My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 128: I’m Back, I’ll Sleep with You

Ryan Shaw, who was in the middle of a classified mission, suddenly sneezed.

His colleague beside him kindly handed him a tissue. "Catch a cold?"

Ryan Shaw thanked him and took it, rubbing his nose.

"I don’t think so. My nose was just suddenly a little itchy. Maybe someone’s thinking of me."

The two of them had been on surveillance all day. Since their target hadn’t made a move, they finally had a moment to chat.

"Oh? Your girlfriend?"

Ryan Shaw just smiled without answering, but his expression softened.

The man who asked the question got the hint and silently shut up, resuming his surveillance.

...

When it came to her area of expertise, Stella Sterling was nothing like her usual self, speaking with animated excitement.

Although there were some things Owen Rhodes didn’t quite understand, he listened patiently. ’I’ll have to brush up on this subject when I get back,’ he thought.

Seeing that he was quiet, Stella Sterling quickly stopped talking. "I’m sorry, I got carried away. Is this boring you?"

"Not at all. It’s very interesting listening to you. I can tell you’re really passionate about it."

Stella Sterling felt he was just being polite.

"Did you just get back from your business trip? You must have a lot to do, right? You don’t have to go out of your way to come see me if you’re busy."

Owen Rhodes’s eyes curved into a smile. "Seeing you *is* the important business. Have I been gone for so many days and you didn’t miss me at all?"

Ah...?

Stella Sterling was momentarily stunned.

She hadn’t expected Owen Rhodes to ask so directly.

Owen Rhodes looked down at her, and in a few moments, he saw her cheeks flush a rosy pink.

’So cute.’

He brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek. "You’re blushing."

"..."

Stella Sterling grabbed his hand to pull it away, only for him to catch hers in return.

Owen Rhodes asked persistently, "You still haven’t answered my question. Did you miss me?"

Stella Sterling stared at him for a moment, then suddenly stood on her tiptoes and leaned in closer.

His body tensed, unsure of what she was about to do.

Just as he thought Stella Sterling was about to hug him, he heard her take a faint sniff.

And then her quiet mumble: "You didn’t drink..."

Owen Rhodes gave a helpless laugh and gently pushed her back.

"I didn’t drink. Is my question so hard to answer?"

Stella Sterling twitched her nose. "You... wouldn’t have asked me this before... I’m a little surprised."

Owen Rhodes was quick to adapt.

"Mm, then I was in the wrong before. I’ll ask you more often from now on."

’Wait, is that what I meant?’

Before she could say anything, Owen Rhodes pulled her into his arms. "When I wasn’t with you, I missed you a lot."

Stella Sterling felt her heart suddenly start to race, leaving her flustered. But the scent of pine and bamboo that filled her nose was also exceptionally reassuring.

She suddenly remembered what he’d said the other day—that she should like him a little more.

Stella Sterling smiled and wrapped her right arm around his waist. "I missed you, too."

Owen Rhodes didn’t reply, but he pulled her even tighter into his embrace.

Mindful of her still-recovering arm, he held her for just a moment before letting go.

He looked at her for a moment, then ruffled her hair. "Alright, I won’t disturb you any longer. See you at home tonight."

"Mm-hmm."

Stella Sterling was a little afraid to look at him.

Owen Rhodes leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead, then turned and left.

If Stella Sterling had looked back at that moment, she might have seen the slight unsteadiness in Owen Rhodes’s steps.

Meanwhile, Ken, who had gone out to buy paint for Stella Sterling, felt like his world had collapsed when he returned.

What!

Owen Rhodes actually came to visit the studio while he was gone!

And of all things!

He brought afternoon tea from Stella Sterling’s favorite shop!

And he didn’t even get to have any!

That shop was his favorite, too.

This is so unfair!

Ken wanted to cry but had no tears.

That evening, as Ken drove Stella Sterling home, he looked like a wilted eggplant.

Stella Sterling found it amusing.

"Is it really that big of a deal? It’s just afternoon tea."

Ken shouted, "It is! It was free, and I wouldn’t have had to wait in line!"

That shop was so famous that even though its desserts were ridiculously expensive, it was still always packed with customers.

He was never willing to spend his own money there, and even if he waited in line, some desserts might not be available.

Not like Owen Rhodes, who just showed up and bought one of everything on the menu.

And of all things!

He didn’t even get a bite.

When Stella Sterling got home, Owen Rhodes saw the amused look on her face.

When he asked what was so funny, Stella Sterling told him about how Ken had been grumbling about the afternoon tea the entire ride home.

Owen Rhodes thought for a moment. "I’ll send him a red envelope some other day."

"Don’t!" Stella Sterling immediately stopped him. "It’s not like he’s short on money. Don’t spoil him. Oh, speaking of which! Did you promise Ken you’d give him that car after this job of mine is finished?"

Owen Rhodes nodded.

He didn’t think it was a big deal.

’Ken has been Stella Sterling’s assistant for so many years and has helped her with so much. It’s just a sports car; I can afford it.’

’Besides, I’ve given sports cars to the younger members of the Rhodes Family over the years, so it’s nothing special.’

Stella Sterling’s verdict was: "Spendthrift! Aren’t you afraid Ken will get cocky from being spoiled?"

’Who? Ken?’

Owen Rhodes smiled. "He won’t."

’Ken is a smart guy. He definitely knows that everything he’s getting now is because of Stella Sterling.’

’So if he wants to have a good life in the future, he’ll also know he has to assist Stella Sterling well.’

’That’s also why I haven’t replaced him all these years.’

’Ken is smart, down-to-earth, and hardworking. He has his own ambitions and ideas—he’s someone with potential who can be mentored.’

’In the future, when Stella Sterling has her own art exhibitions, or even opens a gallery, having Ken around will save a lot of trouble.’

Of course, he didn’t tell Stella Sterling any of this.

That night, after Owen Rhodes finished his work and washed up, he walked into the bedroom to see Stella Sterling reading that copy of *The Crowd* again.

She was sitting up against the headboard, but the book had slipped from her slackened grasp and fallen to the side. Her head was tilted as she slept.

Owen Rhodes found it amusing.

’If she doesn’t want to read it, she should just stop. I don’t know what she’s so insistent about,’ he thought.

He picked up the book and helped her lie down. "Stella, just go to sleep if you’re tired."

Stella Sterling mumbled a drowsy "mm-hmm."

She had been sleepy, but after lying down and hearing the rustling sounds of Owen Rhodes tidying up before turning off the light and coming back, she was suddenly wide awake.

Now, on the huge double bed, the two of them lay on opposite sides.

And between their pillows lay the "Owen Bear."

Owen Rhodes found it annoying and was about to reach out and remove it, but Stella Sterling’s arm shot out and hugged the Owen Bear to her chest.

By the warm, orange glow of the night-light, Owen Rhodes propped his head on one hand and lay on his side, watching her.

"You’re awake?"

Stella Sterling turned to look at him. "Mm, I dozed off for a bit, but I can still fall asleep now."

"Then go to sleep."

As he spoke, he reached for the bear in her arms.

"What are you doing?" Stella Sterling clutched the stuffed animal, refusing to let go. "It’s supposed to sleep with me."

Owen Rhodes frowned in displeasure. "I’m back. I’ll sleep with you."

Stella Sterling blinked mischievously. "But I think it’s more comfortable sleeping while hugging the Owen Bear."

’Owen Bear?’

’What a weird name.’

He scoffed and, without leaving room for refusal, yanked the obstacle away from between them.

"Stella, that’s just a stuffed bear. I’m much more useful than it is..."