Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 26

Luna spoke gently, trying to soothe her. "It's going to be all right, Chloe. I'll go with you to the hospital."

Still, this new evidence couldn't have come at a better time.

—

Stepping out of the coffee shop, Sunny squinted up at the blazing sun, hoping to flag down a cab. She waited on the curb for what felt like ages, but every taxi that passed was already occupied.

Her clothes were a mess, her dress splattered with coffee stains—her purse hadn't been spared either. Frustrated, she fumbled for her phone, ready to call for a ride. The sun beat down on her neck, making it sting even more.

A sharp beep cut through her thoughts.

Sunny looked up to see a sleek black Maybach idling beside her. The window rolled down, and Stellan's dark eyes narrowed as he took in her disheveled appearance. "Who did this to you?" he asked, his voice low and steely.

Sunny hadn't expected to run into Tristan's Uncle Stellan here of all places.

"Uncle Stellan, I…"

"Get in," Stellan interrupted curtly. "I'll take you to the hospital."

She shook her head quickly. "It's all right, Uncle Stellan. I just need to stop by a pharmacy for some burn ointment."

"Get in," he repeated, his tone brooking no argument.

Sunny bit her lip, resigned. "All right. Thank you, Uncle Stellan. Sorry for the trouble."

Just then, Luna and Chloe exited the café. Luna's gaze fell on a familiar license plate—NY A88888. She recognized Stellan's car instantly.

"Luna, what are you staring at? Hurry up and call your driver so we can get to the hospital!" Chloe urged.

Luna tore her eyes away, brushing it off as a coincidence. "Right, Chloe. I'll call him now."

—

Inside the car, Stellan sat in the back seat beside Sunny, his eyes fixed on the angry red burn on her neck. His brows furrowed. "Does it hurt?"

Sunny hadn't felt too bad until he asked. Now, under his concerned gaze, the burn seemed to throb even more. "It's not too bad. Just stings a little."

"If I pick up some ointment and use it for a couple of days, I should be fine," she added, trying to sound casual.

But she could swear Stellan's expression darkened even more.

Sunny felt his gentle touch, and somehow, it only made her feel worse.

Stellan looked down at her, concern etched in every line of his face. "Let me see—lift your chin. Is it blistering? I'm sorry for my tone earlier. I just saw how red it was—if it's blistered, you need proper treatment."

He waited for a response, but instead, he heard the faint, broken sound of her crying—soft, shaky, almost feline.

She was crying?

Something twisted painfully in Stellan's chest.

"Don't cry, Sunny. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

He gently cupped her chin, lifting her face to his. Tear tracks streaked her cheeks, and his heart clenched with guilt.

He really was an idiot.

Once the tears started, they wouldn't stop. She trembled like a wounded kitten, sobbing in fits and starts.

Stellan produced a clean handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing her cheeks with tender care. He tried to coax a smile. "Come on, don't cry. Be good, Sunny. Or do you want me to spill something on myself so you can yell at me?"