body had gotten much better recently. When she had to use the restroom, she could almost always make it in time now.
Tonight, however, the toilet in her own bathroom was clogged. She needed to find someone to fix it, but first, she really had to go. She made a beeline for the guest bathroom.
She pushed the door open without thinking and froze. Standing there was Jordan, using the toilet. She got an eyeful of everything. Her face flashed bright red, and she instinctively slammed the door shut.
"Oh my god, I-I am so sorry," Stella stammered from the hallway. "I didn't know you were in there. Why... Why wasn't the door locked?"
She could hear the faint sound of him getting dressed. Meanwhile, her brain was short-circuiting, stuck on that censored image.
The door opened, and Jordan leaned against the doorframe. A wicked little smirk played on his lips as he took in her bright red face.
"Lock's busted," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I put in a call for a repair, but no one's shown up. My bathroom's clogged too, so I came here. Didn't think we'd have the same problem."
Stella stared at her feet, unable to meet his eyes. "Mine's clogged, too. Is the whole system screwed up or something?"
Jordan thought about it. "Probably. Looks like you're gonna be up late tonight."
"It's fine," Stella mumbled. "I'm fine."
"Do you need to use it? Go, it's all yours," Jordan said, stepping out of her way.
Stella slipped inside and quickly shut the door behind her. She tried the lock, but sure enough, it really was broken. She sat on the toilet, but all she could think about was that image of Jordan doing his business.
She shook her head, trying to physically get rid of the image. She thought, 'Get a grip, Stella.' But it was no use. It was like the memory was stuck in a loop, and she couldn't find the stop button.
Stella splashed her face with cold water, forcing herself to focus. It helped, clearing her head a bit. But when she stepped out, she was surprised to see Jordan still standing right there by the door.
"You..." Stella hesitated, not sure what to say.
"I figured I'd stand watch, in case someone else tried to walk in," Jordan explained. "A bunch of the pipes are clogged. Plumbers are working on them."
A pleasant warmth bloomed in Stella's chest. She thought, 'He waited here... He was standing guard for me?'
"I had them start on your room first," Jordan told her. "If you're tired, you can just crash in my room."
Stella was about to refuse, but then Jordan added, "I'll sleep in the study."
"No, that's ridiculous. I can't take your bed and kick you out," she argued. "Doesn't your room have a couch? I can just crash on that."
"You're not sleeping on the couch. I am," he said. "You take the bed. Unless... you're not comfortable sharing a room with me?"
Stella grinned. "Why would I be uncomfortable? It's not like you're into me. It's just one night."
His heart ached for Stella. She was so beautiful. Just from what he knew about her, there had to be so many guys who liked her.
He thought, 'Now she thinks so little of herself that she can't imagine any man wanting her. Does she have any idea? Why else would I have married her?'
"Stella," Jordan said, suddenly stepping closer. She flinched, instinctively backing away from him.
"Don't sell yourself short," he murmured. "You've always been stunning. And it's not like guys aren't interested in you. Actually, a lot of guys are totally into you."
Stella held her breath, completely thrown by his words. 'What is he even trying to say?' she wondered.
"Okay," Jordan said. "You should get to bed. I've got some things to take care of in the study."
Stella just watched him go, completely speechless.