He Never Noticed Me Until I Loved Someone Else novel Chapter 11

Stella's voice was weak and hoarse, thick with congestion. Combined with the pouring rain, Jarrod couldn't quite make out what she was saying.

By now, Stella was clinging to his waist for dear life, as if he were her only lifeline in a storm. "So cold," she mumbled. "Hold me..."

The scent of alcohol drifted through the air. Jarrod frowned. "You've been drinking?"

Stella felt like she had been waiting for a century.

Thank God, she had finally found him.

The embrace in front of her was warm and safe, and his familiar scent turned all her pent-up grievances into a flood of bitter tears.

She couldn't hear what the man was saying. She only knew she wanted to sink into his arms, clinging to him with a mix of longing and stubborn dependency. "I said I'm cold," she coaxed impatiently. "Hurry up and hold me..."

The man seemed to pause for a second, but he scooped her up in his arms anyway.

Stella wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest and rubbing against him affectionately. She had so much hurt built up inside her that she couldn't contain it. "Why did it take you so long..."

Stella was incredibly light. She clung to him desperately, like a lost child who had finally found her anchor, desperately trying to siphon his warmth.

Her hot tears soaked through his shirt, pressing against Jarrod's skin.

Jarrod looked down at the unusually clingy woman in his arms, his frown deepening.

Ever since they got married, Stella had always been quiet and demure.

Why was she acting so out of character today?

"Cold, it hurts..." Stella shifted in his arms, as if begging to be soothed.

Jarrod pressed his lips into a thin line and quickened his pace toward the apartment building.

Once inside, Jarrod carried Stella straight into the bathroom and turned on the hot water.

"Take a shower to warm up."

He set her down on the edge of the bathtub and reached out to take her crossbody bag.

Stella anxiously yanked it back.

With a soft thud, a light gray cashmere scarf tumbled out of it and onto the floor.

"It's going to get dirty!" Stella panicked, reaching down to grab it.

She nearly tumbled to the floor in the process.

Jarrod caught her just in time.

Stella stubbornly grabbed the scarf anyway. Staring at the muddy stain on the fringes, tears spilled down her cheeks in heavy drops.

"..." Jarrod stared at her.

"The towels are right here. Call me if you need anything."

Jarrod gritted his teeth and marched out of the bathroom.

Noticing his own clothes were damp, he went into the bedroom and changed into a dry set of loungewear.

Then, he grabbed a fresh set of pajamas and walked back to the bathroom door.

"I left your clothes by the door," he called out.

The water was running loudly inside, but she didn't answer.

Remembering how out of it she was, Jarrod frowned and knocked. "Stella?"

Still no response.

His gaze turned somber, and he forcefully twisted the doorknob open.

The bathroom was filled with steam. Stella had actually fallen asleep in the bathtub!

The hot water was spilling over the edges. Her head was resting on the rim of the tub, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders, eyes shut tight, and a bright, unnatural flush spreading across her cheeks.