When Love Comes Late by PASSION

In less time than it took to blink, Matthew swiftly intervened, separating Nikolai from Stella.

Casting an irritated glare in Matthew’s direction, Nikolai straightened his collar and questioned, “Matthew, what’s gotten into you?”

With a stern countenance, Matthew held Stella close and warned, “Don’t lay a hand on my wife.

”

Nikolai couldn’t resist a playful jab.

Last time, you called her just a subordinate.

Now, she’s your wife?”

As he beheld Matthew’s helpless expression, Nikolai couldn’t help but revel in his small victory.

Sensing the tension, Stella gently tugged at Matthew’s sleeve in an effort to defuse the atmosphere.

“Are we here to try on wedding dresses, Matthew?”

‘s BunnyBookery

gaze from Nikolai to Stella,

and I have designed a wedding dress for

you give

just finished speaking when Nikolai astutely sent someone to retrieve

vision of elegance, adorned

white hemline cascaded to the floor, embellished with laces and hand-stitched

bathed the dress, making it shimmer

and was instantly transported in

envisioned herself in the dress, a long veil draping over her head,

you like it?” Matthew asked, his smile warming

jolted back to reality, looked up

wide and tear-filled, conveyed

found herself lost for

Stella had an epiphany.

Matthew returned late or disappeared

was buried in work, but now she realized he might have been secretly designing this

her voice

saying more would bring

said gentl ,