He glanced beyond Stella and brightened. “Ah, there he is.”
Turning, Stella’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Sanford.
Sanford, equally astonished, had not anticipated encountering Stella at the hospital.
Recovering quickly, Stella greeted him, “Sanford, so good to see you. Is this distinguished gentleman your grandfather?”
Recalling Bennett’s remarks about Sanford’s modest circumstances and her father’s financial aid for Sanford’s studies, she found the presence of a personal driver curious.
Sanford’s grandfather’s apparent means stood in stark contrast to the story of dependency she had heard.
With a scrutinizing look, Stella examined Sanford more closely.
Sanford was visibly unsettled, wrestling with the uncertainty of what Declan and Stella might have shared. His anxiety about potentially being unmasked silenced him.
Observing Sanford’s sudden reticence, Declan let out a warm chuckle and began to explain, “You see, he’s not my biological grandson. I’m just a lone elder with no kin of my own. It was during an asthma attack at a bustling auction a few years back that I first crossed paths with Sanford. He stood out as a genuinely honorable young man, and since then, I’ve thought of him as a grandson who occasionally helps look after me.”
Stella’s previous suspicions about Sanford faded, replaced by a slight remorse for having doubted his integrity.
She offered a sheepish smile and replied, “I understand now. Sanford never mentioned this, and I nearly misjudged him.”
Playing the innocent, Declan inquired with a twinkle in his eye, “Oh? So, you two are familiar with each other?”
Stella nodded. “Yes, we’re friends. He’s remarkably talented in design, and our collaboration on several projects has allowed us to build a strong rapport.”
Declan’s eyes crinkled with mirth as he said, “Ah, so you’re the Stella that Sanford speaks so highly of.”
Stella was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Declan to say something like that so abruptly.
Sanford quickly stepped in, his tone carrying a hint of irritation as he addressed Declan. “Pease stop.”
Declan chuckled lightly. “What’s wrong? Are you shy? If you keep pursuing her so timidly, when will you ever win her over?”
Stella waved her hands hastily, her voice tinged with urgency. “I’m sorry, but you’ve misunderstood. I’m already married. Sanford and I are just friends.”
Declan’s expression shifted noticeably. The hope in his eyes dimmed, leaving behind a shadow of disappointment, as if his expectations had been dashed in an instant.
An overwhelming sense of awkwardness settled over Stella, the air around her feeling thick and suffocating. She wished she could vanish on the spot.
Breaking the tense silence, she managed to say, “Well. I should get going. Please take care.”
Declan spoke up quickly, his voice tinged with sincerity. “Miss, you’ve been a great help today. I’d like to invite you to dinner as a token of gratitude and to apologize for my earlier remarks.”
Stella gave him a polite smile and declined graciously, saying, “There’s no need. You’re far too kind. It was just a small favor, and I have some matters to attend to, so I really must go.”
Declan seemed ready to press further, but Sanford interjected before he could.