When Love Comes Late by PASSION

Chapter 2507

The night before their departure, Stella kept a solitary vigil by Matthews bedside in the hospital.

Out of the blue, her phone rang, flashing an unfamiliar number.

Intrigued, Stella answered.

Silence hung on the line after she connected, sending a shiver down her spine as she suspected it might be Sanford.

Sure enough, the silence was broken by a familiar voice, its low tones slicing through the quiet.

Stella, I know Matthew hasnt woken up yet.

I want to send my doctors over-maybe they can find a way to wake him up sooner.

Predictably, Stella rebuffed his offer.

She felt a complex brew of emotions toward Sanford, thinking they might have been friends if his lineage hadnt cast such a long shadow.

Sensing her coolness, Sanford quickly apologized.

Stella, Im really sorry. He didnt mention how he had tried to stop Declan and make amends.

she asked, Were you really a student that my father sponsored? Sanford sighed, his

ruse to

hid my true identity right from

deny, the time I spent with your family taught

Im deeply thankful to

having suspected as much, pressed

was your real agenda? Was I always a target for Declan? Sanfords

rumored to have a treasure map, which

what Declan was after all

brow furrowed in

heard of

with a hint of

It doesnt matter now.

owe you more than I can ever

Im at your service, no strings

plan to step back and not interfere

him, Stellas emotions swirleda blend of

paths diverged at the castle, theres no debt

lead our separate

a prolonged silence before Sanford finally

Declan is dead.