Stella was jolted awake by the glaring lights, groggily sitting up to find Hyland Riley sitting at the edge of the bed, giving her a fright.
"Hyland, why aren't you sleeping? You scared me."
Hyland looked at Stella, words forming on his lips before he swallowed them back. "It's nothing, just had a nightmare. Go back to sleep."
A sultry smile played on Stella's face as she slowly approached Hyland, her hand reaching to touch his chest, a glint of desire in her eyes.
"Hyland, we could..."
But Hyland pushed her hand away, his expression slightly aloof.
"Stop it, just go to sleep."
Unhappy, Stella clung to Hyland's arm, pouting, "I..."
Hyland remained firm, tucking Stella back under the covers. "I'm going out for a smoke."
A growing unease settled in Stella's heart, a nagging feeling that Hyland was hiding something from her.
Hyland sat in the study, the rising smoke obscuring his eyes.
