When Love Comes Late
Chapter 1970

Silence fell between them.

Suddenly, Bella seemed to be listening to distant conversations in her mind.

She paused, waiting for the voices to diminish.

When the whispers subsided, she approached the photograph again and asked, “Do you have any other pictures?”

With a note of regret in her voice, Alissa replied, “She’s not fond of taking photos.

This one was taken at our graduation.

”

As Alissa spoke, fleeting memories began to stir in Bella’s mind, bringing on a headache that was more intense than before.

She attempted to hold onto those memories, but they evaded her, barely touching the surface of Alissa’s words.

Taking a deep breath, Bella excused herself.

“I’m sorry.

I’m feeling unwell.

I need to go back now.

Let’s schedule another time to meet.

”

Alissa was visibly taken aback.

She had hoped Bella would linger a bit longer, perhaps triggering some recollection.

Yet, seeing her discomfort and knowing she was still under medical care, Alissa chose not to push her.

Instead, she prioritized Bella’s comfort over her own curiosity.

Moreover, Alissa had no concrete evidence to confirm that Bella was indeed the friend she cherished; it was all speculative.

Alissa knew she mustn’t rush to conclusions.

Resignedly, she suggested, “Then we’ll set up another meeting soon.

”

The trio exited the studio.

As the doo

r shut behind them, Bella cast a lingering glance back at it, and then slowly diverted her gaze.

She struggled to define the emotions swirling within her, akin to a deep sense of attachment.

After parting ways with Alissa, Stella accompanied Bella on her way home.

Noticing Bella’s continued pallor, Stella expressed her concern.

“How about I take you to the hospital?”

Bella shook her head, assuring her, “It’s okay.

I’m feeling much better now.

I think I’ll be fully recovered soon.

”

Seeing Bella’s determination, Stella chose not to press further.

Bella closed her eyes, her mind adrift in thought.

She was pondering the photograph from Alissa’s studio.

It seemed she had encountered the girl in the photograph before, somewhere in her scattered memories.

That night, Bella was at home, rummaging through the cabinets and drawers.

This was what Kristian found when he got home.

He suddenly remembered Stella asking about the photos earlier.

At the thought of this, he became wary.

But he pretended to be calm.

He walked up to her and asked, “What are you looking for? Do you need help?”

Bella subconsciously didn’t want to tell Kristian the truth.

She only said, “Nothing.

I suddenly remembered the projects that my studio had done before.

I’m trying to replace them to show them to Stella.

”

Kristian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Then, he reminded her, “Have you forgotten? Most of the documents are still in Dorburn.

You didn’t bring them back with you.

”