She stepped between them and said, “I appreciate you bringing my phone, Sanford. I’m not hungry, so I’ll pass on the snack. It’s late; you should head home and get some rest.”
Matthew, looking at the phone, asked, “Why was Stella’s phone with you?”
Sanford laughed. “Do you know who Stella ran into at the mall today?”
Stella didn’t want to bring up Betsey and Leona. She interrupted, saying, “Sanford, that’s enough.”
Matthew hated not knowing what was going on. He asked, “What happened with Betsey today?”
The recent argument had worn Stella out, and she wasn’t ready for another fight with Matthew. She said, “Matthew, you came Looking for me, so you must already know. Why ask it again?”
“I only believe what you say,” Matthew responded.
Stella thought this was ironic. “If you truly believed me, you wouldn’t have shown up here, jumping to conclusions about me and Sanford.”
Her voice sounded exhausted, and her stomach hurt. Quietly, she said, “Matthew, please let me go. There are cameras and store clerks who saw what happened. If you’re curious, you can check it out yourself.”
With that, she turned and headed back to the ward.
Sanford was determined to give her the food container. “Stella, at Least have a little. You need to keep your strength up.”
A stifling tension settled over the hospital corridor. Sanford stood there, his eyes full of unreadable emotion as he gazed at Stella.
“This is food Kyra made. She asked me to bring it. Stella, if you don’t take it, I won’t be able to explain.” His voice sounded sincere.
Stella paused for a moment before taking the container. “Please thank her for me, and..”
She paused, realizing she didn’t need to say more. Shaking her head, she added, “Never mind. I’ll visit Kyra when Clint’s better.”
She held the container, sensing a warmth inside. She walked to the ward without Looking back at Matthew or Sanford.
Sanford watched her leave, and then turned to Matthew. “Mr. Clark, should we leave together?” His tone was a bit provocative.
Matthew’s expression was tense, his eyes filled with warning. “Stay away from Stella.”
His voice was steady and unfeeling.
Sanford scoffed, a look of disdain crossing his face. “I can’t do that. I knew Stella when she was a child, back when her father was around. He asked me to look after her. I’m just honoring that promise. If it weren’t for unexpected events, maybe Stella wouldn’t have married you.”
It was a lie, but Sanford achieved his goal. As expected, Matthew was furious.
Matthew’s face grew even darker, his eyes filled with rage.
Without saying anything, he Landed a solid punch on Sanford’s face.
Sanford didn’t flinch, yet the sudden punch sent him staggering backward.