Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Sherilyn pulled her hand from his grip, "Let's leave the past in the past. It's pointless to bring it up now."

"How can you say it's pointless?"

Edgar looked into her downcast eyes, feeling a blaze ignite within him. "Things are different now. You and Gilbert broke up... you're single, and I'm free to pursue you."

At his words, Sherilyn felt an unexpected wave of emotion, but no spark of joy.

"Sherilyn," Edgar pressed, his urgency clear, "you might have considered accepting me back then. It's still possible now."

"It's not the same."

Sherilyn didn't hesitate to reject the notion decisively.

Looking into Edgar's earnest eyes, she explained softly, "Back then, there was hope for Jenna's recovery, but now..."

She trailed off, "If Jenna's condition doesn't improve, I might, well, need to have another child."

Edgar's face turned ashen at her words.

He understood what she meant.

Having another child naturally meant with Gilbert...

"But, but..."

Edgar's eyes flickered, his lashes trembling, "Even for Jenna, there are many ways... like IVF..." "Yes, you're right."

Sherilyn didn't deny this, and in fact, had considered the same since her confrontation with Gilbert.

But still...

"Edgar, even so, I can't accept you."

If it came to that point, and she and Gilbert had another child, could she really be with Edgar?

She felt worn by life's trials, while Edgar was still untarnished.

How could she? It would take a shameless person to do so, and she was not that person.

"I don't care!"

Catching her underlying meaning, Edgar was quick to declare, "Life is too short. I just want to spend it with the person I care about!"

"But I care," Sherilyn said, her eyes moistening slightly.

It was out of compassion, compassion for his sincerity.

"It's impossible between us. I came here today to make that clear."

"But, but..."

Edgar was unwilling to give up just like that, "You and Gilbert... you haven't reached that point yet, right?"

The future that hadn't happened yet was unknown to anyone.

Sherilyn was momentarily taken aback by his stubbornness, sighing in resignation, "Edgar, there are plenty of great girls out there. Don't fixate on me, take a look around." en FindNovel

"Heh."

Edgar chuckled bitterly, "But there's only one of you."

His gaze was filled with profound sadness.

Sherilyn looked at him, at a loss for words.

Silence fell between them as the waiter brought their meal. They ate in quiet, finishing the meal that had become somber. Leaving the Cozyroom, tiny snowflakes began to flutter down from the sky.

As Edgar went to fetch the car, Sherilyn looked around and didn't see Gilbert's car. Had he left?

Sherilyn let out a soft, shallow sigh of relief. It was for the best.

Edgar drove her back to the Sunset Ridge Community.

When the car stopped in front of her apartment building, Sherilyn turned to Edgar, her tone solemn, "Let's say goodbye here. Please, don't come looking for me again, and I won't agree to meet you."

Seeing him again would only hurt him.

"Edgar, take care of yourself. Otherwise, I'll always feel guilty."

Guilty for once harboring the thought of accepting him...

Their relationship had ended without issue, but Edgar remained stuck in the past... "Sherilyn."

As she turned to leave, Edgar called out, capturing her attention. He gazed at her almost greedily, as if trying to etch her image into his memory.

"I respect your wishes. I won't pester you or bother you anymore..."