When Love Comes Late

Seeing that she had accomplished what she wanted, Lindsay decided not to push further.

She looked at Matthew with a pitiful expression and said, “Matthew, I’m feeling a bit tired.

I’ll visit Grandma another day.

If it’s not convenient for you, could you ask the bodyguard to help me back home?”

Matthew’s face remained expressionless, but his tone softened as he said, “It’s fine.

I’ll take you home.

”

Hearing this, Stella finally came back to her senses.

She instinctively grabbed his hand, looking at him with hopeful eyes.

“Let someone else handle it.

Aren’t you going to tell us what’s been happening these days?”

At Stella’s words, Matthew spun around to face her, his gaze piercing and unyielding.

Their eyes met in a taut silence.

Stella caught the sharp flicker of impatience in Matthew’s eyes, a clear sign of his growing frustration.

A jolt of fear and hurt surged through Stella.

For a moment, it was as if Matthew had turned into someone she didn’t recognize, a total stranger.

Lindsay, watching the scene unfold, was visibly anxious.

Fearing something might go wrong, she quickly intervened to break the mounting silence.

Putting on a facade of vulnerability, she said, “If Stella wants you to stay, then do so.

Don’t worry about me.

Just have the bodyguard take me home.

”

As she spoke, she subtly tugged at Betsey’s sleeve, signaling her to step in.

Betsey, catching the hint, responded with a biting edge, “You’re already showing reluctance to take Lindsay home.

With such an attitude, I doubt the Clark family will assume any responsibility.

How enlightening.

”

Lucia and Waldo exchanged glances of disapproval but remained silent, unsure of how to navigate the situation.

Stella disregarded Betsey’s harsh words entirely and stubbornly held onto Matthew’s hand, her eyes brimming with a potent mix of bitterness and determination.

She couldn’t believe Matthew would truly abandon her or that he could be so heartless.

Yet, in the next moment, his face remained expressionless as he jerked his hand away from hers with unfeeling finality.

“Don’t be unreasonable.

”

His voice was icy, dripping with impatience and a lack of empathy for Stella.

Stella’s hand fell listlessly to her side, as if all the life had been drained from it.

She stood there, rooted and stunned.

Waldo and Lucia looked on, their concern growing as they saw Stella’s distress.

They instinctively wanted to step in and stop Matthew from leaving.

Before they could react, Matthew said, “Grandpa, Grandma, I’ll take Lindsay home and come back.

”

In shock, Waldo and Lucia could only nod, their expressions blank and lost.

Matthew pushed Lindsay’s wheelchair as they departed, followed by Betsey, and the corridor fell into a deep silence.

Lucia’s gaze softened with pity as she placed a comforting hand on Stella’s arm.

“Try not to be too upset.

Matthew’s reaction is probably because this has hit him hard.

We’ll make sure he sees things differently when he returns.

”

Waldo spoke with a steady voice, full of reassurance.

“Don’t worry.

If no doctor in Seamarsh can treat Lindsay’s legs, I’ll arrange for specialists from elsewhere.

I won’t let this problem affect you and Matthew.

”