When Love Comes Late by PASSION

Just as she finished, Neville’s voice came from the other end.

He joked, “Just for tonight, set yourselves free.

You’re getting married tomorrow.

You’ll have plenty of time to be together in the future.

”

Even though she wasn’t there, Stella felt like there were a thousand eyes on her.

She was too embarrassed to look up.

Quickly, she told Matthew, “Go back to your friends.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

”

As she was about to hang up, Matthew suddenly said, “Honey, I love you.

”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat.

those words from Matthew many times, but

was her wedding day, and all her emotions were

sweetly, “I

”

living room was quiet, except for her

couldn’t help but

she soon drifted off to

finding no rest in

a chaotic montage-a car crash, a glimpse of Bella,

celebrated with joyous chatter

like a dance under their shared blessings, until the scene twisted suddenly, Matthew falling and lying in a pool of blood, and guests scattering

as Stella jolted awake, eyes wide and searching in

light blurred the line between dreams and reality, fear gripping her like unseen claws

to discern where the dream ended and

air, the knock on the door a stark interruption to her tumultuous thoughts, soon joined by the cheerful

curtains parted like a grand reveal, forcing Stella to shield her eyes from its

as she took in Stella’s distressed appearance, her own demeanor shifting to concern in

the sweat from her brow, concern evident in

“Was it a nightmare?”

wandering to the window where the first light of

marked her union with Matthew, a day of joy and promises, yet that haunting