When Love Comes Late

Trying to identify the voices and their words proved futile; her head buzzed too intensely to make sense of anything.

Opening her eyes was a challenge.

The harsh overhead light made her squint.

After a moment, her eyes adjusted to the glaring brightness.

A fierce pounding in her head suggested she had drunk too much; the relentless pain was a stark reminder.

That vodka had nearly knocked her out, and the sting from the glass cut in her palm was a painful testament to her ordeal.

Sanford noticed Stella stirring on the bed, so he ended his phone call and approached with a glass of warm water.

“Hey, drink some water,” he said gently, guiding the straw to her lips.

Seeing Sanford helped Stella recall the events in the private room.

She remembered Jack attempting to assault her.

She had resisted fiercely, using a glass shard for defense.

Sanford had arrived shortly after.

She dimly recalled him lifting her from the floor, but the details beyond that were hazy.

Stella took a few sips of water, which soothed the burning in her throat.

She then managed to ask weakly, “How did you end up there?”

Sanford met her gaze and explained, “I wanted to talk about launching your brand, but couldn’t reach you by phone, so I asked your assistant.

She told me you were at the White Horse Club, so I came over.

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Stella nodded, accepting his explanation.

Anxiety quickly replaced her calm as she urgently asked, “What about Jack? Is he… is he dead?”

Her voice shook with each word.

Sanford responded with calm assurance, “He’s not dead; he’s in the hospital.

But even if he were, you defended yourself-it wouldn’t be a crime.

Don’t worry.

”

Relieved that Jack was still alive, Stella looked at Sanford with deep gratitude.

“Thank you for getting there when you did.

I can’t even think about what might have happened if you hadn’t.

”

As she finished speaking, a wave of sadness washed over her.

In the past, Matthew was always the first to arrive when the unexpected occurred.

Even when she was trapped in that private room, part of her had hoped he would burst in and rescue her as he once did.

But that was merely wishful thinking.

He was likely with Lindsay now…

Her thoughts wandered to Robin’s words.

If she told Matthew that the Wheeler family was after her, would he believe her? Or would he try to maintain peace for Lindsay’s sake?

These thoughts weighed heavily on her, filling her with a mix of heartache and exhaustion.