Chapter 197 If I Haven’t Made My Wife Happy, Then It Means I’m Not Capable Enough

Chapter 197 If I Haven’t Made My Wife Happy, Then It Means I’m Not Capable Enough

When Stella woke, the sun was already slanting westward. She lay against Mason's broad chest, a flash of shyness flickering through her bright eyes.

"Wife, you're awake?"

Mason had been too excited to sleep all night, yet he hadn't dared shift positions for fear of disturbing the woman sleeping soundly against him.

So now that he was awake, his entire body felt stiff.

"Who's your wife? Stop calling me that." Stella huffed, climbing off him. "Where are my clothes?"

"Right here, babe. Let your husband help you put them on." Mason reached over to grab the clothes beside them.

Stella snatched them away. "I'll do it myself."

Mason saw right through her anger and immediately sidled up shamelessly. "Wife, why are you upset? Did I not satisfy you last night? How about we go again? I promise—"

"Mason!" Stella glared at him with glistening eyes. "Say one more word and I swear I'll never speak to you again!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Last night he'd promised just once, but the man had been insatiable, holding her through round after round.

Her bones felt like they'd come apart. If she hadn't begged tearfully for mercy at the end, he wouldn't have let her go even at daybreak.

Growing more indignant by the second, Stella turned away, refusing to look at him.

Knowing he'd angered Stella, Mason pressed against her like a large puppy. "Wife, I was wrong. Next time just three times, okay?"

Stella glared at him again.

Mason swallowed. "Twice... that's as low as I can go, or I'll actually die from frustration!"

His words were so blunt that Stella couldn't bear to look at him.

Who knew such a beast lurked beneath that seemingly innocent face!

"Get away from me!"

Stella had no desire to deal with him right now.

Any other man would have backed off.

But Mason had different principles.

Wives needed coaxing—if you couldn't do it, that was your own failing.

So he pressed closer like a child who'd done wrong. "Wife, anger causes wrinkles. If you're really that mad, hit me a couple times? Please?"

Stella said nothing, finishing dressing and getting out of bed.

Mason suddenly pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her hair with his nose. "Wife, what will it take for you to forgive me?"

Just then, Stella's phone rang.

Seeing Sebastian's call, she jabbed Mason's body with her elbow. "Let go, I need to answer."

"You can answer in my arms." Mason refused to release her, reaching over to grab her phone and hand it to her.

Stella shot Mason a reproachful glare but ultimately had no choice. She answered the phone in his embrace. "Sebastian..."

"Stella, are you free tonight?"

"Yes."

"Anything you'd like to eat?"

"Anything's fine."

Sebastian paused for a second. "Alright, I'll send you the address."

While Stella was on the phone, Mason kept playing with strands of her hair.

Seeing her hang up, he pulled her tighter into his arms. "Who was that?"

"Sebastian."

"What does he want?" Mason's guard went up immediately.

Stella answered honestly, "He wants to take me to dinner."

"I'm coming too."

Stella knew Mason's temperament—if she didn't let him come, he'd make a fuss. So she agreed. "Fine, go ahead. No one's stopping you."

Hearing her permission, Mason seemed almost incredulous. He'd expected her to refuse.

"Wife, I love you." Mason planted a loud kiss on Stella's cheek, the sound so exaggerated her eardrums rang.

Stella rolled her eyes at him. "Let go, I need to shower..."

Mason grinned wickedly, bending to scoop her up. "I'll join you..."

After their bathroom escapades, Stella was too exhausted to move.

Mason held her as she slept until sunset.

Only then did the two head to the address Sebastian had sent.

The private room door swung open. Sebastian looked up to see the couple entering side by side, a flash of displeasure crossing his gentle features.

Stella naturally caught the shift in his eyes but didn't shy away. She openly held Mason's hand and walked straight to the table to sit down.

"Sebastian, this is Mason. You met him before—he's my boyfriend."

Sebastian's fingers paused slightly. He nodded faintly without saying much, raising his hand to signal the waiter to serve.

Dishes were laid out one by one—all Stella's longtime favorites, every single one matching her tastes perfectly, down to small details others wouldn't remember.

The atmosphere remained quiet. Before long, Sebastian picked up a fresh shrimp, his movements natural and practiced, habitually preparing to peel it for Stella.

Stella's heart tightened when she saw this. She quickly tried to stop him—

But the man beside her moved faster, raising his hand to block Sebastian's motion, a faint chill settling over his dark eyes.

Stella's heart jumped in panic, afraid he'd make a scene. She immediately reached under the table, gently tugging at his sleeve to soothe him.

Feeling the gentle pull at his palm, Mason's tense jawline relaxed slightly. He forcibly suppressed the possessiveness churning inside and looked at Sebastian, speaking slowly, "In the past, Stella had no one to truly care for her. I'm grateful for Mr. Hearst's attention."

"But things are different now. I'm her lover, and from now on, all the little things in her life won't require your trouble."

With that, he picked up a whole shrimp himself.

The man who usually commanded power, made decisive kills, and never dirtied his hands with trivial matters—his shrimp-peeling was exceptionally clumsy.

The shell came off along with chunks of tender meat, leaving the shrimp mangled and ugly.

But he showed no impatience, trying again and again with care, his gaze never leaving Stella, eyes full of undisguised adoration.

He placed each piece of the mangled shrimp meat into Stella's bowl, his tone serious yet stubborn, like a child seeking praise, promising softly, "From now on, whenever you want shrimp, I'll peel it. You won't need to trouble anyone else."

Watching him jealously compete yet clumsily try to please her, Stella's heart warmed. She couldn't help but smile, a gentle curve forming on her lips.

She lowered her head and quietly ate every single piece of shrimp he'd peeled for her, leaving none behind.

Across from them, Sebastian watched the sweet scene unfold as if he didn't exist. His fingers clenched tightly. He remained silent throughout, eyes filled with loneliness, ultimately saying nothing.

Stella could tell Sebastian had something he wanted to say to her alone but couldn't with Mason present.

After thinking for a moment, she looked up at the still-jealous man beside her, softening her voice. "I want strawberry cake from the dessert shop next door. Would you go buy me one?"

Mason instantly understood her intention—she wanted to send him away to talk privately with Sebastian.

His heart felt stifled, thoroughly unwilling. His possessiveness made him not want to leave Stella's side for even a moment, much less leave her alone with another man.

But looking into the girl's gentle eyes, all his grievances and stubbornness melted away. No amount of jealousy could withstand her simple request.

He reached out to gently ruffle her hair, leaning close to her ear and lowering his voice with a hint of complaint, "I'll be right back. Don't chat too much with him—just wait for me obediently."

After giving his instructions, Mason reluctantly rose and left the private room.

The heavy door closed behind him, shutting out the noise from outside.

Stella looked at the dejected Sebastian. "Sebastian, what did you want to tell me?"