When Love Comes Late

Stella struggled to find the words to explain to Lucia.

Admitting her reluctance would let everyone down.

Waldo’s brow furrowed as he turned to Matthew, his voice tinged with accusation.

“How can she be indifferent to a wedding? Did you overlook something last time, or perhaps not make her feel secure enough? Is that why she’s hesitant to do it again?”

Matthew remained silent.

Unable to watch Matthew take the blame, Stella quickly interjected, “Waldo, you’ve got it all wrong.

It’s not his fault.

It’s on me.

”

Waldo remarked, “There’s no need to speak on his behalf.

He’s always engulfed in work.

Perhaps he didn’t put in enough effort on the wedding preparations last time, leaving you disappointed.

”

Stella hastened to clarify, “No, that’s not it at all.

We were both deeply invested in preparing for the wedding last time, but what happened during the ceremony has cast a long shadow over me.

I’m genuinely concerned.

”

Hearing this, Waldo remained silent.

Lucia’s expression turned grim as well.

It was evident that the memory of the horrible event had affected everyone, their faces momentarily clouded with sorrow.

Even after all this time, bringing up anything related to Benny still enveloped the Clark family in a veil of grief.

Stella chimed in, “Matthew and I have been married for some time now.

The ceremony is merely a formality.

What truly matters is our bond.

”

She then grasped Matthew’s hand, adding, “So, the wedding itself is insignificant to me.

”

Lucia seemed to disagree but hesitated, searching for the right words.

Matthew declared, “I admit, I wasn’t completely ready before, which allowed someone to exploit the situation.

I plan to arrange a new, even more magnificent wedding.

”

At this, Stella began to object.

Matthew gripped her hand firmly and declared, “The more something frightens us, the more essential it is to confront it.

This wedding will be flawless.

You deserve every happiness.

There’s no reason for you to suffer any injustice.

”

Stella, seeing his determination, chose not to protest further.

“We should take our time with this decision.

We’ll discuss it later,”

Byron suggested, deferring the topic.

Laughter soon returned to the table, lightening the atmosphere.

Matthew and Sanford exchanged knowing glances across the table.

At that moment, Waldo’s curiosity was piqued by Sanford’s unfamiliar face.

“Who is this?” he inquired.

Byron explained, “This is Sanford, a young man Kori once sponsored.

We’ve maintained a relationship over the years.

He now partners with Bennett in a business, and I’ve come to regard him as my own grandson.

Sanford, meet Mr.

Waldo Clark.

”

Sanford greeted Waldo courteously, and then steered the conversation in a new direction.

“Actually, I’m here today to explore a potential collaboration with Stella.

”