When Love Comes Late

Stella pursed her lips, lost in deep contemplation.

Sanford shook his head in resignation and said, “Matthew has left.

Do you want to stay, or should I drive you back?”

Stella wanted to leave, but she was reluctant to have him drive her home.

As she pondered how to decline, Josh suddenly approached.

He looked visibly anxious.

Grasping Sanford’s hand, he said, “I’m sorry, Stella.

An urgent matter has come up.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I need to take Sanford away for a while.

Why don’t you find somewhere to sit for a bit?”

Without giving Sanford a chance to respond, Josh whisked him away.

Stella felt a sense of relief wash over her, grateful she didn’t have to reject Sanford’s offer herself.

Setting down her glass, she exited the banquet hall, craving some fresh air.

Just then, she heard Matthew’s voice from a nearby corner.

“How can you be sure it was her?”

Stella was taken aback.

It seemed Matthew hadn’t left yet.

Curious, she peeked around the corner and saw Matthew standing next to Lindsay, evidently waiting for Fernando to bring the car.

Stella paused, contemplating whether to turn back.

But at that moment, Lindsay’s voice reached her ears.

“He warned me to stay away from you when he left.

Apart from Stella, no one here would assert their position so boldly,” Lindsay said, her tone a mix of hesitation and grievance.

Stella’s heart skipped a beat.

What was going on? Had Lindsay just accused her of something significant?

Trying to gauge Matthew’s reaction, Stella stood on tiptoe, straining to catch a glimpse of how he would respond.

But Matthew was too tall, and from Stella’s awkward vantage point, she couldn’t see his face at all-only hear his voice.

In a deep, resonant tone, Matthew said, “Although I have forgotten about my past with Stella, she was chosen by my grandparents.

I am confident she is of good character.

”

Stella was confused.

For a moment, she was at a loss.

Should she dwell on Lindsay’s possible manipulation or be surprised that Matthew defended her?

Lindsay, with a dejected sigh, continued, “It’s not new that Stella dislikes me.

Since my return, she has been targeting me.

Just now, she had someone warn me to stay away from you.

Anyway, I’m disabled now.

I no longer pose any threat to her.

”

Matthew remained silent.

Lindsay pressed on, “If I truly annoy her so much, just send me away from Seamarsh.

My legs are useless.

If you expel me, I won’t be able to return.

Just leave me be; you don’t have to concern yourself with me at all.

”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

“If I stay in Seamarsh, I might be pushed down by Stella, threatened, or have water splashed on me.

Who knows what might happen?”

Stella’s frown deepened as she listened.