When Love Comes Late

His heart inexplicably began to thump faster.

The simple sound of her saying his name seemed to pull at his heartstrings.

He looked up, locking eyes with her directly.

Seeing him halfway through the bowl, Stella decided to break the Lingering silence.

Firmly holding his gaze, she declared, “I know everything.

I’ll be right here to help you find your memories, just as you were there for me when I needed to find my family.

”

Hearing her words, Matthew instantly became more alert.

His heart continued to beat rapidly, now fueled by a surge of clarity.

Once again, he realized he had lost his composure in front of Stella.

He detested the sensation of his consciousness slipping from his grasp.

Matthew quickly reclaimed his customary aloofness.

With a slight frown, he set the bowl aside and stated coolly, “No thanks.

It’s getting late.

You should head back now.

Let’s not do this again.

”

Under ordinary circumstances, if Stella had been oblivious to the truth, she would have felt crushed and sorrowful upon hearing Matthew’s dismissal.

She would have turned and left without a word.

But not today.

She grasped the nuances of his mood shifts, recognizing the deep-seated frustration and misery that came with his memory loss.

Therefore, she stayed put.

Stella walked around the desk and moved closer to Matthew.

They stood so near that the subtle scents they each carried mingled in the air between them.

Locking eyes with him, Stella persisted.

“When you were missing, I prayed relentlessly, night and day.

The only thing that mattered was your safe return.

Now that you’re here, even without your memories, I’m not frightened.

I’m here to face these challenges with you.

”

She then took his hand, their skin warming upon contact.

Continuing, she said, “Please, don’t let go of our marriage.

Once you recover your memories, everything will sort itself out.

With the advancements in medicine today, I’m confident there’s a way.

”

Matthew’s expression hardened as he gazed intently at the woman before him.

His gaze drifted from Stella’s face to their intertwined hands.

Suddenly, he felt a powerful urge.

Two conflicting voices echoed in his mind.

One whispered to him to draw her close, to embrace her and kiss her with fervor.

The other voice coldly urged him to pursue a divorce, labeling their marriage as emotionless and advising him to end it swiftly.