When Love Comes Late

Erin, sensing an undercurrent of distress in Stella’s demeanor, spoke with a gentler tone.

“Mrs.

Clark, you seem to have lost quite a bit of weight recently.

Mr.

Clark won’t be traveling for business anytime soon.

It might do you good to rest and nourish yourself properly.

”

Stella merely nodded, her voice soft.

“I understand.

Please, go on with your duties.

”

With a respectful nod, Erin withdrew silently.

When Matthew emerged from the kitchen and noticed Stella still lingering by the table, he urged, “Sit down and eat.

”

A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y

His voice, cool and distant, snapped Stella back to reality.

She glanced at him, heart heavy with the knowledge that he hadn’t regained his memory, and that their past sweetness was lost to them now.

With a quiet sigh, she took her seat and began to eat in silence.

The familiar flavors of the meal stirred memories, bringing tears to her eyes.

Yet, in Matthew’s presence, she restrained her emotions, eating mechanically, her gaze fixed on the plate.

Matthew sat across from her, observing her quietly.

Unaware of how long he had been watching, he suddenly spoke.

“I’m sorry.

” He paused, swallowing hard, and then said, “It was my fault last night.

”

At his words, a sob caught in Stella’s throat, her emotions threatening to spill over.

She kept her head bowed, too afraid to meet Matthew’s eyes, lest her tears betray her emotions.Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Once she had regained her composure, she simply nodded and murmured, “Alright.

”

Matthew sensed Stella’s melancholy but was at a loss to pinpoint its cause.

His thoughts drifted to Lindsay, suspecting she might be the reason for Stella’s gloom.

Eager to clear the air, he began, “In fact, Lindsay—”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat.

She cut him off sharply, “I’m sorry.

T don’t want to hear her name.

”

Silenced, Matthew retreated into quietude once more.

The rest of the meal passed in an oppressive silence.

Stella never imagined a day when she and Matthew would sit across from each other with nothing to say.

The thought alone was enough to make her stomach turn; despite the appealing food before her, she found herself without an appetite.

Yet, because Matthew had prepared the meal for her, she forced herself to eat, swallowing the sadness with each bite.