When Love Comes Late

Matthew had promised he would return to her, that they would be together soon.

“Stella? Stella, are you there?” Miley’s voice, thick with worry, finally broke through the haze.

Stella blinked, forcing herself to focus.

“I’m here,” she answered, her voice shaky.

Desperation clawed at her as she was about to call for a servant to turn on the TV, her thoughts racing to check the latest news.

But before she could speak, a voice rang out behind her.

“Stella, what’s going on? What’s taking you so long?” Lucia approached, clearly puzzled by Stella’s delay.

For a moment, Stella was lost, her mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion.

But the sight of Lucia brought her back to reality.

She couldn’t let Lucia worry-especially not when she didn’t know all the details.

Taking a deep breath, Stella forced the panic down, willing herself to stay composed.

She shook her head slightly at Lucia, offering a tight smile to reassure her.

Then, she spoke into the phone with newfound resolve.

“I’m at Lucia’s house right now.

I’ll reach out to Fernando and see what he knows.

We’ll keep in touch, Miley.

I’ll call you later.

”

“Okay.

”

As Stella ended the call, the thought of food made her stomach turn.

She glanced at Lucia with an apologetic expression.

“Lucia, I’m so sorry, but there’s an emergency at the studio.

I have to leave right away.

”

‘s BunnyBookery

Lucia’s eyes widened in concern.

“What happened? Why are you in such a rush?”

Not wanting to give herself away, Stella waved it off with a forced casual smile.

“The partners are just eager to finalize some design drafts.

No need to fret,” she said, her tone light, though a storm brewed beneath her calm exterior.

Relieved, Lucia exhaled softly.

“I’ll have the driver take you home,” she offered.

But Stella shook her head firmly.

“No need.

I can drive myself.

”

With that, she hurried out and rushed to her car, eager to check for news updates online.

The tragedy in Sothrea had already gripped the world, dominating headlines on every major news platform.

The situation was exactly as Miley had described, except now the death toll had risen-by one.

Stella’s eyes blurred as she scrolled through the grim details, her hand trembling against the cold, unfeeling glass of the screen.

She couldn’t afford to lose control now.

With a surge of determination, she dialed Fernando’s number.

No answer.

Panic clawed at her heart, and it was all she could do to keep telling herself that there was still hope, that Matthew was safe-he had to be.

But each unanswered call frayed her nerves further.

She dialed Lindsay, only to be met with the same, soul-crushing silence.