Hot Shower, Cold Heart by Mark Twain 25
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
These past few weeks, Leah’s condition kept getting worse, then better, then worse again. Stellan was exhausted.
He hadn’t had a chance to go see Ella.
He knew she resented him.
He knew getting her to forgive him wouldn’t be easy.
But he figured it was just a matter of time.
After all, Ella loved him. She wouldn’t leave him.
Ten years together-Stellan was confident about that.
But when Leah finally stabilized and he went to Ella’s place, his hands shook as he reached for the door.
The fingerprint lock didn’t work.
He froze. Then knocked.
“Ella, it’s me.”
“I know you’re still mad. Just… give me a chance, okay?”
The door opened.
Relief flooded through him.
“Who are you?”
A stranger-a young woman-poked her head out, eyeing him suspiciously.
Stellan blinked. He stepped back and double-checked the apartinent number.
Panic clawed at his chest. He forced himself to stay calm.
“Hi. Do you know where the person who used to live here went?”
The woman relaxed slightly. “Oh, you mean the previous owner?”
09:57
Hot Shower. Cold Heart: How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
20.5%
Chapter 6
“She sold us the place and left. No idea where she went.”
“Said something about moving to a different city.”
His worst fear confirmed.
“Did she say which city?”
She shook her head.
Stellan stumbled back to his apartment in a daze.
Leah bounced over to him the second he walked in.
“Stellan! You’re finally back!”
“I’ve been waiting forever. Where were you?”
Stellan looked at the bright, bubbly girl in front of him-and felt nothing.
He used to think Ella was too independent, too serious, too quiet.
That Leah’s cheerfulness was what got him through the day.
Now, watching Leah smile at him, he felt… empty.
All he could think about was Ella.
“I went to see your sister.”
Leah’s eyes flickered at the word *sister*.
She asked carefully, “What did she say? Did she forgive me?”
Her eyes welled up. “I’m worried she’s still upset about… what happened between us.”
“Is she mad at you?”
“I know I’ve been a lot to deal with lately. Knowing Ella, she’s probably not over it yet.”
“Should I go apologize to her?”
Stellan waved her off weakly, his voice hollow.
“No… don’t bother.”
How Water Temperature Exposed My Military Husband’s Affair
20.7%
Chapter 6
Leah’s heart skipped. She twisted the hem of her skirt nervously.
“What’s wrong?”
“Stellan, did I cause trouble for you?”
Stellan took a deep breath. He felt like he didn’t even have the energy to answer.
“Ella’s gone.”
Leah’s eyes widened. She fought to keep the joy off her face. “Gone? Where?”
Stellan’s eyes turned red. Tears blurred his vision.
“She left. Didn’t leave me a word.”
“Ella… she…”
His voice cracked. “She doesn’t want me anymore.”
The emotions he’d been holding back finally broke through. He covered his face and sobbed-loud, raw,
uncontrollable.
There was regret in those sobs. Grief.
And desperation.
He could search for her. Track her down.
But Ella’s love? That was gone forever.
He’d always thought of Ella like water-plain, unremarkable, always just *there*.
Only now, losing her, did he realize she’d become part of him. Inseparable.
Leah watched the man in front of her fall apart-and felt a thrill she couldn’t suppress. Her hands trembled with
excitement.
*Ella was finally gone.*
That woman who’d always overshadowed her, who held the title of “sister” but treated her like a burden-she was out of their lives for good.
From now on, Stellan would only have eyes for *her*.
20.9%
Joseph King is an editor and storyteller who ensures every chapter is clear, polished, and engaging for readers.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel For Fast Update Or More Novels: 
Join Our WhatsApp Channel For Fast Update Or More Novels: