When Love Comes Late

She was equally shocked by the connection between her and the Lowells.

“Kori,” Bella murmured, her voice barely audible as she stared at the floor.

“That name keeps coming back to me.

I only know his name, but I’ve never seen his face clearly.

Is he really part of the Lowell family?”

The name sent a sharp pang through her heart, deepening her resolve to reclaim her lost memories.

She didn’t want to live in this fog any longer.

Stella noticed Bella’s silence, her worry growing with each passing second.

She reached out and gently took Bella’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Mom, I know this is hard, but don’t push yourself too much.

Focus on getting better first.

Our memories have been gone for so long; they won’t just come back overnight.

We need to be patient and take this one step at a time.

”

Bella nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and lingering uncertainty.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Matthew stepped in.

The room fell silent as Bella and Stella turned their attention to him.

Matthew’s expression grew serious, and Stella was confused.

“What did you talk to them about?”

Matthew, lost in his own thoughts, was jolted back to the present by the sound of her voice.

To prevent her from getting worked up, he sidestepped her question with a nonchalant shrug, saying, “Nothing much, just small talk.

”

He then quickly steered the conversation away.

“I’ve arranged for a paternity test.

As soon as I have the results, you’ll be the first to know.

”

Stella hesitated, shaking her head gently.

“There’s no need to rush.

Honestly, we can take our time.

”

She figured that the results were probably already clear since Bennett had brought the two elders.

Suggesting another paternity test was just a way to buy herself some breathing room, just to cushion the blow.

After all, everything was unfolding so suddenly, and she was struggling to come to terms with the idea of suddenly having so many relatives.

But her thoughts were soon overtaken by a more pressing concern.

Turning to Matthew, she asked, “Who was behind this?”

Matthew didn’t sugarcoat it.

“It was Joann.

”

No sooner had he spoken than a clamor erupted from outside the hospital room.

“Matthew Clark! Get out of here! Why did you have someone pull my company’s project? And where have you hidden my sister?”

Felix’s angry voice boomed from the hallway.

“Matthew, stop hiding! Get out here and explain yourself!”

Stella’s expression hardened at the sound of Felix’s voice, and Matthew’s brow furrowed.

Rising to his feet, Matthew said, “Stay put.

I’ll go handle this.

”

But before he could leave, the door swung open.

Felix stormed in, flanked by a group of people, with Matthew’s bodyguards on his heels, trying vainly to restrain him.