When Love Comes Late

Matthew said firmly, “I will do everything within my power to ensure everyone’s happiness.

”

Lucia faintly overheard the commotion outside when she noticed that both Waldo and Stella were missing.

Concerned and ignoring her own frailty, she pushed herself out of bed.

Leaning heavily on her cane, she shuffled out of her room to investigate the disturbance.

As she emerged, her eyes fell on Matthew standing by the door.

Startled, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Matthew?”

At the sound of her voice, Matthew spun around, his face softening.

“Grandma, why are you out here by yourself?” he asked gently.

Tears welled up in Lucia’s eyes as she hurried over to him, her voice shaky with emotion.

“You’re alright… Oh, I’m so relieved,” she managed to say, her relief palpable.

Matthew quickly reassured her, “I’m fine, Grandma.

I’m back now, safe and sound.

”

Lucia nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face.

“Waldo, Stella, and I-we were all so worried about you.

You…”

‘s BunnyBookery

But her words trailed off as she suddenly noticed Lindsay in a wheelchair next to Matthew.

Having been like a grandmother to Lindsay, Lucia’s concern immediately shifted.

“Lindsay, what happened to you?” she asked, her worry intensifying.

Lindsay looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, as if she wanted to explain but hesitated.

After a moment, she simply looked toward Matthew, remaining silent.

Puzzled and growing more anxious, Lucia pressed for answers.

“What happened?”

Betsey, standing to the side, called out, “Mrs.

Clark, you need to set things right for Lindsay.

”

Lucia, frowning, remained silent, anticipating Betsey’s next words.

Betsey went on, “Even though Matthew is your grandson, you raised Lindsay too.

How can you stand to see her disabled and scorned for life?”

“Disabled?” Lucia echoed, her disbelief evident.

She had braced herself for news of Lindsay’s injury, not a permanent disability.

Something didn’t add up.

What did Matthew have to do with this?

Casting a quick glance at Matthew, and then back at Lindsay, Lucia asked in a gentle tone, “What exactly happened? Are the doctors certain she won’t recover?”

Lindsay hadn’t explained why she was hurt.

Instead, she just wept, her eyes swollen and red, her silence speaking volumes about her Life -altering fate in a wheelchair.

Betsey observed this with sharp clarity and spoke up immediately.

“Lindsay’s disability came from trying to save Matthew.

Saying you’ll be responsible isn’t enough.

We need concrete actions!”

Lucia and Waldo exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Seeing their reaction, Betsey exclaimed, “Lindsay, my dear child, you’ve sacrificed everything for someone else… I’m so devastated for you…”

Her tears weighed heavily on the Clark family, leaving them at a loss for what to do.

Once Betsey’s sobbing subsided, she turned her focus to Stella with a chilling tone.

“You! You’re Matthew’s wife.

It’s time you take a stand!”

Waldo and Lucia turned toward Stella, ready to defend her from Betsey’s harsh words, but Stella was quicker.

Holding back her own grief, Stella responded with a steady voice, “This was unforeseen, and we need time to process it.

Moreover, Matthew has already committed to taking responsibility.

Please, rest assured that Lindsay will be cared for.

”

Her gaze then drifted toward Matthew unconsciously.

Matthew, overhearing her, frowned slightly, his expression turning sour.