Chapter 2163
When Love Comes Late
However, Lucia interjected, âYou two should indeed talk.
We are family, and itâs important to communicate openly.
Stella, please go to the garden with Lindsay.
â
Lucia then summoned a servant to assist her upstairs.
Left with no alternative, Stella resignedly agreed to accompany Lindsay.
With a seemingly innocent smile, Lindsay expressed her gratitude.
âThank you, Stella.
â
Stella gently guided Lindsay toward the back garden.
Unsure of what Lindsay intended to disclose, Stella chose a veil of silence.
It was just after midday; the household staff bustled in the kitchen and the living room.
The gardeners, having tended to their morning duties, were absent, ensuring privacy for the impending confrontation.
Lindsay ventured cautiously, âIf Iâm correct, Matthew must have broached the topic of divorce with you, hasnât he?â
Stella halted, her gaze falling to Lindsay who wore an innocent smile, though her words carried a cutting edge.
âDo you know? On the flight back to Seamarsh, he vowed to care for me for the rest of his life.
You must realize the implications of that promise.
â
A flicker of pain crossed Stellaâs features as she wrestled with her emotions, striving to maintain composure.
âThe Clark family will find someone to heal your legs.
â
âWhat if my legs canât be healed?â Lindsayâs voice rose.
âIâve saved Matthew before, and now, Iâve shattered my legs to protect him again.
How can you continue to live with him and bear his children without a shadow of guilt?â
Lindsay didnât pause for a reply, her tone sharpening.
âEven if you shamelessly cling to him, I doubt heâll accept it.
â
Stellaâs demeanor crumbled; her body shook with suppressed rage.
Through clenched teeth, she demanded, âWhat exactly do you want from me?â
Pleased with Stellaâs agitation, Lindsay declared triumphantly, âI advise you to come to your senses and seek a divorce swiftly, lest you find yourself the sole subject of ridicule.
â
Stella inhaled deeply, steeling herself against Lindsayâs deliberate provocations.
Determined not to succumb to her manipulations, she steeled her resolve.
With a forced calm, Stella responded in a tone that was neither submissive nor aggressive, âWhat I share with him is love, genuine and profound.
His feelings for you are merely gratitude.
We will find other ways to repay you as a couple, but we will never compromise our marriage.
â
Lindsay, dismissing Stellaâs words with a dismissive smirk, taunted, âAre you certain he still harbors love for you?â
Memories of Matthewâs icy gaze since his return flooded Stellaâs mind.
In his eyes, she found no traces of affection-only alienation.
Her fingers clenched, betraying her unease; her expression subtly shifted.