When Love Comes Late

The nurse paused in thought before replying, “He left.

”

“He Left?” Stella slumped on the floor, her expression vacant.

Her mind entered a foggy state, rendering her unable to think clearly.

Cold sweat covered her back, and an overwhelming panic gripped her heart, causing tears to stream down her face.

“Miss? Are you alright?” The nurse’s voice quivered as she held Stella.

Stella felt like she was in a daze, her ears ringing so loudly that she couldn’t hear properly.

It took considerable effort from the nurse to guide her to a chair.

Softly, the nurse called out, “Miss…”

Slowly, Stella began to regain consciousness.

She turned to the nurse, her lips trembling.

“What did you just say? Matthew… He’s gone?”

She choked on her words, tears welling up once again.

The nurse realized the misunderstanding and quickly clarified, “I didn’t mean that.

When I came back from my rounds, I found that he had left, not that he had passed away.

”

“He’s alive?” Stella’s voice trembled with hope.

The nurse nodded, about to say more when Stella’s phone rang.

Seeing Matthew’s name on the screen, she hurriedly answered it.

“Matthew…” Stella called out anxiously.

On the other end of the line, Matthew sounded equally anxious and panicked.

“Where are you?”

He nearly lost his mind when he got home and couldn’t find her.

“It’s my fault for what happened tonight.

I shouldn’t have kept anything from you.

I’m sorry,” he apologized repeatedly.

Tears welled up in Stella’s eyes.

She bit her lip, afraid that her emotions would get the best of her.

“Stella, I’m sorry.

I won’t lie to you anymore.

Where are you now?”

Matthew asked.

“I…” Stella sobbed.

“I’m at the hospital.

I thought something had happened to you…” Her voice choked with sorrow.