When Love Comes Late by PASSION

Upon hearing this, Sanford turned to Stella, looked at her for a moment, and suddenly moved his hand toward her hair.

However, before his fingers could touch it, his wrist was firmly seized by someone.

The three individuals at the table were briefly startled and instinctively glanced upward.

Matthew, standing behind Sanford, wore a stern expression.

He grasped Sanford’s wrist with a firm grip and pushed it away.

He sharply said, “Mr.

Quimby, show some decency.

Stella is married.

Publicly touching her is improper and could tarnish her reputation.”

Stella’s countenance shifted subtly upon seeing Matthew, her heart tightening with unease.

She struggled to comprehend Matthew’s intent.

..

Library

emphasizing his role as

the other hand,

casually rubbed his wrist and

a speck of lint in Stella’s hair and sought to

that jeopardize her

this, turned to Stella and indeed saw a minuscule

was nearly imperceptible unless scrutinized closely, highlighting

realization made

her

she expressed

“Thank you.

I was

expression tightened at the mention of “hospital,” his voice tinged with

“Are you unwell?”

somewhat ironic but primarily

Matthew had shown greater concern for her mother’s treatment than she did, yet now he seemed to have

loss would cause him

she was overestimating herself, and those memories held less importance for Matthew

the scene, finally accepted that

in to clarify, “It’s not Stella who needed