When Love Comes Late

Slowly, she closed her eyes.

Sanford noticed Stella’s fatigue and spoke softly.

“Get some rest.

You’re safe here, and there are no reporters around.

”

Brought back to the present, Stella realized she should call Miley first.

She turned to Sanford, expressing her gratitude.

“You saved me, and I can’t thank you enough.

If there’s ever anything you need in the future, I’m here for you.

”

Sanford looked deeply into her eyes and responded earnestly, “You don’t need to thank me, nor worry about repaying me.

You don’t have to be on guard either.

Your dad once did me a great favor, and I’m committed to protecting you as long as I live.

”

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Stella blinked, startled by his intensity.

Sanford added, “I also owe you an apology.

If I made you uncomfortable earlier, it was only because I wanted to test how much Matthew really cares about you.

I just can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.

”

Hearing Sanford’s words, Stella’s uncertainty about him intensified.

Yet, nothing specific she could point to justify her doubts.

After a brief pause, she posed a question with a cool detachment.

“Does everyone at Sanz Group change their minds so quickly?”

Sanford responded with a gentle laugh, reaching out instinctively to touch Stella’s face.

She quickly frowned and moved away.

Unperturbed, Sanford smoothly withdrew his hand, reminiscing.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

“I met you when you were just five, my first visit to a big city, overwhelmed by the sight of that grand villa.

”

He smiled warmly at the memory.

“You were on the lawn, and your father proudly introduced you as his little princess.

”

Stella absorbed his words in silence.

Her memories of her father were faint due to her memory loss.

“Your marriage to Matthew was orchestrated by the elders.

It began precariously, with scant genuine connection.

Marriage ought to foster joy, yet it’s apparent you’ve found little happiness.

”

He continued thoughtfully, “Your father’s deepest wish was for his daughter to live safely and joyously.

He’d be heartbroken to see his little princess endure so much anguish over a man.

”

Listening, Stella’s grasp of her father’s image grew slightly sharper.

The realization of her father’s deep affection for her stirred her deeply.

She struggled to contain her tears, her eyes reddening from the emotional weight.

Succumbing to recent burdens, she eventually broke down, crying uncontrollably.

She tried to dab away her tears, but they soon overwhelmed her, leading her to weep openly.

She had believed that she and Matthew had surmounted their gravest challenges, yet his recent memory loss, erasing their shared experiences, proved otherwise.

She had kept this pain hidden from her elders, shouldering her grief alone.

What value did her pain hold?