Chapter 47

"Stella? Are you home?" Eric called out, his voice echoing as he searched through the rooms. He called her name again as he moved from room to room. Stella, still half-asleep, heard his voice and rubbed her eyes as she sat up in bed. That’s strange... How could she be hearing Eric’s voice? Wasn’t he supposed to be at work? Still groggy, she tried to shake off the sleepiness when the bedroom door suddenly swung open. As Eric stepped inside, the moonlight streaming through the window, along with the soft glow of the bedside lamp, lit up Stella, who was sitting on the bed in a daze. It was only then that the rapid pounding of his heart began to slow. He sighed in relief, loosened his tie, flicked on the light, and shrugged off his jacket. Stella raised a hand to shield her eyes, waiting for them to adjust to the brightness. Once her vision cleared, she sluggishly turned her head toward Eric, confusion in her voice. "Eric? What are you doing here?" "