When Love Comes Late

Neville’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

“Try not to worry too much,” he urged gently.

“At least we know Matthew is still out there, somewhere.

That’s something.

ALL we can do now is wait for them to contact us.

”

Stella nodded, though the gesture felt hollow.

Waiting was the last thing she wanted to do, but it was also the only thing she could do.

Three days dragged by like a never-ending nightmare.

Stella’s phone remained hauntingly silent, each passing hour a reminder of the absence of news about Matthew.

Even the authorities seemed to be sweeping the situation under the rug, desperate to maintain the fragile facade of social stability.

These three days had been nothing short of torment for Stella.

She barely ate, her appetite was non-existent, and sleep was a Luxury her racing mind refused to grant her.

Dark circles etched themselves beneath her eyes, and her once-vibrant appearance had faded into a shadow of its former self.

As always, Fernando delivered his daily report on the search for Matthew, and as always, the outcome was the same-there was still no sign of Matthew.

Stella’s heart, once ablaze with anxiety, had now turned cold and numb.

Fernando’s concern deepened as he observed Stella’s deteriorating state.

He finally spoke up, his tone gentle but firm.

“Mrs.

Clark, why don’t you go back home? The waiting game… it’s taking its toll on you.

”

Stella’s eyes, dull and lifeless, suddenly became firm with determination.

“I’ll stay here until I find Matthew.

”

Worry furrowed Fernando’s brow.

“But Mrs.

Clark, with both you and Mr.

Clark gone from Seamarsh, his grandparents are bound to notice.

Considering their old age, your presence could ease their worries.

There’s nothing more we can do here at the moment.

Let us handle things while you return.

”

But again, Stella refused.

She rose slowly, her body heavy with exhaustion, and moved to the window.

The street outside was barren, mirroring the emptiness she felt inside.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, “I can’t leave… I need to wait for him… I have to wait for him…”

But before she could finish, the world around her spun, and in an instant, everything went black as she collapsed to the floor.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of a private hospital, Lindsay slowly awoke.

Her eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sterile white ceiling above.

The faint smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, and the unfamiliar surroundings made her feel disoriented.

For a moment, everything seemed distant, like a fading dream.

Instinctively, she tried to move, but a sharp, searing pain shot through her leg, pulling her back to reality.

A soft, pained gasp escaped her Lips as she winced.

A nurse, busy with her duties, heard the sound and quickly turned around.

Seeing Lindsay awake, the nurse approached her bedside and spoke with a kind but concerned voice.

“Ma’am, you’re in the hospital.

You’ve broken your leg, so please try not to move.

”

Lindsay blinked, the nurse’s words sinking in slowly.

“H-hospital?” she stammered in disbelief.

“My leg is broken?”

The nurse nodded and sighed heavily.

“Yes, you’re lucky it’s just a broken leg, but… your boyfriend’s in worse shape.

He’s in the next room, still unconscious.

”

Boyfriend?

Lindsay was caught off guard for a moment.

Then, her mind slowly started to sharpen.

She quickly realized that the boyfriend the nurse was referring to could be Matthew.

After all, she had been with him just before the accident.