When Love Comes Late

He checked his watch, his tone impatient as he added, “I don’t have time for this.

Get out of the car.

The bodyguard will take you home.

”

A bitter sadness surged within Stella.

She looked at Matthew, searching his face for any sign of the man she once knew.

Then, with each word carefully measured, she asked, “Matthew, is this really what you want? Do you truly want to end our marriage?”

Matthew opened his mouth to reply, but as their eyes met, something flickered in his gaze, and for a brief moment, his resolve seemed to waver.

Matthew turned his gaze to the side, fighting back the uneasy feeling gnawing at him.

His voice was steady, though it carried a hint of finality.

“I’ve already said what needed to be said.

Think about it.

Dragging this out will only make things worse.

”

Stella’s heart squeezed painfully, but she refused to believe this was the whole truth.

She knew Matthew better than that.

Even if he no longer loved her and wanted a divorce, he wouldn’t be so cold.

Most importantly, she trusted in their love for each other.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the bitterness that threatened to spill over.

“Okay, I’ll think it over,” she said, her tone softer now.

She reached for the door handle, ready to step out of the car.

But just as she was about to leave, Matthew’s voice broke through the tension.

“Wait!”

Stella was elated, turning to face Matthew with a hopeful gaze.

She wondered if he had reconsidered.

Did he want to confess the truth and retract the divorce proposal?

Trying to steady her nerves, she ventured, “What’s up?”

Matthew paused, unsure of himself.

As Stella moved to leave a moment ago, a strange feeling surged in his heart, causing him to involuntarily halt her in her tracks.

Yet, he grappled with what to say next.

What could he possibly articulate at such a moment?

After battling a wave of emotions and a severe headache, Matthew masked his feelings with a facade of indifference.

He finally spoke.

“The Prosper Bay villa is yours.

You don’t need to leave.

”

Stella had hoped for a moment of truth, but his words dashed those hopes.

She managed a forced smile and stifled the growing sorrow.

“OK.

”

With that, she stepped out of the car, her resolve firm.

Matthew watched her leave, and then decisively drove off.

Moments later, a bodyguard pulled up beside Stella, stepping out to open the door for her.

As she watched Matthew’s car fade into the distance, Stella turned away, her heart heavy.